SOMETIMES JUST ONE IS JUST RIGHT

Name: SOMETIMES JUST ONE IS JUST RIGHT
Author: Gayle Byrne
ISBN: 978-0-7892-1129-3

by Gayle Byrne ; illustrated by Mary Haverfield ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2013

While the grass is often greener, only children will get little—positive or negative—out of this attempt at bibliotherapy.

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Byrne’s sophomore effort fills another rather empty niche and looks at the life of an only child.

On the heels of her debut exploring a grandparent-led family (Sometimes It’s Grandmas and Grandpas, Not Mommies and Daddies, 2009), Byrne depicts the unnamed narrator as having mixed feelings about being an only child (another upward demographic trend). While he gets to be the middle of his parents’ snuggle sandwich in bed on Saturday mornings and never has to share the red bowl like the kids in his cousin Nico’s family, it might be nice to always have someone to “watch TV with. Climb trees with. Or spit watermelon seeds at.” Mom and Dad play with the young boy, but when they are called away by the telephone, he is left to play by himself. But not all the examples that Byrne provides will give readers a clear idea of the pros and cons of being an only child; indeed, some seem randomly dropped into the book, and the language is often wishy-washy: “I figure, either way I’m okay. / With other people around / or when it’s just me, / by myself.” What ultimately sinks this, though, is the lack of a story arc. A boy examines his feelings, but there is no crisis or turning point, so the titular declaration rings a little hollow.

While the grass is often greener, only children will get little—positive or negative—out of this attempt at bibliotherapy. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 5, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-7892-1129-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Abbeville Kids

Review Posted Online: April 13, 2013

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
SOMETIMES IT’S GRANDMAS AND GRANDPAS
by Gayle Byrne and illustrated by Mary Haverfield

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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I GOT YOU

by Derrick Barnes ; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2025

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.

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When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.

As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)