An engaging slice of American history from the perspective of students at a segregated school.
An English-language learner has a close encounter with a first lady during her visit to a Mexican American segregated school in this picture book.
When Teresa and Licha see men in “funeral suits” across from their school, they’re surprised to discover that President Lyndon B. Johnson plans to visit the students. Teresa is in awe when Lady Bird Johnson appears with her husband on stage. After the first lady drops a glove, Teresa rushes to pick it up—and is pulled aside by the Secret Service. But Lady Bird calms everyone down and thanks the girl in Spanish, the language that Teresa’s teachers forbid students to use during school days. Inspired, Teresa and Licha decide they will be a future president and vice president, and they will dress as stylishly as Lady Bird. Gerónima Garza packs tons of historical details into a short book, bringing to life a frequently skipped, true moment of history: The only visit of a United States president to a Mexican American segregated school. The author includes Spanish words in the text, with a glossary at the end to assist readers. The moment when Lady Bird breaks “the Spanish rule!” reveals the era’s prejudices and credits those fighting for equality. Noé Gonzalez Garza’s oil pastel images are realistic depictions, especially of the public figures. But Teresa’s and Licha’s faces are inconsistent across the pages, which may leave readers scratching their heads.
An engaging slice of American history from the perspective of students at a segregated school.Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-73641-820-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Del Alma Publications, LLC
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.
How to raise money for a coveted poster: put your friends to work!
John, founder of the FUBU fashion line and a Shark Tank venture capitalist, offers a self-referential blueprint for financial success. Having only half of the $10 he needs for a Minka J poster, Daymond forks over $1 to buy a plain T-shirt, paints a picture of the pop star on it, sells it for $5, and uses all of his cash to buy nine more shirts. Then he recruits three friends to decorate them with his design and help sell them for an unspecified amount (from a conveniently free and empty street-fair booth) until they’re gone. The enterprising entrepreneur reimburses himself for the shirts and splits the remaining proceeds, which leaves him with enough for that poster as well as a “brand-new business book,” while his friends express other fiscal strategies: saving their share, spending it all on new art supplies, or donating part and buying a (math) book with the rest. (In a closing summation, the author also suggests investing in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency.) Though Miles cranks up the visual energy in her sparsely detailed illustrations by incorporating bright colors and lots of greenbacks, the actual advice feels a bit vague. Daymond is Black; most of the cast are people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists. (Picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: March 21, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-56727-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
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