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THE YELLOW ÁO DÀI

Name: THE YELLOW ÁO DÀI
Author: Hanh Bui
ISBN: 9781250842060

by Hanh Bui ; illustrated by Minnie Phan ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 25, 2023

A charming contemporary celebration of family and heritage.

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A young child connects with her Vietnamese heritage and family traditions.

It’s almost International Day at Naliah’s school, and she’s nervously excited. She’ll be sharing the Fan Dance, a traditional Vietnamese dance that she learned “from her mother, who had learned it from her mother.” Grandmother even led the dance in her village’s Mid-Autumn Festival, and Naliah wants to get it just right. When Naliah discovers her special yellow áo dài no longer fits, she heads into her mom’s room to find another. Among the rainbow of options stands out a yellow áo dài “the color of happiness and forsythia blossoms.” As Naliah practices in the oversized dress, she tears a hole. When her mother gives her a new dress and shares that her own special yellow áo dài was Grandmother’s, Naliah is filled with guilt. But her mother introduces a new tradition with Naliah as they mend the dress just as Grandmother did when Naliah’s mother ripped the same dress. Inspired by her daughter and mother-in-law, Bui weaves a tender tale of a family honoring memories and heirlooms but also creating new traditions. Phan’s buoyant and beautiful illustrations convey the protagonist’s emotions. Images flow across the page, evoking the fluidity of áo dàis, dance, butterflies, rippling blue waters, and lily pads. The recurring motifs and details like a hopping pet rabbit joining the fun add playfulness. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A charming contemporary celebration of family and heritage. (author’s note, glossary) (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 25, 2023

ISBN: 9781250842060

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Review Posted Online: Feb. 7, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
ÁNH'S NEW WORD
by Hanh Bui ; illustrated by Bao Luu

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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)