A worthy if imperfect read for caregivers looking to introduce different cultures to their children.
Little readers learn how to say “I love you” in different languages.
This board book takes little ones on a tour of the world as rhymes in an abcb scheme explain the different ways cultures say “I love you.” In Italy they say “Ti amo,” while in Egypt there’s “Bahibak,” but little readers will notice that in every culture, no matter what words are said, the characters’ loving expressions stay the same. The phrase “I love you” is set in colored, boldface display type; each different translation is colored differently. The German “Ich liebe dich” is orange, and the Russian “Ya tebya lyublyu” is blue. All of the translations have phonetic spellings beneath them to help caregivers with pronunciation. The loose, line-and-watercolor illustrations feature people of all colors in famous and recognizable locales, emphasizing the expansive world that is still connected by a simple phrase. One drawback is that specific languages are not identified, which may lead readers to conclude that Egyptians speak “Egyptian” and that in both India and China but one language is spoken.
A worthy if imperfect read for caregivers looking to introduce different cultures to their children. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Dec. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5344-0012-2
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Nov. 21, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2018
Fans of the earworm will enjoy Baby Shark’s expanded universe.
Little ones meet Baby Shark’s extended family and friends in this board-book version of the viral online Pinkfong video.
Sensibly, this offering does not attempt to replicate the song, since readers have likely viewed it multiple times if the 3.5 billion views (and counting) are any indication. Each line of this version is shared on a double-page spread featuring a character: Baby Shark, the rest of the Shark family (Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, and Grandpa), and a couple of critters not mentioned in the song (Baby Turtle, a terrified fish named William, and Pinkfong, the brand’s fox logo). The primary text will be meaningful only to readers familiar with the song: “GRANDPA SHARK DOO-DOO-DOO-DOO-DOO-DOO.” A few words about each character and how they relate to Baby Shark accompany their appearance: “Grandpa Shark is wise and smart. He enjoys sharing his cooking skills with Baby Shark.” Rounded tabs at the top and the right margin of the book allow little fingers to easily turn the pages and readily access their favorite spreads. The two-dimensional gum ball–colored art is true to the source, and fans will not be disappointed. While Mommy and Daddy are color-coded in pink and blue, respectively and stereotypically, the rest of the creatures featured are not assigned colors based on gender.
Fans of the earworm will enjoy Baby Shark’s expanded universe. (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06-296589-9
Page Count: 18
Publisher: HarperFestival
Review Posted Online: Oct. 8, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2019
“Your family’s a story / That’s unique and true. // A family is beautiful, / As beautiful as you.” Can't argue with that!
A celebration of the myriad permutations of the all-American family.
The book is similar in tone, design, and message to Saks and Smart’s earlier Families Belong (2020). The many families shown combine to represent a range of racial, ethnic, and gender configurations. The accompanying rhyming verses recognize each family’s circumstances, interests, and activities as unique strengths—neither right nor wrong, just different. In one family, the father lying on the floor to play a board game wears a turban. In another, the blond-bearded man has a pale complexion, the woman is dark-skinned with straight black hair, and the child looks like the woman. The accompanying text reads: “A family can look / The same or maybe not. / Dad’s from somewhere cold. / Mom’s from somewhere hot.” Another verse hints at a family’s refugee status: “Some families were born / In places far away / And traveled all together / To where it’s safe to play.” Single, same-gender, and separated or divorced parents are depicted as well as a multigenerational family. Children familiar with the Noodle Loaf podcast version of the song may be initially confused by the added verses and minor word changes, but the new verses fit the original song’s cadence. Playful, clear, uncluttered graphic illustrations match the text while adding details not mentioned in the verses.
“Your family’s a story / That’s unique and true. // A family is beautiful, / As beautiful as you.” Can't argue with that! (Board book. 1-3)Pub Date: April 6, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-22365-9
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Rise x Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2021
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