An unabashedly idealized but nevertheless wholehearted hymn to grandmotherhood (Picture book. 2-4)
The arrival of a new grandchild is joyously celebrated in this grandmotherly ode to their new life together.
Tenderhearted affection is displayed through the softly hued watercolors of furry, cuddly rabbits and is combined with gushing verse recited by one delighted grandmother bunny to her sweet and innocent grandbaby. “The moment I saw you, / I fell in love, / Honey, my bunny, / my sweet turtledove. // Wiggling and giggling, / you captured my heart. / I loved you so much, dear, / right from the start.” Love at first sight deepens as the pages turn, becoming that special relationship of mutual devotion unique to a grandmother and grandchild. While this displays no shortage of greeting-card syrup in its sentiment, its gentleness will make for nice initial read-aloud sessions for the intended audience and an appropriately thoughtful gift from any new grandma to grandchild (as blank lines for inscription, a “special letter” to the grandchild and a picture of grandmother and grandchild attest).
An unabashedly idealized but nevertheless wholehearted hymn to grandmotherhood (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: July 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-58536-836-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: May 14, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A must-read for mothers of young children (and their kids, too).
The story shows all of the ways a mother loves and cares for her children while also needing to take care of herself.
Sloan writes what mothers feel: “This mama needs a minute.” There are books that prepare children for their first day of school, potty training, siblings, and many of life’s earliest milestones. In that tradition, Sloan’s book shows kids how mothers can both love and care for them and also need a little space. She writes, “It doesn’t mean I love you less. Sometimes it just means Mama needs to get dressed.” Truer words have never been written. Sloan simultaneously affirms a mother’s love while also deftly explaining that it’s OK for love to need boundaries—for parents, yes, but also for kids. The comics-style illustrations hit home, like the stubble-legged mama trying to snag a minute to shower. This goes beyond ringing chords with adult readers; it also provides concrete examples of when mama needs that minute. The palette includes pinks, greens, and bright blues, and all of the characters have skin of many nonhuman colors; hair is likewise fancifully colored but always straight. Many of the moms have visible tattoos, a refreshingly realistic detail.
A must-read for mothers of young children (and their kids, too). (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Feb. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5248-5457-7
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2020
A thoughtful and inclusive overview of seasonal celebrations.
A look at the many ways people observe the holiday season.
This rhyming board book serves as a brief introduction to different celebrations. Each two-page layout features a family with items and symbols, such as a menorah or a Christmas tree, as well as a holiday card. Many different types of families are shown getting into the spirit: a single parent and child and a multiracial family, among others. The book includes not only Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, but also “Chrismukkah” (a celebration of both Christmas and Hanukkah). Notably, one spread depicts a family with no holiday symbols; instead, the text wishes readers a cheerful, nonreligious “Season’s Greetings / and Happy New Year!” The illustrations are simple and colorful. Nearly everyone is portrayed with a smile or an open-mouthed grin. Though the art may lack overall sophistication, its inclusive depiction of people gets high marks—in keeping with the book’s spirit of representation, characters range in age, size, ability, and skin tone. While it can be difficult to draw out nuance in a story for toddlers, this book does a lot to underscore the point that family and celebration don’t have singular definitions. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A thoughtful and inclusive overview of seasonal celebrations. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-66592-141-1
Page Count: 16
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
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