Genuine.
This is the story of Ali and his valiant journey to make his beloved great-grandmother’s dream come true.
The two of them lead a simple yet happy life in an unidentified desert (naming conventions and attire suggest the Arabian Peninsula). Their favorite pastime: savoring fresh dates picked from a neighboring century-old palm tree while contemplating the vastness of the night’s starry sky. Curious about his aging great-grandmother’s dreams, Ali realizes that one of them—seeing the ocean—remains unfulfilled. Complicating matters, her age and frail condition are such that she is unlikely to ever be able to make it all the way to the sea on her own. “Great-grandmother,” declares Ali, “I am going to seek the sea for you,” and off he goes, with nothing but water and a few dates for sustenance and a bucket in his hand to collect ocean water, hoping to make it through the four-day round trip and come back with a taste of the sea. Kids of all ages will readily identify with Ali’s manifest affection for and devotion to his grandma. Although adults might worry about the rather impulsive undertaking (reckless, some might say) involving inadequate preparation, frightening nights, and physical pain, children will thrill to Ali’s agency. Chabbert’s style of writing is on a par with Guridi’s minimalist, mixed-media illustrations, remarkably straightforward with no distracting lyricism.
Genuine. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 2, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5253-0124-7
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Kids Can
Review Posted Online: July 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A wonderful, affirming message that kids can’t hear often enough.
Everyone needs a boost now and then.
This delightful little book is the perfect antidote for anyone who’s ever been plagued by self-doubts, felt uncertain, or needed a quick pick-me-up. In other words, everyone. When our spirits flag, we all need to believe there’s someone in our corner ready to offer words of encouragement. Even one person cheering us on can make a world of difference. Filled with digital illustrations created with Parr’s signature bold black lines, ablaze with eye-popping colors that burst from the pages, this charmer proclaims that, no matter what—whether you’re upset because of a bad haircut or a missed soccer goal—“You will always have me!” This assertion appears several times throughout, spelled out in multicolored capital letters and spread across full pages. Can it get better than that? It can, because the declarations are accompanied by brilliantly hued small animals, people, and hearts. This book brims with love, warmth, and good cheer and reminds readers of all ages that all feelings are OK. The author saves the best for last: Love and boost yourself, and remember you have yourself to rely on, too. This empowering winner will also make a delightful gift at baby showers and for new parents.
A wonderful, affirming message that kids can’t hear often enough. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 24, 2024
ISBN: 9780316376228
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 31, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A joyful celebration of Cuban tradition and family ties.
A young Cuban American child visits Abuelo in Cuba and helps him sell fruit in the street.
As Abuelo pushes a cart laden with fruit, they sing out the names of the fruit in the cart: “mango, limón, coco, melón, / naranja, toronja, plátano, piña.” Their happy voices reach far, inviting people to come and purchase. Other street vendors join in, singing out their own wares. The louder they call out, the louder Abuelo must sing. Palacios’ vibrant illustrations beautifully capture the joy and liveliness of the event. The child tells readers, “my favorite visits…are on the eve of el año nuevo” when people buy 12 grapes and make a wish, one for each month of the new year. This child’s wish, reflecting the author’s own leitmotif, is for friendship between the two countries and a time when families on both sides of the narrow strip of ocean that separates them can freely visit. In the author’s note, Engle gives some details on the travel restrictions that keep families apart as well as explaining her choice to use Spanglish in the text. Readers also learn a little more about Cuban street vendors—pregoneros—and the tradition of having grapes on New Year’s Eve. The main character has exuberant wavy black hair and brown skin like Abuelo’s; other characters reflect Cuba’s racial diversity. The story publishes simultaneously in Spanish, with a translation by Alexis Romay. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A joyful celebration of Cuban tradition and family ties. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 3, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5344-4489-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: June 1, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2021
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