A kids’ tale with pleasant lessons but uneven execution.
Galgey’s illustrated children’s book follows a family as they experience the Crazy World theme park.
Young Gwen awakens excitedly and immediately rouses her younger sister, Gabby, with whom she shares a bedroom. Gwen, excited, asks her sibling to guess what day it is. Sleepily, Gabby says, “Wednesday?” and then “Thursday?” Finally, Gwen reminds her that today’s the day they’re going to a local amusement park. The girls quickly dress and go into their parents’ bedroom to wake them up. They say that it’s too early right then, but eventually it’s time to hit the road. At Crazy World, there are lots of rides, cotton candy, and carnival games. Gabby is disappointed that she doesn’t win the latter, but her mom reminds her to be gracious. The girls also go on waterslides, and later in the afternoon, Gabby is extremely excited to go on a large roller coaster called the Big Bad Buster; Gwen is afraid and tells her mom that she might not want to go on it. Mom says that she’s scared, too, but she’ll go on the ride if Gwen does. Soon, the whole family rides the coaster and loves it, and Gwen feels proud that she conquered her fears. Galgey presents a story that effectively emphasizes the support of family members and personal bravery. However, some readers may find the use of word “Crazy” in the name of the park to be ableist. The backgrounds in African’s full-color images have appealing depth and detail, and the family members are portrayed with a realistic range of skin tones. However, there are frequent duplications of character illustrations in different scenes, and the same facial expressions are repeated multiple times, sometimes on consecutive pages.
A kids’ tale with pleasant lessons but uneven execution.Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2023
ISBN: 9798868907746
Page Count: 30
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Dec. 1, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
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
BOOK REVIEW
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.
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)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9780593111451
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
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