A sporty read best served to avid tennis lovers.
With practice and support from Dad, a tennis-loving child learns to hit a backhand like her idol, Arthur Ashe (1943-1993).
Tennis is the child’s favorite way to bond with her father. As she struggles to master the backhand, Dad reminds her that she has much in common with her hero. They “both stand out sometimes”: The child is one of few students of Korean descent at her school, while Ashe broke racial barriers in the predominantly white world of tennis. Both are persistent, since they “hate to lose.” Dad urges the child to channel Ashe further and “be nicer” to wannabe player Timmy. Watching Ashe gracefully win his match and realizing he “is always nice to the other player,” our protagonist decides to coach Timmy. Yang takes many shots in this short, simple text—perhaps too many. This tale is part ode to Dad, part treatise on kindness, part reflection on skill mastery; each of these threads could provide a strong frame. Combined, they feel slightly diluted. Arthur Ashe also gets a somewhat muted introduction. While extolled in a lively author’s note as someone who spoke against injustice, within the text he feels like a collection of mild pleasantries. The digital art is groovy fun, however, with retro mid-century modern televisions and old-school tennis garb. Brighter main characters pop against matte backgrounds. Tennis games feel appropriately kinetic; readers will cheer when the child finally conquers that backhand swing.
A sporty read best served to avid tennis lovers. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2026
ISBN: 9780593693100
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: April 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
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
Not astonishingly go-out-and-buy-it-at-graduation inspirational, but all it takes is one seed of change to be planted.
Imagination soars—quite literally—when a little girl follows her own set of rules.
Every year Oak Hill School has a go-kart race called the Going Places contest. Students are given identical go-kart kits with a precise set of instructions. And of course, every single kart ends up exactly the same. Every one, that is, except Maya’s. Maya is a dreamy artist, and she would rather sketch birds in her backyard than get caught up in the competition. When she finally does start working, she uses the parts in the go-kart box but creates something completely different. No one ever said it had to be a go-kart. Maya’s creative thinking inspires Rafael, her neighbor (and the most enthusiastic Going Places contestant), to ask to team up. The instructions never say they couldn’t work together, either! An ode to creativity and individuality to be sure, but the Reynolds brothers are also taking a swipe at modern education: Endless repetition and following instructions without question create a culture of conformity. Hopefully now, readers will see infinite possibility every time the system hands them an identical go-kart box.
Not astonishingly go-out-and-buy-it-at-graduation inspirational, but all it takes is one seed of change to be planted. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4424-6608-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Jan. 14, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
