A bouncy celebration of winter.
A trio of children describe the delights of winter…all they need is snow.
A brown-skinned child with close-cropped black hair joins two tights-clad children in long coats, one with olive skin and black braids, the other with pink skin and reddish hair, on a fallen log in a park outside their apartment building. The glum chums are bemoaning the lack of snow: “Snow! Snow! We want snow! / Up to our ankles / Up to our shins / Up to our knees / Up to our chins!” The trio then go on to enumerate all the fun of wintertime play, both outdoors (sledding, snowmen, ice skating, snowballs) and in- (cocoa, a cozy fire, comforters on a bed, stories). The pictures on these pages show the three enjoying time together, with the added magic of some friendly wildlife and fanciful background details that include a castle and an igloo. Back on the log, faces even longer and unneeded winter gear strewn about, the three are startled by sudden flakes. They have snow up to their ankles, shins, knees, and chin (their dachshund’s, at least)! But now: “Snow in our hats / Snow in our hair / Snow in our socks and underwear!” And so the chant for spring begins, the rear copyright page hinting at a possible sequel. Though the meter isn’t consistent, the repeated chorus is catchy, and everyone reading this will recognize kids’ fickle attitudes toward the weather and seasons.
A bouncy celebration of winter. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-53411-075-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2021
A lovely, empowering book about having the courage to express one’s individuality.
A young White boy shares his secret talent with his classmates for the first time.
An unnamed, unidentified narrator, clearly one of the titular protagonist’s schoolmates, explains that every week at Friday Assembly, one student gets to perform for the whole school, an activity called “Sharing Gifts.” Once, Tina played her tuba; another time, Jessie did some magic; Carol delivered a stand-up routine. Now it’s John’s turn, and boy does he look nervous. In short, declarative sentences the text describes John’s preparations for his act. Once on stage, he hesitates as some kids laugh at the musical track accompanying his performance—“strings, violins and things, and then maybe flutes”—then it’s showtime. A succession of wordless, double-page spreads uses continuous narration to showcase the various poses and steps of John’s glorious ballet recital. His facial expression and body language morph as fear gives way to a joyful sense of accomplishment. Young readers will love John’s classmates’ reactions at the ending. Berube’s simple ink-and-paint illustrations have minimal background details, allowing readers to focus squarely on John and his emotions. It is truly wonderful to see a boy character in a children’s book so enthusiastic about, and accomplished at, ballet. Any child, though, who has a talent to share or struggles with performance anxiety will find a role model in John. The children are nicely diverse racially. Their teachers present White.
A lovely, empowering book about having the courage to express one’s individuality. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0395-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This simple and sincere tale of working up courage to face fears makes quite a splash.
Young Jabari decides today is the day he is going to jump from the diving board, even though it’s a little high and a little scary.
Jabari’s father and baby sister accompany him to the swimming pool in the city, where Jabari has already made up his mind about today’s goal: jumping off the diving board. “I’m a great jumper,” he says, “so I’m not scared at all.” But that’s not entirely true. Readers see Jabari play the waiting game as the other children (a diverse bunch) make their ways past him in line. Once Jabari finally begins to climb up, he slyly remembers that he forgot to “stretch.” The stalling techniques don’t faze his dad, who sees an opportunity for a life lesson. “It’s okay to feel a little scared,” offers his dad at the side of the pool. With renewed will, Jabari returns to the towering diving board, ready to embrace the feat. In her debut, Cornwall places her loving black family at the center, coloring the swimming pool and park beyond in minty hues and adding whimsy with digitally collaged newspaper for skyscrapers. A bird’s-eye view of Jabari’s toes clinging to the edge of the diving board as he looks way, way down at the blue pool below puts readers in his head and in the action.
This simple and sincere tale of working up courage to face fears makes quite a splash. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 9, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7636-7838-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: March 5, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2017
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