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ZEBRA ON THE GO

Name: ZEBRA ON THE GO
Author: Jill Nogales
ISBN: 978-1-56145-911-7

by Jill Nogales ; illustrated by Lorraine Rocha ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2017

What a circus show, indeed! (Picture book. 4-8)

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An outraged lion chases a clever zebra out of the circus and into a wild outdoor escapade.

Told in a bouncing rhyme, the story opens at the beginning of Fierce Lion and Speedy Zebra’s circus act, just before Zebra accidentally stomps a hoof down on Lion’s toe. In light meter and rapid rhymes, readers learn that Lion becomes furious: “Lion roaring, temper soaring. / Zebra darting, crowd is parting. // Away he’s racing, Lion’s chasing. / Zebra on the go!” Out of the circus tent, through traffic, toward an oceanside park runs Zebra, with Lion on his heels. Following closely behind is the full circus menagerie: elephants, giraffes, monkeys, clowns, acrobats, prancing bears, and their worried ringleader among others. In pursuit—zigzagging along the pier, down the beach, and onto boats—it appears Lion may finally catch up to Zebra; however, Lion’s unreliable, inflatable craft is punctured by a narwhal, and he begins to sink along with it. Offering zippy rhymes and a sweet lesson in friendship, Nogales’ story will unquestionably stand as a solid read-aloud that is equally entertaining for both adults and children. Rocha’s clever illustrations, diverse characters, and abundant search-and-find treats adorn every page and bring the raucous event to life. For exceptionally perceptive observers, following the circus-act pandemonium will be just as entertaining as the central chase. Readers will surely revisit this book closely.

What a circus show, indeed! (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 1, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-56145-911-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Peachtree

Review Posted Online: Jan. 16, 2017

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2017

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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LITTLE MELBA AND HER BIG TROMBONE

by Katheryn Russell-Brown ; illustrated by Frank Morrison ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2014

Readers will agree that “Melba Doretta Liston was something special.” (Picture book. 4-8)

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Bewitched by the rhythms of jazz all around her in Depression-era Kansas City, little Melba Doretta Liston longs to make music in this fictional account of a little-known jazz great.

Picking up the trombone at 7, the little girl teaches herself to play with the support of her Grandpa John and Momma Lucille, performing on the radio at 8 and touring as a pro at just 17. Both text and illustrations make it clear that it’s not all easy for Melba; “The Best Service for WHITES ONLY” reads a sign in a hotel window as the narrative describes a bigotry-plagued tour in the South with Billie Holiday. But joy carries the day, and the story ends on a high note, with Melba “dazzling audiences and making headlines” around the world. Russell-Brown’s debut text has an innate musicality, mixing judicious use of onomatopoeia with often sonorous prose. Morrison’s sinuous, exaggerated lines are the perfect match for Melba’s story; she puts her entire body into her playing, the exaggerated arch of her back and thrust of her shoulders mirroring the curves of her instrument. In one thrilling spread, the evening gown–clad instrumentalist stands over the male musicians, her slide crossing the gutter while the back bow disappears off the page to the left. An impressive discography complements a two-page afterword and a thorough bibliography.

Readers will agree that “Melba Doretta Liston was something special.” (Picture book. 4-8)