A well-meaning effort spoiled by problematic framing.
A peek at contemporary and historical figures with disabilities.
Holub introduces young readers to 10 racially diverse people, deeming each a “little wonder.” Subjects’ disabilities include limb difference, blindness, and Down syndrome; individuals covered have flourished in fields such as music, sports, and law. On each spread, a singsong rhyme notes the subject’s accomplishment on the verso. On the recto, two sentences provide further background, accompanied by a friendly, bobble-headed caricature. An entry on American scientist Temple Grandin notes, “This little wonder / helps us to understand / the behavior of animals / raised on farmland”; on the facing page, a smiling Grandin pats a cow as the text explains that her “sensitivity to sound and touch due to autism has helped her suggest better ways of treating animals.” Other subjects include Irish author and artist Christy Brown, who had cerebral palsy and used his toes to write and paint, and Indian American musician Sujeet Desai, the first person with Down syndrome to perform at Carnegie Hall. Illustrated with cartoon headshots, condensed nods to 15 additional figures include enslaved American abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who had epilepsy, and Chinese Paralympic wheelchair fencer Alison Yu Chui Yee. Unfortunately, the author’s characterization of successful disabled people as “wonders” suggests that their achievements are surprising, casting a patronizing pall over the ensemble. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A well-meaning effort spoiled by problematic framing. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Aug. 16, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-66591-206-8
Page Count: 26
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Good concept and illustrations; best for households familiar with the observance.
Children can count from one to 10 with items related to the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead.
Joyful and energy-filled illustrations portray different people and objects that are part of the holiday. No. 1 is a comparsa, here described simplistically as “a carnival-like celebration” though a comparsa is not a celebration but a defined group of people that take part in the celebration. The other items are two catrinas, three “photographs of the departed,” four crowns of flowers, five musicians, six pan de muertos (“bread of the dead”), seven marigolds, eight candles, nine papel picado (“tissue paper art”), and 10 sugar skulls. For each item, readers must find the required number within the illustration. Some are easier than others, but all will have children looking and taking in the myriad details to be found in each double-page spread. At the end, the author has included 10 additional objects for children to go back and look for in the illustrations. The backmatter also includes a little information on each item. Children acquainted with this holiday will recognize the familiar objects; children for whom this is a new holiday will need some adult guidance, as the book gives no explanation for the reason for the holiday. Though most of people portrayed sport masks, the skin tones perceived range from pink to different shades of brown.
Good concept and illustrations; best for households familiar with the observance. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: Aug. 18, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4236-5426-1
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Gibbs Smith
Review Posted Online: Aug. 31, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2020
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