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ONE SUMMER UP NORTH

Name: ONE SUMMER UP NORTH
Author: John Owens
ISBN: 978-1-5179-0950-5

by John Owens ; illustrated by John Owens ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 15, 2020

A trip worth taking.

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A family wordlessly paddles, camps, and wanders their way through the Boundary Waters between Minnesota and Canada.

A double-page spread depicts an interracial family in a station wagon, small in scale against the vastness of the surrounding forest. (One parent has brown skin and straight, black hair while the other parent presents White; the child has straight, black hair and light-brown skin.) A canoe sits atop the vehicle, a pop of red against the greenery. The page turn takes the passengers further down a dirt road. A sign declares the land the B.W.C.A Wilderness of the Superior National Forest. On the next page, the family of three—wearing life jackets and with hiking packs heaped around—is in the canoe, rowing past lily pads and into a lake. Their adventure continues as they portage their canoe and find a campsite before rain and night fall. For a few days, the family continues their excursion—tender moments aplenty—until finally changing course to go back the way they came. Though the outdoor setting and story will have wide appeal, Owens’ attention to detail adds a distinctly Minnesotan flair. In particular, the careful inclusion of local flora and fauna—such as blueberries, birch trees, bald eagles, and moose—suggests firsthand experience. The wordless text evokes the peaceful quiet of being outdoors, culminating in a particularly beautiful spread of a starry sky. The illustrations, rich with textured lines and a distinctive color palette, effectively capture the majestic scenery. Double-page spreads with landscape orientation heighten the sense of distance traveled.

A trip worth taking. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-5179-0950-5

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Univ. of Minnesota

Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
ONE WINTER UP NORTH
by John Owens ; illustrated by John Owens

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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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I GOT YOU

by Derrick Barnes ; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2025

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.

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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)