Truly informative but often uninspired.
Discover the story of the man behind Cinco de Mayo.
Born in 1829, Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín grew up desiring to embody the life of a dedicated soldier. Shortly after the U.S.–Mexican War of 1846-1848, he enlisted in the Mexican army at the age of 24. Despite a burgeoning family, Zaragoza remained committed to his military life, eventually achieving the title of commander of the Mexican army and navy. The arrival of the formidable French army—with their superior weaponry and experienced soldiers—in 1862 proved to be the biggest challenge of his life. Amid the deaths of his wife and three of their children due to typhoid, Zaragoza used his knowledge of the terrain and cunning strategies at the Battle of Puebla to best the French army and thus secure his spot in Mexico’s history. Presented in both English and Spanish (the latter via Baeza Ventura’s translation), Gutiérrez’s sober, plain account offers neither a larger-than-life legend nor a multifaceted portrayal. Rather, the author’s version of Zaragoza comes across as an uber-patriot, a man whose worth is mostly measured in military feats. More fascinating are the rare snippets readers receive of the times, like the fact that Zaragoza’s troops consisted of volunteers, including women. In Marchesi’s dutiful artwork, full of sweeping panoramas and figures frozen in conflict, Zaragoza remains a graceful symbol locked in honor.
Truly informative but often uninspired. (Picture book/biography. 4-8)Pub Date: May 31, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-55885-898-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Piñata Books/Arte Público
Review Posted Online: March 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2020
A brief but sweet snapshot of an inspiring girl who finds hope in song.
Through the power of music, Lucimarian Tolliver is reminded of what’s important.
Lucy is one of the only children of African descent on her block—called Lucy Street—in 1930s Akron, Ohio, but all her neighbors share one commonality: poverty. Lucy’s carefree spirit is dampened when her family’s furniture is repossessed one day. She visits her grandfather, who comforts her by singing the folk standard “This Little Light of Mine.” Grandpa tells Lucy that she’s destined for greatness and that she should never stop singing, even through life’s toughest moments. Back at home, Lucy’s father scolds her for singing at the dinner table, so she quickly finishes eating and wanders outside and sings into the night. Her voice reaches her family and neighbors, who are all touched by her song. Digital illustrations evoke the time period in muted tones, featuring endearing characters with simple yet expressive features. The visual subject matter is repetitive from page to page, as are the incorporated lyrics of “This Little Light of Mine.” Based on Lucimarian Tolliver’s experiences growing up during the Depression, the text contains an epilogue but lacks backmatter detailing historical context or more information about Lucy’s life. Though the themes of optimism and the importance of family, faith, and music shine through the text, readers may be left with more questions than answers.
A brief but sweet snapshot of an inspiring girl who finds hope in song. (Picture-book biography. 5-7)Pub Date: May 20, 2025
ISBN: 9780063222540
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
A striking visual representation of how the label “bad reader” can feel.
A slow reader gains confidence.
Strongly influenced by Talbott’s own childhood reading journey, a young tot with a mop of brown hair and pale skin loves art, but reading doesn’t come as naturally. Crayons and colored pencils create imaginative worlds, but the words on a page crowd together, forming an impenetrable wall, with the youngster barely able to peer over. The rest of the class seemingly soars ahead, turning page after page, but the books (in the protagonist’s mind) give chase, flying menacingly like a scene from Hitchcock: “And they were coming for me! / So many words! So many pages!” Talbott expertly captures the claustrophobic crush of unknown vocabulary, first as a downpour of squiggles from the sky, then as a gnarled, dark forest with words lining the branches. But reading slowly doesn’t mean not reading at all. The youngster learns to search for familiar words, using them as steppingstones. And there are advantages: “Slow readers savor the story!” There is even a “Slow Readers Hall of Fame” included, featuring Albert Einstein, Sojourner Truth, and many others. Talbott excels at evincing concepts visually, and this talent is in evidence here as his protagonist first struggles then gains mastery, surfing confidently down a wave of words. Patience and curiosity (along with some fierce determination) can unlock incredible stories. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A striking visual representation of how the label “bad reader” can feel. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 14, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-399-54871-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
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