A paean to “shouting,” the holy dancing that occurs in some African-American churches, this evocative picture book pairs a free-form poem with double-page spreads in warm colors and soft textures. Those unfamiliar with the practice may be confused by Thomas’s text, which describes a woman’s religious fervor from her daughter’s point of view and then links shouting to traditional African dance as well as contemporary dance styles. Her author’s note, however, sheds light both on her childhood memories and her adult understanding of this cultural phenomenon. Lee’s paintings are somewhat stylized with limited details and old-fashioned costumes. Her decision to use faceless characters is another potentially puzzling element. However, this choice may allow readers familiar with the practice to see it in a more universal light. Whether enjoyed as a long-overdue validation of personal experience or appreciated as a glimpse into an unknown world, this portrait of an African-American tradition is likely to be warmly welcomed. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2007
ISBN: 0-7868-0664-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2007
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Both a celebration of and an introduction to the mosque.
Children welcome readers into different mosques to learn about varying activities and services that take place in them.
Though many different mosques and children are depicted, the voices call readers’ attention to the similarities among Muslim communities around the world. Yuksel highlights the community eating together; women, men, and children sharing the space and praying together; grandfathers thumbing their tasbihs; grandmothers reading the Quran; aunties giving hugs; children playing. The effect is to demonstrate that a mosque is more than just a building but rather a space where children and adults come together to pray, give, learn, and play. Joyful characters describe what happens in simple, poetic language: “In my mosque, the muezzin’s call to prayer echoes in the air. I stand shoulder to shoulder with my friends, linked like one long chain.” Aly’s bright illustrations pair well with Yuksel’s words, ending with a beautiful spread of children staring at readers, waving and extending their hands: “You are welcome in my mosque.” The variety of mosques included suggests that each has its own unique architecture, but repeating geometric patterns and shapes underscore that there are similarities too. The author’s note guides readers to her website for more information on the mosques depicted; they are not labeled, which is frustrating since the backmatter also includes a tantalizing list of famous mosques on every continent except Antarctica.
Both a celebration of and an introduction to the mosque. (glossary, sources) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 23, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-06-297870-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021
An age-appropriate, biblically grounded, comforting picture book that can help answer kids’ questions about the afterlife.
Emmy Award–winning journalist and ABC News anchor Davis looks at the hereafter through the eyes of a child.
A young, brown-skinned boy is missing his deceased grandmother. “Every day she’s watching over me,” he notes and wonders how he can get to heaven to visit her. He has much he would “like to tell her” and “lots of questions too.” He considers building a staircase to heaven (the artwork depicts one made of Lego bricks), making himself a pair of wings, bouncing his way up to kingdom come using a trampoline, and journeying there via hot air balloon. When the boy, along with his sister and his (apparently) single mom, makes a long-distance trip to visit his grandfather, he hopes their airplane ride will take him to the pearly gates; luckily, it doesn’t! It is only while attending church with his family one day that he finally discovers the single way to get to heaven: “It’s not how far you travel, / or not just the things you do. / It’s all about faith and the grace of God / that brings this gift to you.” A double-page spread goes on to describe how we must live our lives if we want paradise to be our reward, and the book ends with an interesting perspective on heaven that brings readers back down to earth. Davis’ rhyming text is sweet and heartfelt but often struggles for scansion. While no particular religion is mentioned, the book’s point of view is manifestly Christian. Fleming’s bright and airy digital paintings faithfully reproduce the textures of traditional mediums and feed the imagination with forays into gentle whimsy. The main cast of characters is Black; some illustrations include diverse representation.
An age-appropriate, biblically grounded, comforting picture book that can help answer kids’ questions about the afterlife. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-310-77006-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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