by Julie D. Penshorn ; illustrated by Jeanine-Jonee Keith ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 21, 2018
A sparsely written but lovingly illustrated book with a powerful, and empowering, message.
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Children reveal how they find peace in everyday moments in this picture book by Penshorn (The Barnyard Buddies STOP for Peace, 2017) and debut illustrator Keith.
This poetic work emphasizes images over words, opening with attractive, painterly full-color illustrations. Several early pages feature cartoon-style pictures of a child or children, their features rendered with soft edges, as they experience a sense of peace, and these images are accompanied by simple, evocative sentences. One girl faces the ocean, which features dolphins; two friends in an urban setting sit on a sidewalk, bird-watching. Other kids similarly find peace in nature—a sunny, flower-covered meadow; the night sky; a farm in the woods; or even a stream in a city gutter. They find peace in other people, but also conflict among them, so they seek out books or use mindfulness techniques to find peace again. The featured children have skin of various hues; one uses a wheelchair, and another is in a hospital. As a result, a wide range of young readers will be able to find representation in these pages. An extensive afterword helpfully shows adults ways to use the book to engage with youngsters, and the final two pages provide sheet music for Penshorn’s song “I Smile at Myself.”
A sparsely written but lovingly illustrated book with a powerful, and empowering, message.Pub Date: Sept. 21, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-9988691-3-1
Page Count: 34
Publisher: Growing Communities for Peace: Smart Tools for Life
Review Posted Online: Feb. 26, 2019
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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BOOK REVIEW
by Julie D. Penshorn illustrated by Jorry Keith
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Sandra Equihua ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 2016
A nice but not requisite purchase.
A retelling of the classic fairy tale in board-book format and with a Mexican setting.
Though simplified for a younger audience, the text still relates the well-known tale: mean-spirited stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, overworked Cinderella, fairy godmother, glass slipper, charming prince, and, of course, happily-ever-after. What gives this book its flavor is the artwork. Within its Mexican setting, the characters are olive-skinned and dark-haired. Cultural references abound, as when a messenger comes carrying a banner announcing a “FIESTA” in beautiful papel picado. Cinderella is the picture of beauty, with her hair up in ribbons and flowers and her typically Mexican many-layered white dress. The companion volume, Snow White, set in Japan and illustrated by Misa Saburi, follows the same format. The simplified text tells the story of the beautiful princess sent to the forest by her wicked stepmother to be “done away with,” the dwarves that take her in, and, eventually, the happily-ever-after ending. Here too, what gives the book its flavor is the artwork. The characters wear traditional clothing, and the dwarves’ house has the requisite shoji screens, tatami mats and cherry blossoms in the garden. The puzzling question is, why the board-book presentation? Though the text is simplified, it’s still beyond the board-book audience, and the illustrations deserve full-size books.
A nice but not requisite purchase. (Board book/fairy tale. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-7915-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
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adapted by Hannah Eliot ; illustrated by Nivea Ortiz
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Archana Sreenivasan
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by Kobi Yamada ; illustrated by Gabriella Barouch ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 15, 2019
More gift book than storybook, this is a meaningful addition to nursery bookshelves
A young child explores the unlimited potential inherent in all humans.
“Have you ever wondered why you are here?” asks the second-person narration. There is no one like you. Maybe you’re here to make a difference with your uniqueness; maybe you will speak for those who can’t or use your gifts to shine a light into the darkness. The no-frills, unrhymed narrative encourages readers to follow their hearts and tap into their limitless potential to be anything and do anything. The precisely inked and colored artwork plays with perspective from the first double-page spread, in which the child contemplates a mountain (or maybe an iceberg) in their hands. Later, they stand on a ladder to place white spots on tall, red mushrooms. The oversized flora and fauna seem to symbolize the presumptively insurmountable, reinforcing the book’s message that anything is possible. This quiet read, with its sophisticated central question, encourages children to reach for their untapped potential while reminding them it won’t be easy—they will make messes and mistakes—but the magic within can help overcome falls and failures. It’s unlikely that members of the intended audience have begun to wonder about their life’s purpose, but this life-affirming mood piece has honorable intentions. The child, accompanied by an adorable piglet and sporting overalls and a bird-beaked cap made of leaves, presents white.
More gift book than storybook, this is a meaningful addition to nursery bookshelves . (Picture book. 2-8)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-946873-75-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Compendium
Review Posted Online: May 21, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2019
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by Kobi Yamada ; illustrated by Adelina Lirius
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by Kobi Yamada ; illustrated by Charles Santoso
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by Kobi Yamada ; illustrated by Elise Hurst
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