A brief guide that sends wholesome messages to young males of color.
Boys and young men of color get encouraging messages in a cross-genre nonfiction book with the theme, “You can be whatever you want to be.”
At first glance, Sims’ debut looks like a picture book for young children—it has just 40 heavily illustrated pages, many with only a line or two of text. But a deeper dive reveals that it’s also a workbook that offers young readers tools for applying its upbeat message that boys of color can set and achieve goals. “You come from royal lineage,” he says early on. Some tips provide guidance on dealing with strong emotions: “It’s ok to mess up, to feel sad, to cry, to be anxious and to even be fearful….We are all human, and these things happen to us all.” Others give young readers practical advice about minding their manners and looking for people who can help them reach their goals (“befriend people who will push you to the next level”). Sims encourages friendship (“Other Young Kings are your brothers”) and touches on heterosexual romance: “If you like a young lady and she does not like you, it’s totally fine! Someone else may actually like you now or like you in the future.” He also encourages boys and men to have faith: “When you have no one else, remember you always have God and yourself.” His guide has workbooklike features—which leave space for writing down short- and long-term goals—and includes questions that encourage readers to take stock of their feelings: “What makes you happy and sad? Who inspires you? What do you want to grow up to be?” Bonfiglio’s many bold illustrations generally complement the text nicely, depicting boys enjoying varied activities (such as meditating or listening to music) or showing emotions (such as crying or exulting after a sports victory). Some people may wish, however, that the text and pictures were more inclusive: The section on faith, for example, shows a boy praying with his hands steepled and doesn’t suggest that other young men might pray on mats or elsewhere.
A brief guide that sends wholesome messages to young males of color.Pub Date: May 13, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-09-763194-0
Page Count: 46
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: March 2, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
Engaging, well-chosen images and a clear, coherent text illuminate the importance of empathy for the world’s inhabitants.
Large color photographs (occasionally composed of montages) and accessible, simple text highlight global similarities and differences, always focusing on our universal connections.
While child readers may not recognize Manzano, the Puerto Rican actress who played Maria on Sesame Street, adults will recognize her as a trusted diverse voice. In her endnote, she explains her desire to “encourage lively conversations about shared experiences.” Starting out with the familiar, home and community, the text begins with “How many WONDERFUL PEOPLE do you know?” Then it moves out to the world: “Did you know there are about 8 BILLION PEOPLE on the planet?” The photo essay features the usual concrete similarities and differences found in many books of this type, such as housing (a Mongolian yurt opposite a Hong Kong apartment building overlooking a basketball court), food (dumplings, pizza, cotton candy, a churro, etc.), and school. Manzano also makes sure to point out likenesses in emotions, as shown in a montage of photos from countries including China, Spain, Kashmir (Pakistan/India), and the United States. At the end, a world map and thumbnail images show the locations of all photos, revealing a preponderance of examples from the U.S. and a slight underrepresentation for Africa and South America.
Engaging, well-chosen images and a clear, coherent text illuminate the importance of empathy for the world’s inhabitants. (Informational picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4263-3738-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: National Geographic Kids
Review Posted Online: May 2, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2020
Anemic messages of hope from an iconic activist.
Civil rights legend Bridges encourages young people to persevere.
After becoming the face of school integration at just 6 years old, Bridges continued to further her legacy by visiting schools across the U.S. Over the past 25 years, she has received letters from thousands of students with “ideas and concerns that ran deeper than we grown-ups gave them credit for.” In her latest book for kids, Bridges responds to notes from children grappling with political and social crises, including anti-Asian racism, climate change, and gun violence. The issues that matter to young Americans come alive in Cabuay’s energetic illustrations, which make deft use of color and texture. On one spread, a short, brown-skinned child named Tala, bullied for being short, strides confidently down a school hallway past classmates who whisper and laugh. In the accompanying letter, Tala talks about drawing strength from Bridges’ bravery; Bridges’ reply emphasizes that “it’s okay to be different because what really matters is your heart and what’s inside!” The correspondences are brief, barely skimming the surface, and Bridges’ messages are too general to have a genuine impact. Backmatter, which includes a glossary with pronunciation guides, is helpful but does little to connect Bridges’ historic contributions to the issues young people are facing today. This picture book’s superficial discussion of important topics doesn’t live up to Bridges’ advocacy or Cabuay’s dynamic art.
Anemic messages of hope from an iconic activist. (more information on Bridges) (Picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: Jan. 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781338753912
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Oct. 7, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2023
SEEN & HEARD
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