A tale to get lost in.
While beachcombing, young Cora encounters a merchild stranded on the shore after a storm.
In time, the foundling’s name is revealed as Orpheline, a cognate of orphan, just as Cora echoes coral. The artfulness of these name choices is matched by Phumiruk’s care in illustrating the characters in a realistic style that lends credulity to the blurring of lines between fantasy and reality. Though startled when Cora brings the merbaby home, Mama allows the child to look after Orpheline in cozy domestic scenes of bathtime, play, and bedtime. The story unfolds like Marjorie Newman and Patrick Benson’s Mole and the Baby Bird (2002), evoking the adage “If you love someone, set them free.” Cora does love Orpheline, and though Orpheline comes to love Cora, she longs for her underwater home, with a magical shell around her neck connecting her to her mermaid mother’s voice. Encouraged by Mama, Cora returns Orpheline to the beach after another storm, where a mermother-and-child reunion ensues. The touching conclusion affirms Cora and Orpheline’s lasting connection, their bond represented and enabled by a magical seashell necklace of Cora’s own. Orpheline has peachy skin, light brown hair, and a green fishtail; Cora is pale-skinned with dark hair.
A tale to get lost in. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 10, 2025
ISBN: 9781536226515
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: March 8, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2025
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
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
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