by Kathryn Lasky ; illustrated by Johnson Yazzie ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 6, 2022
Though not without a misstep, this is a charming picture book that blends two rarely combined cultures.
In the 19th-century American Southwest, a Jewish boy from Russia befriends a Navajo boy.
Yossel’s family is fleeing Russia to avoid the soldiers of the czar. They sail first to New York, then take a train to Topeka and another to Santa Fe, and finally travel by horse-drawn covered freight wagon to a Navajo reservation. Uncle Izzy left Yossel’s family his trading post when he died, and now they’re responsible for selling “coffee and beans and seed” to their neighbors. Eight-year-old Yossel learns some English and Navajo from listening to the customers but doesn’t speak to anyone until he meets Thomas, a Navajo boy. Stylized illustrations depict the boys playing with Star Eye the sheep, eating blintzes, and having a sleepover at Thomas’ hogan. Yazzie’s warm acrylics in bright pinks, blues, and yellows paint the setting in the colors of desert sunshine (even Russia and New York seem Southwestern, with New York homes that “rub shoulders” illustrated as pink-trimmed, greenery-draped, single-story cottages). Given Yossel’s history as someone forced to flee his home due to ethnic violence, it’s a surprise to see none of the parallel story for Thomas (during roughly the time of the forced deportation of the Navajo by the U.S. government). Instead, this is a pleasing, sun-drenched tale of friendship in a new place. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Though not without a misstep, this is a charming picture book that blends two rarely combined cultures. (author’s note, further reading) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-62354-176-7
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022
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by Christina Geist ; illustrated by Tim Bowers ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 12, 2022
Making friends isn’t always this easy and convenient.
How do you make a new friend when an old one moves away?
Buddy (from Sorry, Grown-Ups, You Can’t Go to School, 2019, etc.) is feeling lonely. His best friend just moved across town. To make matters worse, there is a field trip coming up, and Buddy needs a bus partner. His sister, Lady, has some helpful advice for making a new pal: “You just need to find something you have in common.” Buddy loves the game Robo Chargers and karate. Surely there is someone else who does, too! Unfortunately, there isn’t. However, when a new student arrives (one day later) and asks everyone to call her Sunny instead of Alison, Buddy gets excited. No one uses his given name, either; they just call him Buddy. He secretly whispers his “real, official name” to Sunny at lunch—an indication that a true friendship is being formed. The rest of the story plods merrily along, all pieces falling exactly into place (she even likes Robo Chargers!), accompanied by Bowers’ digital art, a mix of spot art and full-bleed illustrations. Friendship-building can be an emotionally charged event in a child’s life—young readers will certainly see themselves in Buddy’s plight—but, alas, there is not much storytelling magic to be found. Buddy and his family are White, Sunny and Mr. Teacher are Black, and Buddy’s other classmates are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Making friends isn’t always this easy and convenient. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: July 12, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-30709-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: March 29, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2022
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by Christina Geist ; illustrated by Tim Bowers
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by Christina Geist ; illustrated by Tim Bowers
by Jory John ; illustrated by Pete Oswald ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 26, 2024
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.
The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.
Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)Pub Date: March 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780063329560
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
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