An all-around wonderful book that will inspire laughter and perhaps even a little dancing.
Kai lacks rhythm and, therefore, a dance nickname.
When Auntie Nina announces that she’s getting married, Kai gets to work practicing his dance moves in hopes of earning that nickname. In their African American family, Granddad gives everyone a nickname based on their electric slide dance moves. Baby sister Ava is dubbed “Baby Bounce,” big sister Myla is “Miss Boogie,” and older brother D.J. is “D.J. Groove,” but Kai has yet to receive his. He is haunted by the memory of the time he couldn’t figure out the dance moves and knocked over his little cousin. Determined to earn his nickname, Kai turns to his family for help, which they kindly provide. Despite this help, his desperation, and weeks of practice, when the big moment finally arrives, Kai slips away from the reception. What Kai doesn’t know is that his new uncle Troy is also looking forward to his dance nickname, and he convinces Kai to return to the reception, where they will earn those new nicknames together. Kai’s efforts to learn the electric slide are hilarious, making this story as much fun as the dance. The illustrations capture Kai in various states of confusion and dizziness and are sure to get giggles from readers. The underlying messages of familial closeness and perseverance serve as a foundation for the humor of the story and recall Kelly Starling Lyons and Daniel Minter’s Going Down Home With Daddy (2019).
An all-around wonderful book that will inspire laughter and perhaps even a little dancing. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 2, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-64379-052-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Lee & Low Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021
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
This warm family story is a splendid showcase for the combined talents of Medina, a Pura Belpré award winner, and Dominguez,...
Abuela is coming to stay with Mia and her parents. But how will they communicate if Mia speaks little Spanish and Abuela, little English? Could it be that a parrot named Mango is the solution?
The measured, evocative text describes how Mia’s español is not good enough to tell Abuela the things a grandmother should know. And Abuela’s English is too poquito to tell Mia all the stories a granddaughter wants to hear. Mia sets out to teach her Abuela English. A red feather Abuela has brought with her to remind her of a wild parrot that roosted in her mango trees back home gives Mia an idea. She and her mother buy a parrot they name Mango. And as Abuela and Mia teach Mango, and each other, to speak both Spanish and English, their “mouths [fill] with things to say.” The accompanying illustrations are charmingly executed in ink, gouache, and marker, “with a sprinkling of digital magic.” They depict a cheery urban neighborhood and a comfortable, small apartment. Readers from multigenerational immigrant families will recognize the all-too-familiar language barrier. They will also cheer for the warm and loving relationship between Abuela and Mia, which is evident in both text and illustrations even as the characters struggle to understand each other. A Spanish-language edition, Mango, Abuela, y yo, gracefully translated by Teresa Mlawer, publishes simultaneously.
This warm family story is a splendid showcase for the combined talents of Medina, a Pura Belpré award winner, and Dominguez, an honoree. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6900-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2015
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