bookshelf

SHINE BRIGHT

Name: SHINE BRIGHT
Author: Kheris Rogers
ISBN: 978-0-06-306478-2

by Kheris Rogers ; illustrated by Mechal Renee Roe ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 27, 2022

A straightforward and supportive work that tackles an important subject with warmth and optimism.

bookshelf

In this picture book from a teen designer and author, a young girl gets advice from her big sister on dealing with hurtful bullying.

Imani is an active, dark-skinned Black child who loves dancing, singing, and skating. She also loves to introduce herself to others at the skate park. But when she hears the others—who include both light-skinned children and those of color—saying, “She’s just so dark,” she becomes sad and goes to her older sister, Crystal, for help. Crystal advises Imani to “shine bright” and persevere and offers words of encouragement that counter the ways the other children made Imani feel, both about her appearance and her abilities. Crystal shows Imani the beauty of her dark skin and demonstrates how much she is loved. The next time Imani goes to the skate park, she chooses to be her positive self. Rogers, 16, explains in the author’s note that she drew on her own experiences with colorism to tell Imani’s story. She makes it clear that this is a story for anyone who has been made to feel bad about some aspect of their skin color, and she uses her own success in modeling and fashion as an example of overcoming difficulties. Rogers handles a difficult topic with a deft touch, and Roe’s colorful digital illustrations pair well with the decidedly upbeat tone of the text. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A straightforward and supportive work that tackles an important subject with warmth and optimism. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-06-306478-2

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

bookshelf

WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

bookshelf

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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

bookshelf

ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Laura Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2016

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of...

bookshelf

Rabe follows a young girl through her first 12 days of kindergarten in this book based on the familiar Christmas carol.

The typical firsts of school are here: riding the bus, making friends, sliding on the playground slide, counting, sorting shapes, laughing at lunch, painting, singing, reading, running, jumping rope, and going on a field trip. While the days are given ordinal numbers, the song skips the cardinal numbers in the verses, and the rhythm is sometimes off: “On the second day of kindergarten / I thought it was so cool / making lots of friends / and riding the bus to my school!” The narrator is a white brunette who wears either a tunic or a dress each day, making her pretty easy to differentiate from her classmates, a nice mix in terms of race; two students even sport glasses. The children in the ink, paint, and collage digital spreads show a variety of emotions, but most are happy to be at school, and the surroundings will be familiar to those who have made an orientation visit to their own schools.

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of Kindergarten (2003), it basically gets the job done. (Picture book. 4-7)