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SHIVI'S BIG LEAP

Name: SHIVI'S BIG LEAP
Author: Kritika H. Rao
ISBN: 9781250325334

by Kritika H. Rao ; illustrated by Sandhya Prabhat ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 11, 2025

Peppy encouragement for intrepid youngsters who find themselves in over their heads.

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A boy summons strength and courage as he faces a big obstacle.

One Saturday during his South Asian family’s weekly trip to the rec center, young Shivi announces that he wants to try the climbing wall. “Are you sure?” asks Amma. “I’m Hanuman!” Shivi tells his mother, referring to the Hindu monkey god, whose many powers include a special talent for climbing. Plus, Shivi’s been practicing his dangling, springing, and diving on the swings and the jungle gym, so he’s sure he’s ready. Shivi is thrilled when his parents agree—at least until he’s faced with the reality of how high the wall is for a small boy without magical powers. Shivi then admits how frightened he feels. Only after his parents help him with the rope and harness and remind him how similar he is to Hanuman does Shivi regain his bravery. The book’s vibrant palette and energetic illustrations—in which the green-furred Hanuman capers and cavorts—perfectly complement the sweetly relatable story. Shivi’s evolution is both endearing and believable. Although Shivi’s Amma and Abba are ultimately the ones who set him on the right path, his burgeoning belief in himself is a well-earned and heartwarming payoff. (This review has been updated for factual accuracy.)

Peppy encouragement for intrepid youngsters who find themselves in over their heads. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: March 11, 2025

ISBN: 9781250325334

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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THE MOST MAGNIFICENT THING

by Ashley Spires ; illustrated by Ashley Spires ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2014

Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...

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Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.

First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.

Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: April 1, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Kids Can

Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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BYE BYE, BUTTERFLY
developed by Ashley Spires ; adapted by Naseem Hrab ; illustrated by Mike Shiell

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NO MOUSIE LEFT BEHIND
developed by Ashley Spires ; adapted by Naseem Hrab ; illustrated by Mike Shiell

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THE MOST MAGNIFICENT MAKER'S A TO Z
by Ashley Spires ; illustrated by Ashley Spires

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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...

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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)