Richly meditative.
Amid the immense saguaro cacti of their rancho, an abuelo and grandchild ponder the cycles of life.
“On our rancho there are giants.” As a warm red sun hangs above, the youngster sits on Abuelo’s shoulders, both with arms stretched to the skies beside the saguaros that reach up, too. Abuelo speaks of family and miracles. After all, the cacti have resided on the land for generations, born from seeds, pollinated by hummingbirds, spread by coyotes, and nursed under the shadows of trees. Atop the saguaro’s head and arms, pods of plump fruit blossom, nourishment for people and animals alike. “But why do they take so long to grow?” asks the youngster. A saguaro’s arm can take 50 years to grow, and even more for its flowers to bloom. Abuelo compares the cactus to family—it can take “generations to get where we’re going” and for our own seeds to flower. Writing in a measured, wistful tone, Kemp pulls on the magical underpinnings of the natural world to craft a tale of familial bonds and heritage, centered on a child’s earnest perspective. Likewise, D’Alessandro’s lush artwork favors purples, pinks, and greens to depict rather dreamlike landscapes between grounded scenes of rancho life. Above all, the saguaros loom in different sizes, angles, and impressions. Abuelo and grandchild read Latine.
Richly meditative. (about saguaros) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 13, 2026
ISBN: 9780823459742
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Neal Porter/Holiday House
Review Posted Online: July 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2026
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
BOOK REVIEW
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.
When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.
As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9780593111451
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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