A tender read-aloud and a valuable discussion-starter.
A child of Caribbean descent follows her busy mother around and learns that love takes many forms.
With the days of the week used as a frame for the story, a girl describes her mother’s various roles: a parent, a nanny, a teacher, a cleaner, a seamstress, a baker, a sister, and more. Their week is filled with activities, from visiting the market to making bread to listening to an aunty call a daughter back home in Antigua. While Mummy does her work and tends to grown folks’ business, she alternates between enlisting the child’s help and shooing her away. On Saturdays, when Mummy cleans the office of a graphic designer, the child gets to take home art supplies Mr. Waters is getting rid of. On Saturday nights, aunts, uncles, and cousins gather and share food. And one Easter Sunday, Mummy brings out a surprise that shows just how much she’s been thinking of and spending time on her own daughters all along. The clever narrative structure conveys a child’s-eye view of a strong maternal relationship despite the hustle and bustle of Mummy’s busy life. Vibrant acrylic paintings use dramatic compositions and whimsical designs to establish the book’s Brooklyn setting. The protagonist’s quest for her mother’s attention is ultimately rewarded with a delightful surprise ending, making for a unique and loving portrait of a close-knit family. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A tender read-aloud and a valuable discussion-starter. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781773068305
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Groundwood
Review Posted Online: Aug. 12, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
PERSPECTIVES
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
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