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THE LONG SILK STRAND

Name: THE LONG SILK STRAND
Author: Laura Williams
ISBN: 1-56397-236-0

by Laura Williams & illustrated by Grayce Bochak ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1995

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Though set in old Japan, this tale of intergenerational love and memory will be meaningful to any child who has been close to a grandparent. After her beloved grandmother dies, Yasuyo searches for a ball wound from many strands of silk thread, each representing a story from her grandmother's long life. She finds the thread hanging down from the sky, and she climbs it until she finds her grandmother in a realm above the clouds. Only the love of her parents and brother call Yasuyo to earth, although not without a piece of her grandmother's silk with which to begin her own ball of memories. Williams's first picture book, which reads well aloud, has the feel of an old folktale. The lovely illustrations are composed of cut paper and real silk thread, layered and photographed in such a way that shadows produce depth, a technique pioneered by David Wisniewski (Sundiata, 1992, etc.). Here, however, the textures and subtle colors of many different Japanese papers are much more important than intricacy of outline. The open, spacious page design thoughtfully ensures that text (printed in white if the background is dark) does not intrude on the illustrations. Fine story, beautiful art, superior bookmaking. (Picture book. 6-9)

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1995

ISBN: 1-56397-236-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Boyds Mills

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1995

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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LITTLE DAYMOND LEARNS TO EARN

by Daymond John ; illustrated by Nicole Miles ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 21, 2023

It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.

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How to raise money for a coveted poster: put your friends to work!

John, founder of the FUBU fashion line and a Shark Tank venture capitalist, offers a self-referential blueprint for financial success. Having only half of the $10 he needs for a Minka J poster, Daymond forks over $1 to buy a plain T-shirt, paints a picture of the pop star on it, sells it for $5, and uses all of his cash to buy nine more shirts. Then he recruits three friends to decorate them with his design and help sell them for an unspecified amount (from a conveniently free and empty street-fair booth) until they’re gone. The enterprising entrepreneur reimburses himself for the shirts and splits the remaining proceeds, which leaves him with enough for that poster as well as a “brand-new business book,” while his friends express other fiscal strategies: saving their share, spending it all on new art supplies, or donating part and buying a (math) book with the rest. (In a closing summation, the author also suggests investing in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency.) Though Miles cranks up the visual energy in her sparsely detailed illustrations by incorporating bright colors and lots of greenbacks, the actual advice feels a bit vague. Daymond is Black; most of the cast are people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists. (Picture book. 7-9)

Pub Date: March 21, 2023

ISBN: 978-0-593-56727-2

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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J.D. AND THE FAMILY BUSINESS

From the J.D. the Kid Barber series , Vol. 2

by J. Dillard ; illustrated by Akeem S. Roberts ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 3, 2021

A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D.

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Breakout kid barber J.D. embraces a summer of opportunity.

Readers met J.D. Jones just as he took his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, by storm, winning himself community acclaim and a chair at the revered Hart and Sons barbershop in series opener J.D. and the Great Barber Battle(2021). What’s next for the haircut prodigy? School’s just getting out, and there’s so much life happening outside—if only one can escape home learning with the grandparents. J.D.’s sister, Vanessa, brings along multitalented mutual friend Jessyka to share an ambitious challenge: “Let’s start a YouTube channel!” Can they get millions of views and wow the whole world? They are already amazing at haircuts and hairstyles—all they need is to learn how to make a great YouTube video. The story models strategies for scripting short videos reflecting the templates of viral YouTube hair tutorials, inviting readers to not only see the journey of the characters, but maybe also practice these skills at home. This book is bound to educate all about some of the most storied and cherished traditions within the Black community. Bringing in Vanessa is a great touch to extend the series across gender, and hopefully she’ll get a chance to lead her own adventures. This book blends skill-building, entrepreneurship, and strong family values to give young Black children visions of what’s possible when they follow their passions and embrace their community.

A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D. (Fiction. 6-9)