When Mom goes to dinner with a friend and leaves them with Dad, the gaptoothed narrator and his little sister feel so out of sorts that they begin to squabble—but not for long. These lucky kids have a humongous dad who enjoys roughhousing as much as they do. ``You are about to be hugged by an octopus!'' he announces, counting to eight as he wraps the boy in his arms. When he sings ``Rock-a-bye, Baby,'' somehow everyone falls, laughing, out of the rocker; before he packs the children into bed, still giggling, he's also been a tree for them to climb, a monster, and a horse. Palmer, who's worked as a political cartoonist, represents this ebullient African-American family with appropriately broad humor and enthusiasm. A likable book that's sure to start kids romping, and maybe their parents, too. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 23, 1993
ISBN: 1-56397-034-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1993
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A joyful celebration of Cuban tradition and family ties.
A young Cuban American child visits Abuelo in Cuba and helps him sell fruit in the street.
As Abuelo pushes a cart laden with fruit, they sing out the names of the fruit in the cart: “mango, limón, coco, melón, / naranja, toronja, plátano, piña.” Their happy voices reach far, inviting people to come and purchase. Other street vendors join in, singing out their own wares. The louder they call out, the louder Abuelo must sing. Palacios’ vibrant illustrations beautifully capture the joy and liveliness of the event. The child tells readers, “my favorite visits…are on the eve of el año nuevo” when people buy 12 grapes and make a wish, one for each month of the new year. This child’s wish, reflecting the author’s own leitmotif, is for friendship between the two countries and a time when families on both sides of the narrow strip of ocean that separates them can freely visit. In the author’s note, Engle gives some details on the travel restrictions that keep families apart as well as explaining her choice to use Spanglish in the text. Readers also learn a little more about Cuban street vendors—pregoneros—and the tradition of having grapes on New Year’s Eve. The main character has exuberant wavy black hair and brown skin like Abuelo’s; other characters reflect Cuba’s racial diversity. The story publishes simultaneously in Spanish, with a translation by Alexis Romay. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A joyful celebration of Cuban tradition and family ties. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 3, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5344-4489-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: June 1, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2021
On Rakhi Day in August, Arun explains the Indian holiday to his best friend Michael and tells him that it celebrates the bond of brothers and sisters. Arun wishes he had a sister, and in October, his parents tell him that they are going to adopt a baby girl named Asha from his father’s birthplace, India. Arun loves making paper airplanes and pretends that they are flying his sister home to him. As the months come and go, pictures arrive in the mail, but telephone calls let the family know that the paperwork is not yet through. Finally, during the summer, the letter the family has been waiting for arrives. Arun’s dad flies off to pick Asha up, carrying with him a colorful airplane Arun has made for his new sister. Father and daughter arrive home with a special gift for Arun—a rakhi, a special bracelet for him to wear on Rakhi Day. Appealing illustrations and warm, clear text make this story of a biracial family—Arun’s mother is white and his father is Indian—and international adoption a good choice for any collection. (author’s note) (Picture book. 5-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2006
ISBN: 1-58430-259-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Lee & Low Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2006
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