A simple, heartfelt story about embracing the holiday spirit.
An illustrated book for young readers about the magic of Santa Claus.
A group of young girls learn the truth about Santa in this holiday-themed book. Readers meet Kim, Deborah, Maria, Wanda, and Xyla as they prepare for various celebrations in December. Deborah plans for Hannukah, Maria makes tamales, Kim unearths her mother’s Christmas decorations, Wanda gathers her Kwanzaa kinara and candles, and Xyla counts down to the winter solstice. Despite their different traditions, all the girls are eager to write letters to Santa. Suddenly, Kim’s older sister breaks the news that Santa isn’t real. The shocked girls realize the adults in their lives have been lying to them. The group heads to the mall to disseminate this devastating information with kids waiting in line to visit Santa. There, an elderly woman shares the story of St. Nicholas, a devout fourth-century Christian who used his inheritance to help those in need. After St. Nicholas’ death on December 6, people gave one another gifts to honor his generosity. His story was shared all over the world and evolved into what people now know as Santa Claus. “We are the spirit of Santa,” the old woman concludes. “Adults keep the spirit of Santa alive for their children until they are old enough to know it is now their turn to be Santas for others.” The girls embrace this idea and brainstorm how they can become Santas. They decide to craft handmade gifts for their loved ones. Lee’s cartoon-style illustrations are colorful, bold, and expressive. The author also describes holiday traditions, like the meaning of Kwanzaa candles, in a clear way that young readers will comprehend. Some quips might confuse young readers, however, like when Wanda confronts her parents about Santa; they reply, “Honey, it’s time we talk about fat old white men and the narrative of their benevolence.” While Lee centers diversity in the book, she also falls prey to stereotypes; Kim, who appears to be Asian, receives a math book every Christmas, and her mother speaks broken English. It’s also unclear why children who celebrate Hannukah and Kwanzaa are so fixated on Santa-related (and Christian-adjacent) mythology. The message of generosity, however, is clearly and warmly conveyed.
A simple, heartfelt story about embracing the holiday spirit.Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9781737563556
Page Count: 78
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Aug. 24, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This frenetic ode to fatherhood is predictable fare but may please series fans.
It’s time to look for the elusive Daddysaurus.
In this latest installment in the seemingly never-ending series about a group of diverse kids attempting to trap mythical creatures, the youngsters are now on the lookout for a big mauve dinosaur with an emblazoned D on his stomach and a superhero cape. The fast-moving Daddysaurus is always on the go; he will be difficult to catch. Armed with blueprints of possible ideas, the kids decide which traps to set. As in previous works, ones of the sticky variety seem popular. They cover barbells with fly paper (Daddysaurus like to exercise) and spread glue on the handle of a shovel (Daddysaurus also likes to garden). One clever trick involves tempting Daddysaurus with a drawing of a hole, taped to the wall, because he fixes everything that breaks. Daddysaurus is certainly engaged in the children’s lives, not a workaholic or absent, but he does fall into some standard tropes associated with fathers. The rhyming quatrains stumble at times but for the most part bounce along. Overall, though, text and art feel somewhat formulaic and likely will tempt only devotees of the series. The final page of the book (after Daddysaurus is caught with love) has a space for readers to write a note or draw a picture of their own Daddysaurus. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
This frenetic ode to fatherhood is predictable fare but may please series fans. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 1, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-72826-618-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
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