An appealing set of tales with wise lessons for young readers.
Kareen presents an illustrated chapter book for children about being creative and being yourself.
Bernadette, nicknamed B, describes herself as “an ordinary ten-year-old girl” who marches “to the beat of [her] own drum.” In this book, she narrates a series of accounts of her life experiences and reveals the lessons she learned about being adventurous, patient, and a role model for others. In “B Adventurous,” she goes with her family to a sushi restaurant, where the owner is very busy. After B orders her usual California roll, she’s concerned when she receives something different: “Big fat fish eggs, this slippery eel-looking thing, baby octopus, and these teeny tiny red eggs.” She doesn’t want to eat the meal, but she also doesn’t want to bother the busy owner. A little girl at a neighboring table taps her on the shoulder and says the fish eggs are delicious and urges B to try them. B does, and, of course, she loves them. “B Yourself” relates another important lesson for children; in it, B’s family has just moved, and she’s starting at a new school. The girls in her class ask B if she likes fashion like they do. B says yes, but she really doesn’t, and she soon wonders what she’s gotten herself into. She decides to be true to herself the next day by wearing her “old worn-out horse shirt.” Although the fashion fans giggle at her, B meets another girl who loves horses like she does. Additional stories round out Kareen’s book, offering more clearly narrated lessons for young readers. Youngsters will easily relate to 10-year-old B and learn from her stories. A notable aspect of this book is that the chapters can easily be read in any order, so children won’t feel pressure to read them all in one sitting. The lessons may also be valuable in a classroom setting, as they effectively model positive character traits. Simioni’s simple grayscale images nicely complement the stories’ events; they portray B with pale skin and blond hair.
An appealing set of tales with wise lessons for young readers.Pub Date: June 14, 2023
ISBN: 9781998754250
Page Count: 98
Publisher: YGTMEdia Co.
Review Posted Online: June 20, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This outing lacks the sophistication of such category standards as Clementine; here’s hoping English amps things up for...
A gentle voice and familiar pitfalls characterize this tale of a boy navigating the risky road to responsibility.
Gavin is new to his neighborhood and Carver Elementary. He likes his new friend, Richard, and has a typically contentious relationship with his older sister, Danielle. When Gavin’s desire to impress Richard sets off a disastrous chain of events, the boy struggles to evade responsibility for his actions. “After all, it isn’t his fault that Danielle’s snow globe got broken. Sure, he shouldn’t have been in her room—but then, she shouldn’t be keeping candy in her room to tempt him. Anybody would be tempted. Anybody!” opines Gavin once he learns the punishment for his crime. While Gavin has a charming Everyboy quality, and his aversion to Aunt Myrtle’s yapping little dog rings true, little about Gavin distinguishes him from other trouble-prone protagonists. He is, regrettably, forgettable. Coretta Scott King Honor winner English (Francie, 1999) is a teacher whose storytelling usually benefits from her day job. Unfortunately, the pizzazz of classroom chaos is largely absent from this series opener.
This outing lacks the sophistication of such category standards as Clementine; here’s hoping English amps things up for subsequent volumes. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Dec. 17, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-547-97044-8
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 1, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.
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
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