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SMILING EYES

Name: SMILING EYES
Author: Linda Sue Park
ISBN: 9780358663928

by Linda Sue Park ; illustrated by Lenny Wen ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 25, 2025

Eye-catching and inspiring.

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In Newbery Medalist Park’s latest, a child explores the community through the eyes of others.

Eye imagery is ever-present in this book, starting with the opening pages. The protagonist, who presents East Asian, awakens; surrounded by vibrant yellow sheets that resemble an eyelid, the child’s face looks like a pupil. Downstairs, the youngster notices family members’ eyes: “Smiling eyes / bright eyes / twinkling eyes—wink!” At school, the child’s diverse classmates smile with their own “shining eyes,” “wide eyes,” and “surprised eyes—blink!” The protagonist observes the other children’s eye colors: “Brown eyes / green eyes / hazel or blue / You can see me / and I can see you!” Scenes of a charming neighborhood are warmly textured with blots and lines of bright colors that bring movement and depth to each page. The tale gently transitions to a neighborhood street as Park muses further on eyes. Characters pick out glasses; others read stories (some via braille). They also use their eyes to express—and notice—emotions. As the child eventually falls asleep, Wen leaves us with the image of constellations in the sky forming the shape of an eye. Paired with warm and whimsical portrayals of an inclusive, supportive community, the verse is simple and jaunty yet potent, encouraging young readers to consider this sense from various angles.

Eye-catching and inspiring. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2025

ISBN: 9780358663928

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Allida/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Nov. 23, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2025

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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by Linda Sue Park ; illustrated by Maxine Vee

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MY BOOK AND ME
by Linda Sue Park ; illustrated by Chris Raschka

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THE ONE THING YOU'D SAVE
by Linda Sue Park ; illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng

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READ ALL ABOUT IT!

by Benjamin Hall ; illustrated by Martina Motzo ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 3, 2026

Visually sweet, though hampered by disjointed storytelling.

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In this picture book from Fox News journalist Hall, a young hedgehog must find a way to protect his community when peril looms.

Hedgehog and his father both have busy days ahead. Dad’s on his way to the newspaper to report “what new news the news brings.” Hedgehog packs his backpack for an adventure, mindful of Dad’s rules: “Don’t talk to strangers” and “never ever cross the river alone.” Obeying the rules proves difficult when Hedgehog notices commotion on the other side of the river: A bear is hungrily eyeing Baby Owl, who’s fallen from her tree. With creative thinking, Hedgehog frightens off the bear and alerts Mama Owl, but the predator is still at large. So Hedgehog and Mama Owl create flyers to warn the forest residents. Though Motzo’s airy illustrations are pleasing—particularly the adorably animated Hedgehog, a tribute to Hall’s own children—the narrative feels bogged down with multiple themes as it attempts to explore the power of the written word, the importance of community, and the need to adhere to a parent’s rules. When Hedgehog apologizes for his apparent disobedience, Dad explains that Hedgehog never actually broke the rules; turns out it’s OK to cross the river in the company of an adult, and Mama Owl’s no stranger (she’s the town librarian, whom Hedgehog sees every week). The back-and-forth may leave readers confused; it also feels like a missed opportunity to discuss how to identify trustworthy adults.

Visually sweet, though hampered by disjointed storytelling. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 3, 2026

ISBN: 9780063357549

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Dec. 26, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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MAYA'S BIG QUESTION

From the Ambitious Girl series , Vol. 3

by Meena Harris ; illustrated by Marissa Valdez ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 3, 2026

Another empowering outing led by a dynamic young role model.

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The third title in the Ambitious Girl series finds young Maya wanting accomplished women to get their due.

On a school trip to Washington, D.C., brown-skinned, bubble-braided Maya is full of questions, among them “How many representatives are there?” and, while checking out the statues and monuments, “Where are all the women?” Maya’s teacher tells her that they’ve seen all the “popular” statues and monuments. Maya is as dogged (“But what about Eleanor Roosevelt? Or Mary McLeod Bethune?”) as her teacher is dismissive: “Those aren’t on my list.” (Maya’s teacher follows the same list every trip.) Back at home, Maya is newly awakened to the lack of female representation in her orbit—she notices that streets and “even her own school” are named for men. Is there anything she can do about this? Maya’s teacher’s cluelessness feels a bit implausible, more like a plot device to steer the story in the right direction, but Maya’s righteous indignation is believable, and her corresponding activism will energize readers. Valdez gets into the spirit of things with her invigorating digital art: Maya and her multiethnic classmates and neighbors are colorful dressers with smiling faces, which fosters a sense that wherever Maya goes, a warm and ebullient community is there for her.

Another empowering outing led by a dynamic young role model. (Picture book. 5-8)