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BROBARIANS

Name: BROBARIANS
Author: Lindsay Ward
ISBN: 978-1-5039-4167-0

by Lindsay Ward ; illustrated by Lindsay Ward ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2017

Good and campy and a fine opportunity for vocabulary building. (Picture book. 4-8)

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Two brothers, two great warriors—two brobarians!—engage in an epic backyard battle, until the “magic that ruled all” (aka mother) calls them in.

This mixed-media contribution from Ward is highly cinematic, both in imagery and narrative soundtrack. Iggy, the younger, is “master of the sword” (his rattle), “conquer[ing] magical beasts, and challeng[ing] colossal monsters” (the family dog and the outdoor grill). He does this all in his diaper, milk bottle tucked into his sash and crowned by a mop (literally) of hair. Otto, the older, “looked on... / ...as Iggy seized his army!” Iggy looms over Otto’s miniature medieval action figures. Otto is “not amused.” Sometimes the kooky overdramatization has its tongue so deep in its cheek it’s in jeopardy of poking through. It is also in jeopardy of scooting right over smaller heads, as when Iggy “navigate[s] treacherous quicksand.” Still, what young reader can’t relate to being worked into a frenzy when an older sibling, say, polishes off the milk in their bottle—that is, “guzzle[s] Iggy’s bah-bah, finishing every drop!”? If that is not call for a serious mud fight, then what is? Enter Mamabarian! “Heads bowed in shame, they marched inside to the dungeon of seclusion.” Yes, the bath.

Good and campy and a fine opportunity for vocabulary building. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 14, 2017

ISBN: 978-1-5039-4167-0

Page Count: 36

Publisher: Two Lions

Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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THE WHITE HOUSE
by Lindsay Ward ; illustrated by Lindsay Ward

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SCOOPER AND DUMPER
by Lindsay Ward ; illustrated by Lindsay Ward

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OUR SPOT
by Lindsay Ward ; illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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I GOT YOU

by Derrick Barnes ; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2025

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.

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When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.

As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)