Though not all Papa’s answers will satisfy those of every Christian denomination, the Bible basics are here, and adults can...
Polar bears Papa and Little Cub have an important talk about angels—who and where they are, what they do, and what role they play in our lives—as they explore their Arctic habitat.
Angels pass along messages from God, serve God, sing and watch over all of us. In this latest in the God Gave Us series, Little Cub’s questions and comments are spot-on for a curious child. When Papa tells her that angels serve God and are always worshipping Him, Little Cub asks, “Does all that worshipin’ give them those halo thingies?” Papa’s answers are appropriate for Little Cub’s age, and he does not answer every query concretely—he isn’t sure why God doesn’t send angels to keep us from every hurt and sickness. Papa’s comment that we should be nice to all we meet as they may be angels in disguise nicely brings angels down to Earth and gives children a mission. Bryant’s soft watercolor illustrations show the tender love the father and daughter polar bears share. Many spreads depict an angel watching over the pair—behind a snowy hill, within a waterfall, in the shape of a cloud, flying in the night sky.
Though not all Papa’s answers will satisfy those of every Christian denomination, the Bible basics are here, and adults can tweak the text to suit the faith they want to pass on to their own lap-sitters. (Picture book/religion. 2-5)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-60142-661-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: WaterBrook
Review Posted Online: July 28, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2014
Warmly buoyant.
A Black family of four enjoys a day at the pool.
Readers may recognize two of the family members from Bolling and Juanita’s Together We Ride (2022), which centered on a father teaching his young daughter to ride a bike. This latest takes a similar tack, as the mother now helps her young son learn to swim. The child is uncertain, but with her encouragement, he dips a toe into the water and picks up the fundamentals: lifting his head above the water, floating, pumping his arms and legs. There are snafus along the way—the child initially sinks, but Mom is right there. Finally the boy strikes out to swim, “On my own, / in the zone.” The whole family is reassuring, cheering the child on. Big sister does the backstroke and a handstand, displaying the confidence the little one is still learning. Brief but upbeat rhyming verses will especially appeal to beginning readers. Juanita’s carefully composed, muted line illustrations shine in the details, from swim bonnets on Mom and big sister to a mermaid tattoo on Dad’s side. Touching moments in the art pair well with the text. Black family pride and joy abound—this is a family that allows its little ones the space to make forays into independence while supporting them every step of the way. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Warmly buoyant. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Aug. 15, 2023
ISBN: 9781797212494
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2023
PERSPECTIVES
PERSPECTIVES
Sure to have little ones giggling.
Jacques is a hedgehog with a big secret: “I wear real, bona fide underwear.”
Our narrator received a mysterious package one day; an illustration shows a pair of underwear tied to a balloon with a note “from the Universe” floating down into Jacques’ burrow. Hedgehogs don’t wear underwear, however. Will Jacques be shunned? Jacques worries but comes to a decision: “I have to wear them. When I do I feel special.” Determined, Jacques, who’s been invited to a party, makes a dramatic entrance, with undies in hand. Jacques’ declaration (“I WEAR UNDERWEAR”) is met with remarks of dismay, before another hedgehog opens up about similar fears and shows off a pair of cowboy boots. More hedgehogs introduce themselves with their own confessions. The story ends with Jacques unveiling a painting of the underwear in a gallery filled with hedgehogs wearing all sorts of attire. Though the book is simple in plot, characters, and setting, it wins in its balance of bathroom humor, dramatic storytelling, and celebrations of individual expression. French words are peppered throughout, adding to the fun without detracting from the story for those unfamiliar with the language. The cartoonish illustrations brim with fun; Valdez relies heavily on geometric shapes (triangle noses for the hedgehogs; huge circles for their eyes). Details such as speech bubbles and recurring turtle and snake characters contribute to the outlandish humor.
Sure to have little ones giggling. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9781250814388
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
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