From outrage to regret, amends, and forgiveness, the drama between friends makes the moral an easy pill to swallow.
Lionel the lion always takes the lion’s share by force—until his disappointed friends teach him that sharing is caring.
Lionel simply does not like to share. In the music shop on Monday, in the hat shop on Tuesday, at the balloon cart on Wednesday, Lionel can’t decide among all the tantalizing options. Just as a friend is about to choose an item, Lionel snatches it and adds it to his large collection. When his friends object that he can’t possibly use all those instruments, hats, or balloons, Lionel responds, “But I am a lion….And I get the lion’s share.” His poor, sad friends (all anthropomorphic animals) just wish he weren’t so selfish. On Thursday, at Chloe’s birthday party, Lionel takes it too far when he decides that the “lion’s share” is the whole cake! The birthday kitten cries, and his friends tell him he has been mean. He stomps off angrily, but by the time he gets home, he is sad, and he knows what he has to do to make amends. The mixed-media illustrations use a combination of soft hues and primary colors, with curving lines and simple expressions, to convey emotions. The triumph of kindness over selfishness is a lesson that never gets old.
From outrage to regret, amends, and forgiveness, the drama between friends makes the moral an easy pill to swallow. (Picture book. 3-8)Pub Date: Aug. 20, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0592-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Review Posted Online: May 11, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2019
Necessary and empowering.
Olympic gold medalist Raisman, who in 2017 spoke out about the sexual abuse she’d endured, presents a primer on bodily autonomy.
“I am strong. I am beautiful. I am unique. I am enough.” So begin the affirmations that appear in this sensitively written book. Raisman underscores the importance of being kind to one’s body and listening to what it needs. She notes that others need to ask permission before touching our bodies; sometimes the answer will be yes, but other times, it will be no. Either is acceptable. Sometimes, someone will forget to ask or won’t respect the answer. When that happens, children can tell them to stop. If they feel unsafe, and it’s hard to say no, they can ask for help from people who make them feel safe. Our voices are just as “powerful,” “beautiful,” and “worthy” as our bodies. Emphasizing the strength inherent in every person—and making clear that we all deserve respect—Raisman has created a much-needed resource for starting a dialogue about consent. Backmatter offers tips for adults about discussing bodies and boundaries. Jackson’s expressive, pastorally soft illustrations depict people, diverse in terms of race, ability, and body type, practicing gymnastics, gardening, and playing basketball. A light-skinned girl wearing a shirt reading “Aly,” presumably a stand-in for the author, features prominently.
Necessary and empowering. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-8)Pub Date: April 2, 2024
ISBN: 9781250798107
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Henry Holt
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
A disappointing follow-up.
Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her eponymous debut (2017).
While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Veruca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Convention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story.
A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-68263-164-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2020
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