A passable introduction to the life of Elvis Presley.
A new entry in the Little People, BIG DREAMS series recounts the life story of the King of Rock ’n’ Roll.
Presley’s early musical influences—country and blues music—are established in the opening spreads describing his childhood. He is shown playing the guitar and glancing over at his Black neighbors, who are given to “singing blues on the porch,” while his mother hangs out wash and sings. Vegara weaves this theme of Presley’s affinity with the Black community throughout the story. Albero’s signature caricatures and flat scenes depict turning points in the icon’s life: his family’s move from Mississippi to Tennessee, his military service, his purchase of a mansion for his family, and his mother’s death. The book also covers career highlights: winning a school talent show, making his first commercial record, developing his dancing moves, and being awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36. Mention is made of his movies and televised tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. The biography concludes by noting that Presley was “the irreplaceable artist who changed the course of music history and made sure that no song would be black or white ever again.” While the facts of Presley’s life are presented, the undefined musical concepts will fly over the heads of many young readers, making the relationship between race and music less meaningful. For a more emotionally charged, age-appropriate profile, read Jonah Winter’s Elvis Is King (2019). (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A passable introduction to the life of Elvis Presley. (timeline, further reading) (Picture-book biography. 5-8)Pub Date: May 17, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-7112-7087-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
A charming tale of an athlete who may not steal any bases but who will certainly steal readers’ hearts.
Ohtani, pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, teams up with Blank and Liem to tell the story of how his dog, Decoy, threw out a ceremonial first pitch.
It’s a big day! Decoy leaps “off the bed. Then back onto the bed. Then off the bed.” The enthusiastic pup heads outside to practice with his lucky baseball but is quickly distracted by squirrels (“we’ll play later!”), airplanes (“flyin’ high!”), and flowers (“smell ya soon!”). Dog and pitcher then head to the ballpark. In the locker room, Decoy high-paws Shohei’s teammates. It’s nearly time! But as Shohei prepares to warm up, Decoy realizes that he’s forgotten something important: his lucky ball. Without it, there will be “no championships, no parades, and no hot dogs!” Back home he goes, returning just in time. With Shohei at the plate, Decoy runs from the mound to his owner, rolling the ball into Shohei’s mitt for a “Striiiiike!” Related from a dog’s point of view, Ohtani and Blank’s energetic text lends the tale a sense of urgency and suspense. Liem’s illustrations capture the excitement of the first day of baseball season and the joys of locker room camaraderie, as well as Shohei and Decoy’s mutual affection—even when the ball is drenched in slobber, Shohei’s love for his pet shines through, and clearly, Decoy is focused when it matters.
A charming tale of an athlete who may not steal any bases but who will certainly steal readers’ hearts. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
ISBN: 9780063460775
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 10, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2025
A charming year in the life of a most idyllic farm; horse lovers will be entranced.
Let’s go for a pony ride!
Lily, a young Black child who lives on a farm, takes readers on a tour. Meadows’ verse leads us step by step through the seasons—ponies grazing in a pasture on a warm day, Lily taking part in a pony show in autumn, and ponies hunkering down in the barn, taking refuge from the “frost and snow” of winter. The easy rhythm of the text pairs well with Cloud’s soft, pastoral vistas. While the story is delivered with a light touch, it still shows the hard work of caring for a large animal. “Soapy water in a pail. / Gentle strokes from head to tail.” “Pick the hooves / for stone and dirt / I notice when / my pony’s hurt.” Exuding familial warmth, the bright artwork lets readers follow Lily from pastures to picnics—and even, best of all, to the arrival of a newcomer: “A foal is born / New life is here.” This easy reader will speak to any child who has wished for a pony of their own and refreshingly centers a family of color—something not often seen in similar titles.
A charming year in the life of a most idyllic farm; horse lovers will be entranced. (Early reader. 5-8)Pub Date: May 2, 2023
ISBN: 9780593483169
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: March 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2023
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
