New and prospective parents may eat this up—if they find it before all the others like it.
Grown-ups glory in the hugs and snuggles of their offspring.
Various species of adorable, big-eyed cartoon animals take a turn in telling about (or asking for) the wonderful hugs their little ones give. “How do you do it, my sweet beetle bug? / You’re ever so clever at giving a hug… // You snuggle so nicely, it really is true… / Nobody, nowhere, can cuddle like you!” The illustration that accompanies the first couplet shows a ladybug, a spider, a millipede, and a snail snuggling with their offspring (depicted as miniatures of the adults); that for the second presents a seal and their child nose to nose. Other snugglers include field mice, elephants, ducks, koalas, tigers, bluebirds, rabbits, foxes, and penguins. The final spread shows a light-skinned mother and her brown-skinned child snuggling in bed; a photo on the bedside table shows the two along with dad, who is darker than his child: “And mommies and daddies / throughout the land, / we know that it’s true— / yes, we all understand… // that nestled in burrows or curled under rugs… / the littlest things give / the loveliest hugs!” Frost uses bright colors in jewel tones, and her characters, both humans and animals, are central in the illustrations, close-ups keeping the focus on the warm relationships. But although the pictures are adorable and kids do love to snuggle, there’s little here that hasn’t been done before, and perhaps better.
New and prospective parents may eat this up—if they find it before all the others like it. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Dec. 4, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-316-48434-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 16, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
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
BOOK REVIEW
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
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