Love motivates acceptance and assistance in this warm, direct, and interactive story.
As Granny’s memory slips away, will Suzy lose their special relationship?
Suzy and Granny—both light-skinned—have had marvelous times together, pretending to be astronauts, riding toy horses, and, most of all, playing superhero. But Granny is becoming increasingly forgetful; once she even calls Suzy “Lily.” When Granny explains what memory is, Suzy secretly tries to find it before taking a different approach: When Granny doesn’t know where her glasses are, Suzy—and readers—will help find them (a challenge, as they are thin wire frames located on a page with many other objects). When Granny isn’t sure of the way home, Suzy and readers can trace it through a maze from store to house. Putting away the groceries is another task that Suzy and readers must complete—by following long, winding lines connecting items such as carrots and toilet paper with their destinations. But Suzy’s guiding principle is clear: “Now it’s my turn to be just as sweet to Granny as she has always been to me.” Suzy will become Granny’s “sweet superhero helper.” This is a tender and original take on coping with memory loss; spotting a cute black cat on every spread adds to readers’ engagement. Many objects are simply outlined in black, with no color filled in. Varied-width black lines and touches of a darker red punctuate the pastels in the delicate but uncrowded illustrations. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Love motivates acceptance and assistance in this warm, direct, and interactive story. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 13, 2023
ISBN: 9781605378398
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clavis
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2023
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
A colorful conversation starter about what heroism can mean.
In this picture book from former congressman and U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard officer Kinzinger, a father shows his child that heroes are found everywhere.
Christian is excited to learn that his class will be presenting about heroes in their lives. He knows exactly who he’s going to talk about: his father, an Air Force pilot. When Christian’s friend Ella declares that she will present on their teacher, Ms. Betty Jo, Christian is confused. Heroes protect people, like his father does, but Ms. Betty Jo “didn’t protect anyone.” When Christian tells his father that no one else in his class knows a real hero, Dad takes the boy on a trip in his single-engine plane. Christian observes different workers as his father explains their heroism in verse. The text switches back to prose as they land at a military cemetery, where Dad places a flag at the tombstone of a friend. Vibrant, episodic illustrations give the story momentum, while the detailed vignettes provide a good opportunity for young readers to discuss what’s happening in situations that call for doctors, police, 911 dispatch, the National Guard, and lifeguards, among others. Brief backmatter presents facts about some of the institutions and people who inspired the illustrations. Christian and Dad are pale-skinned; other characters are diverse.
A colorful conversation starter about what heroism can mean. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 5, 2026
ISBN: 9781400252725
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tommy Nelson
Review Posted Online: March 23, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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