Readers who approach this title expecting a 21st-century love-makes-a-family message overtly embracing adoptive, queer, blended and other diverse family constellations will be disappointed. Instead of approaching “all kinds of families” in this way, however, the author riffs on “family” as a synonym for “group,” describing not only human relationships but placing inanimate objects, animals and other things into family groups. The result is vintage Hoberman: Clever, rhyming wordplay mining a single concept for all it’s worth and a singsong cadence that begs to be read aloud combine to produce a text reminiscent of earlier collaborations with Betty Fraser in A House is a House for Me (1978) and The Cozy Book (1999). French artist Boutavant’s stylized, digitally produced illustrations are a clear departure from Fraser’s watercolors, but they share a high attention to detail, inviting children to pore over pictures for new discoveries on every page opening. (Picture book. 4-7)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-316-14633-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2009
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
With perfect pitch and hilariously deadpan delivery, Schwartz follows a two- (or so) year-old through an ordinary, completely wonderful day. Henry shares an apartment house with “one baby, two little girls, three big boys,” a set of triplets his age, plus a bird, two cats, and a assortment of parents, sitters, and relatives—all of whom matter-of-factly go about the business of getting up, dressing, going out, coming in, playing, napping, eating, and, at day’s end, getting ready for bed. Schwartz’s plainspoken text and delicately drawn urban scenes are not only rich in the sorts of details and routines that make up a young child’s world, but include more nuanced interactions that will engage parental readers too: “ ‘Look at Peter’s lovely underpants,’ Henry’s mother says. ‘Henry wears underpants sooner or later,’ Henry says.” A sensitive observer in top form, Schwartz has created a treasure of a tale that captures marvels in everyday life. (Picture book. 5-7)
Pub Date: April 1, 2004
ISBN: 0-689-84802-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Richard Jackson/Atheneum
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2004
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Little Zee (2003) returns for a night’s horseplay (okay, zebraplay) with his parents. Annoyed at being sent away while the grownups watch a scary movie on TV, Zee sneaks back beneath a sheet, and sends them galloping out of the room with a loud “BOO.” Eventually, after some mysterious household noises and much tiptoeing about in the dark, all end up snuggled together in bed. Zee’s parents put up a convincing show of alarm in Gay’s Marc-Simont–like illustrations, but with darkness indicated by the thinnest and most transparent of sepia washes, every figure is always plainly, reassuringly visible to young viewers. “Don’t be afraid,” Zee murmurs, in a bit of role reversal at the end of this cozy bedtime episode, “I’ll stay with you and hold you tight. Good night!” Sleep tight. (Picture book. 4-6)
Pub Date: March 22, 2004
ISBN: 0-618-43931-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2004
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