Realistically portrays the ups and downs of learning a new skill with satisfying success.
A young Black girl eager to attend her first ice-skating lesson imagines how she will “Jump. Leap. Twirl.”
At the skating rink, Claire’s enthusiasm becomes disappointment when her introduction to the sport is different than her expectations. She hates the ugly brown rental skates, wanting pretty white ones of her own. She does not appreciate being placed among the Snowplows (the beginners group); she’d rather be called a skater. And she doesn’t see the point of the initial exercises off the ice. “This isn’t skating. I want to skate!” Finally on the ice, skating is harder than anticipated and…“Wibble, Wobble…BOOM!” Claire falls on her bottom. But the light-skinned coach, Miss Nicole, tells everyone that Claire did a good job falling the right way. Getting up correctly is also a technique, but as the lesson progresses, Claire is still discouraged: “Skating is hard, not fun!” Then she takes notice of how Miss Nicole moves her feet: “Push, glide, slide.” One more try, a few wobbles, and Claire understands and skates toward the railing. Her hard work has paid off, and she feels proud to be a Snowplow. The delicate pencil, acrylic, and digital illustrations reflect a diverse group of children lending support and encouragement to an impatient yet determined newcomer; little ones facing their own challenges will be buoyed. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Realistically portrays the ups and downs of learning a new skill with satisfying success. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Nov. 8, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-68263-220-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Peachtree
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2022
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.
The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.
Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)Pub Date: March 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780063329560
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
An inspiring and disquieting testament to the value of education, which costs some a lot more.
Shaka is determined to find a safe way to get to school for all the kids in his Xhosa community.
Shaka and his little sister, Nandi, were lucky that their father could walk them to school every day, but unfortunately, a work opportunity in a mine far away means their dad will be unavailable for the foreseeable future. The danger of going alone is illustrated by shadowy figures hiding beneath a key bridge along their path, but co-author Friedland’s note and an afterword from Julian Lennon, founder of the White Feather Foundation, emphasize serious unspoken threats faced by children, “girls in particular,” throughout the world from India to Uganda. Importantly, Shaka and Nandi’s rural South African village is depicted as brightly communal and as loving as the supportive Mama who assures the brainstorming siblings that they “will find another way.” A toy school bus they find one day offers the inspiration Shaka needs to adopt a privilege some schoolchildren may take for granted into a savvy collective effort to support the uniquely vulnerable but undeniably eager students of the village. Colorful illustrations offer detailed visuals of the planning and execution of the walking school bus, culminating in a heartwarming full-page spread of the brown-skinned, uniform-wearing kids traveling safely and bravely as a cohesive unit toward their school. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An inspiring and disquieting testament to the value of education, which costs some a lot more. (note from Mandela) (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Aug. 29, 2023
ISBN: 9781771644693
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Greystone Kids
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
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