A heartfelt tribute to family, culture, and the everyday magic that connects us.
A child and her abuela spend cherished time together.
The girl affectionately calls her grandmother a bruja—a witch—because of the magic that seems to infuse her every activity. Whether growing a garden rife with “rich beds of yuca” or whipping up flan that tastes of “sugary kisses and caramel dreams,” Abuela performs each task with such confidence and grace that witchcraft seems the only possible explanation. Eager to uncover Abuela’s secrets, the girl pays close attention to everything she does; she longs to discover her own magic, but Abuela gently counsels patience. She reveals that magic has always been within her, passed down through generations from their Taíno ancestors. Slowly, the girl begins to understand. Cuevas and Alvarez Gómez beautifully capture the tender bond between grandmother and granddaughter, set against the vibrant backdrop of Puerto Rico. Melodic language blends with illustrations bursting with color and detail, such as reinitas (black and yellow birds) and the güiro (a traditional Puerto Rican instrument). Tastes, sounds, scents, and feelings come alive on every page; this is a tale that celebrates cultural heritage and encourages readers to find magic in the quotidian. Abuela is brown-skinned with curly black-and-gray hair, while her granddaughter has light brown skin and curly black hair. Publishes simultaneously in Spanish.
A heartfelt tribute to family, culture, and the everyday magic that connects us. (glossary, recipes) (Picture book. 4-9)Pub Date: Aug. 12, 2025
ISBN: 9780593480632
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: May 16, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This outing lacks the sophistication of such category standards as Clementine; here’s hoping English amps things up for...
A gentle voice and familiar pitfalls characterize this tale of a boy navigating the risky road to responsibility.
Gavin is new to his neighborhood and Carver Elementary. He likes his new friend, Richard, and has a typically contentious relationship with his older sister, Danielle. When Gavin’s desire to impress Richard sets off a disastrous chain of events, the boy struggles to evade responsibility for his actions. “After all, it isn’t his fault that Danielle’s snow globe got broken. Sure, he shouldn’t have been in her room—but then, she shouldn’t be keeping candy in her room to tempt him. Anybody would be tempted. Anybody!” opines Gavin once he learns the punishment for his crime. While Gavin has a charming Everyboy quality, and his aversion to Aunt Myrtle’s yapping little dog rings true, little about Gavin distinguishes him from other trouble-prone protagonists. He is, regrettably, forgettable. Coretta Scott King Honor winner English (Francie, 1999) is a teacher whose storytelling usually benefits from her day job. Unfortunately, the pizzazz of classroom chaos is largely absent from this series opener.
This outing lacks the sophistication of such category standards as Clementine; here’s hoping English amps things up for subsequent volumes. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Dec. 17, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-547-97044-8
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 1, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2013
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
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