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GRANDMA'S FARM

A warm tale of passing the love of the family farm from one generation to the next.

A young boy learns about a beloved family farm.

In this sequel to Grandpa’s Tractor (2011), Grandma and Timmy take a sentimental journey to the old farm, now abandoned and in disrepair, where his mother grew up, and Grandma shares stories and notes from her diary while Timmy imagines his mother’s early life. As the pair walk around the farm, they talk about all the chores, such as feeding the pigs—and catching them when they escaped—planting, picking, and selling vegetables, gathering and candling eggs, and shearing sheep. But farm life isn’t all work. Grandma recalls how the family had fun fishing, playing family baseball and board games, watching TV, reading, and visiting the library each week. The trip is a success, and the book closes with Timmy feeling closer to both Grandma and his mother and eager to plant a garden of his own. Full-color digital illustrations have the realistic feel of scrapbook photos—they may have faded a bit, but the important details are in clear focus. In fact, reading the book feels like peering over Grandma’s shoulder as she shares her scrapbook and stories with Timmy. The story is alive with farm life details that young readers will appreciate. Timmy and his extended family present as White. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A warm tale of passing the love of the family farm from one generation to the next. (author’s note) (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Oct. 11, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-63592-583-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Astra Young Readers

Review Posted Online: July 12, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2022

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PAPA DOESN'T DO ANYTHING!

A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren.

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In talk-show host Fallon and illustrator Ordóñez’s latest picture-book collaboration, an elderly pooch waxes rhapsodic about a life well lived.

Observing Papa sitting in his chair watching TV all day, a young pup says, “I’m starting to think…you don’t do ANYTHING.” So Papa proceeds to list his accomplishments, both big and small, mundane and profound. Some are just a result of being older and physically bigger (being tall enough to reach a high shelf and strong enough to open jars); others include winning a race and performing in a band when he was younger. Eventually, the pup realizes that while Papa may have slowed down in his old age, he’s led a full life. The most satisfying thing about Papa’s life now? Watching his grandchild take center stage: “I can say lots of thoughts / but I choose to be quiet. / I’d rather you discover things and then try it.” Fallon’s straightforward text is sweetly upbeat, though it occasionally lacks flow, forcing incongruous situations together to fit the rhyme scheme (“I cook and I mow, / and I once flew a plane. // I play newspaper puzzles because it’s good for my brain”). Featuring uncluttered, colorful backgrounds, Ordóñez’s child-friendly digital art at times takes on sepia tones, evoking the sense of looking back at old photos or memories. Though the creators tread familiar ground, the love between Papa and his little one is palpable.

A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: May 13, 2025

ISBN: 9781250393975

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025

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THE PIGEON HAS TO GO TO SCHOOL!

From the Pigeon series

Yes, the Pigeon has to go to school, and so do readers, and this book will surely ease the way.

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All the typical worries and excuses kids have about school are filtered through Willems’ hysterical, bus-loving Pigeon.

Told mostly in speech balloons, the bird’s monologue will have kids (and their caregivers) in stitches at Pigeon’s excuses. From already knowing everything (except whatever question readers choose to provide in response to “Go ahead—ask me a question. / Any question!”) to fearing learning too much (“My head might pop off”), Pigeon’s imagination has run wild. Readers familiar with Pigeon will recognize the muted, matte backgrounds that show off the bird’s shenanigans so well. As in previous outings, Willems varies the size of the pigeon on the page to help communicate emotion, the bird teeny small on the double-page spread that illustrates the confession that “I’m… / scared.” And Pigeon’s eight-box rant about all the perils of school (“The unknown stresses me out, dude”) is marvelously followed by the realization (complete with lightbulb thought bubble) that school is the place for students to practice, with experts, all those skills they don’t yet have. But it is the ending that is so Willems, so Pigeon, and so perfect. Pigeon’s last question is “Well, HOW am I supposed to get there, anyway!?!” Readers will readily guess both the answer and Pigeon’s reaction.

Yes, the Pigeon has to go to school, and so do readers, and this book will surely ease the way. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: July 2, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-368-04645-9

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Hyperion

Review Posted Online: May 7, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2019

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