A fun and funny read for the sporty and the self-confident.
Sophie Johnson is a triple threat!
In previous outings, readers learned of her unicorn expertise and her detective genius. As this third Sophie Johnson tale opens, the multitalented, bespectacled protagonist is preparing for the biggest race anyone has ever run. Mom’s training for a marathon and offers help, but Sophie doesn’t need it; Sophie has confidence. She’s got a banner and a plan. She knows she needs to eat right (readers will note that her cart at the grocery is full of fast food and candy while Mom’s has veggies). Sophie knows rest is important too (far more important than cleaning up). On race day, Sophie knows she shouldn’t be distracted by the spectators even if they are happy to see her—or are they there for the marathon rather than the “Fun Run” for kids Sophie has entered? Eyes closed in concentration, Sophie is first to the finish line…of the wrong race. Never one to be distracted by facts and reality, Sophie knows she is a true sports superstar. Sophie’s self-assurance will appeal to young listeners, who will also enjoy finding the truth behind her boasts in Okstad’s colorful, squiggly-lined illustrations. Sophie and her mom have paper-white skin and black hair; her friends who come to cheer her on are a diverse trio. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 27.5% of actual size.)
A fun and funny read for the sporty and the self-confident. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 9, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5344-6752-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Aladdin
Review Posted Online: Dec. 24, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Readers will agree that “Melba Doretta Liston was something special.”
Bewitched by the rhythms of jazz all around her in Depression-era Kansas City, little Melba Doretta Liston longs to make music in this fictional account of a little-known jazz great.
Picking up the trombone at 7, the little girl teaches herself to play with the support of her Grandpa John and Momma Lucille, performing on the radio at 8 and touring as a pro at just 17. Both text and illustrations make it clear that it’s not all easy for Melba; “The Best Service for WHITES ONLY” reads a sign in a hotel window as the narrative describes a bigotry-plagued tour in the South with Billie Holiday. But joy carries the day, and the story ends on a high note, with Melba “dazzling audiences and making headlines” around the world. Russell-Brown’s debut text has an innate musicality, mixing judicious use of onomatopoeia with often sonorous prose. Morrison’s sinuous, exaggerated lines are the perfect match for Melba’s story; she puts her entire body into her playing, the exaggerated arch of her back and thrust of her shoulders mirroring the curves of her instrument. In one thrilling spread, the evening gown–clad instrumentalist stands over the male musicians, her slide crossing the gutter while the back bow disappears off the page to the left. An impressive discography complements a two-page afterword and a thorough bibliography.
Readers will agree that “Melba Doretta Liston was something special.” (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-60060-898-8
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Lee & Low Books
Review Posted Online: June 3, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2014
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.
When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.
As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9780593111451
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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