Tashi, a young Tibetan-American, is greatly concerned for her grandfather, Popola, whose chronic cough weakens him every...
A heartwarming picture book presents age-old Tibetan medical traditions with a modern, positive, community-based twist.
Tashi, a young Tibetan-American, is greatly concerned for her grandfather, Popola, whose chronic cough weakens him every day. Having grown up listening to Popola’s stories, Tashi has learned about the healing powers of flowers in traditional Tibetan medicine and hatches a creative plan to help Popola reconnect with these ancient cures. Unfortunately, she quickly learns that not being in Tibet makes this a challenge. Determined to help her grandfather, Tashi creatively enlists the management of a local flower nursery to let her and her family visit. Although Popola is at first skeptical that this improvised flower cure will work outside of Tibet, he is pleasantly surprised when their community bands together to facilitate his healing. Painterly acrylic-on-canvas illustrations incorporate traditional Tibetan objects such as prayer flags and thangkas, sacred wall hangings, into a modern-day setting, providing a colorful window into both cultures. Additional Tibetan elements, such as Tibetan words and phrases, are sprinkled throughout and are further explained in a brief note on Tibetan-Americans at the end of the text.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-60060-425-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Lee & Low Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 9, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
An appealing idea for a chapter book but undistinguished in execution.
The Divine triplets, Lily, Daisy, and Violet, are alike in some ways and different in others, but they agree about their troublesome new puppy.
This chapter book introduces the three girls: Lily, who loves to read and dares to write and recite a poem; Daisy, who loves baseball and plays even better after she gets glasses; and drama queen Violet, who makes up for her science failures with a project about the ways the three of them take after different members of their family. And then there's Grandpa Dash and Grandma Rose. The girls’ habit of jumping to conclusions leads them to assume that their dad's father and mother’s mother are getting married, but the big announcement turns out to be the gift of a new dog. The third-person narrative is dialogue-heavy, with amusing, age-appropriate wordplay: Violet calls a science fair project about electricity a “shocker” and uses words like “ridonculous” and “matchy-matchy.” There's no sense of place and no clear indication of the girls' age; this is an episodic story of people and relationships. In the end, these characters don’t come alive, and readers may find it difficult to distinguish them—just as sometimes happens to triplets in real life. Grayscale illustrations help (final art not seen).
An appealing idea for a chapter book but undistinguished in execution. (Fiction. 7-9)Pub Date: May 15, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3289-9
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An uplifting celebration of family, community, and culture.
Reyna’s abuelito was a mariachi musician, and today his prized vihuela, a small, high-pitched guitar, hangs in her family’s restaurant.
When Reyna accidentally breaks the vihuela, she knows Mamá will be crushed, as the instrument brings back joyful memories of her father. Reyna decides to take it upon herself to fix the instrument before her mother discovers what has happened, reaching out to several adults in the community to ask for help. Though no one is able to help her exactly as she wishes, each contributes a memento that brings the memory of Abuelito and his mariachi music to life. She returns with her grandfather’s sombrero, a photo of the mariachi band, and a record of their music. Mamá and Reyna revel in the memory of Abuelito as they share his music with restaurant diners. Lee and Low New Voices Award winner Torres makes a charming debut. The adults in Reyna’s neighborhood are as caring and helpful as Reyna is tenderhearted. The illustrations are equally joyful, presenting a bustling, colorful, and diverse neighborhood. Small details make each setting come alive, such as the Mexican imagery decorating the restaurant walls. Bright colors and warm faces create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere.
An uplifting celebration of family, community, and culture. (author’s note) (Bilingual picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: May 15, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-89239-291-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Children's Book Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2015
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