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SOMETHING

Name: SOMETHING
Author: Natalee Creech
ISBN: 978-1-5460-0287-1

ONE SMALL THING CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

by Natalee Creech ; illustrated by Pablo Pino ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 7, 2023

A chipper reminder that something can add up to a whole lot.

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Children are natural helpers.

Told in bouncy rhymes, this upbeat book urges readers to do something—well, various somethings—to demonstrate kindness, helpfulness, compassion, and neighborliness. “Others,” the book suggests, include relatives, friends, neighbors, members of one’s community, and animals. Kids are reminded that tuning in to one’s “kindness radar” doesn’t require being an adult or having money; children can display empathy and goodwill in simple, no-cost ways and by being observant and creative. The old adage “it’s the thought that counts” is the point—provided the empathic thought is backed up with generosity. Easy, doable examples include helping “an older person water plants or get the mail,” welcoming newcomers to the neighborhood, raking leaves, and washing someone’s car. Some examples of kindness aren’t so easily—or credibly—accomplished by children, however: e.g., setting up a sidewalk adoption station for abandoned pets. Adults sharing this cheery volume should encourage youngsters to volunteer ideas for ways they can be helpful. There’s a Christian slant here: An excerpt from the book of Matthew precedes the opening spread, and references to God and Jesus appear within the text, so this title will be welcome in Christian and Sunday school libraries. The colorful, lively illustrations and occasional, playful variations in font are appealing; background characters demonstrate diversity in skin tone, age, and body shape. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A chipper reminder that something can add up to a whole lot. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Feb. 7, 2023

ISBN: 978-1-5460-0287-1

Page Count: 32

Publisher: WorthyKids/Ideals

Review Posted Online: Nov. 28, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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THE MOST MAGNIFICENT THING

by Ashley Spires ; illustrated by Ashley Spires ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 2014

Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle...

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Making things is difficult work. Readers will recognize the stages of this young heroine’s experience as she struggles to realize her vision.

First comes anticipation. The artist/engineer is spotted jauntily pulling a wagonload of junkyard treasures. Accompanied by her trusty canine companion, she begins drawing plans and building an assemblage. The narration has a breezy tone: “[S]he makes things all the time. Easy-peasy!” The colorful caricatures and creations contrast with the digital black outlines on a white background that depict an urban neighborhood. Intermittent blue-gray panels break up the white expanses on selected pages showing sequential actions. When the first piece doesn’t turn out as desired, the protagonist tries again, hoping to achieve magnificence. A model of persistence, she tries many adjustments; the vocabulary alone offers constructive behaviors: she “tinkers,” “wrenches,” “fiddles,” “examines,” “stares” and “tweaks.” Such hard work, however, combines with disappointing results, eventually leading to frustration, anger and injury. Explosive emotions are followed by defeat, portrayed with a small font and scaled-down figures. When the dog, whose expressions have humorously mirrored his owner’s through each phase, retrieves his leash, the resulting stroll serves them well. A fresh perspective brings renewed enthusiasm and—spoiler alert—a most magnificent scooter sidecar for a loyal assistant.

Spires’ understanding of the fragility and power of the artistic impulse mixes with expert pacing and subtle characterization for maximum delight. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: April 1, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-55453-704-4

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Kids Can

Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2014

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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developed by Ashley Spires ; adapted by Naseem Hrab ; illustrated by Mike Shiell

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ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Laura Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2016

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of...

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Rabe follows a young girl through her first 12 days of kindergarten in this book based on the familiar Christmas carol.

The typical firsts of school are here: riding the bus, making friends, sliding on the playground slide, counting, sorting shapes, laughing at lunch, painting, singing, reading, running, jumping rope, and going on a field trip. While the days are given ordinal numbers, the song skips the cardinal numbers in the verses, and the rhythm is sometimes off: “On the second day of kindergarten / I thought it was so cool / making lots of friends / and riding the bus to my school!” The narrator is a white brunette who wears either a tunic or a dress each day, making her pretty easy to differentiate from her classmates, a nice mix in terms of race; two students even sport glasses. The children in the ink, paint, and collage digital spreads show a variety of emotions, but most are happy to be at school, and the surroundings will be familiar to those who have made an orientation visit to their own schools.

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of Kindergarten (2003), it basically gets the job done. (Picture book. 4-7)