A wise and gentle tale that beautifully teaches appreciation for life’s family tree.
A girl grows up with the tree her grandfather planted in this debut children’s book.
When Tilly is born, her grandfather digs a hole in the yard and plants a tree for her: “May it teach you that we are one with all that exists in the world.” Through the tree, her grandfather teaches Tilly about caring for the life around her. All things are connected, Tilly’s grandfather explains. Though she may not see how that’s true yet, if Tilly quietly pays attention, one day she’ll understand. As the tree gets taller and flourishes, so does Tilly. She comes to feel deeply connected with the seasonal cycle and the magic of all living things. When her grandfather dies, Tilly is comforted by her mother’s words: “Grandpa is in this tree and every tree.” In college, Tilly studies to become an arborist, deepening her link with nature, and when her daughter is born, the girl’s grandfather continues the tradition, planting a tree for her. Marshall gives her tale a fablelike, timeless quality, though the message is contemporary in this age of disastrous climate change. The story has an important lesson to teach, but it doesn’t feel didactic thanks to simple but eloquent phrasing and concepts children can understand. For example, the tree needs to rest through winter just as Tilly must sleep at night. Still, even winter isn’t barren: “Under the glow of the beautiful moon and sparkling stars, Tilly could see each and every branch dancing in the shadows.” DSM’s illustrations have rich hues, flat planes, and sharp edges, resembling paper cutouts but with shadows to give them depth. No human figures appear; the images center on nature, allowing all readers to see themselves in the story.
A wise and gentle tale that beautifully teaches appreciation for life’s family tree.Pub Date: Aug. 22, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4525-1746-9
Page Count: 26
Publisher: BalboaPress
Review Posted Online: Dec. 2, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists.
How to raise money for a coveted poster: put your friends to work!
John, founder of the FUBU fashion line and a Shark Tank venture capitalist, offers a self-referential blueprint for financial success. Having only half of the $10 he needs for a Minka J poster, Daymond forks over $1 to buy a plain T-shirt, paints a picture of the pop star on it, sells it for $5, and uses all of his cash to buy nine more shirts. Then he recruits three friends to decorate them with his design and help sell them for an unspecified amount (from a conveniently free and empty street-fair booth) until they’re gone. The enterprising entrepreneur reimburses himself for the shirts and splits the remaining proceeds, which leaves him with enough for that poster as well as a “brand-new business book,” while his friends express other fiscal strategies: saving their share, spending it all on new art supplies, or donating part and buying a (math) book with the rest. (In a closing summation, the author also suggests investing in stocks, bonds, or cryptocurrency.) Though Miles cranks up the visual energy in her sparsely detailed illustrations by incorporating bright colors and lots of greenbacks, the actual advice feels a bit vague. Daymond is Black; most of the cast are people of color. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
It’s hard to argue with success, but guides that actually do the math will be more useful to budding capitalists. (Picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: March 21, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-56727-2
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D.
Breakout kid barber J.D. embraces a summer of opportunity.
Readers met J.D. Jones just as he took his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, by storm, winning himself community acclaim and a chair at the revered Hart and Sons barbershop in series opener J.D. and the Great Barber Battle(2021). What’s next for the haircut prodigy? School’s just getting out, and there’s so much life happening outside—if only one can escape home learning with the grandparents. J.D.’s sister, Vanessa, brings along multitalented mutual friend Jessyka to share an ambitious challenge: “Let’s start a YouTube channel!” Can they get millions of views and wow the whole world? They are already amazing at haircuts and hairstyles—all they need is to learn how to make a great YouTube video. The story models strategies for scripting short videos reflecting the templates of viral YouTube hair tutorials, inviting readers to not only see the journey of the characters, but maybe also practice these skills at home. This book is bound to educate all about some of the most storied and cherished traditions within the Black community. Bringing in Vanessa is a great touch to extend the series across gender, and hopefully she’ll get a chance to lead her own adventures. This book blends skill-building, entrepreneurship, and strong family values to give young Black children visions of what’s possible when they follow their passions and embrace their community.
A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Aug. 3, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-11155-0
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Kokila
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
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