edited by Patricia C. McKissack ; illustrated by Brian Pinkney ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 10, 2017
A comprehensive treasury of memories, verbal art, and play.
An ebullient collection of African-American playtime lore, traced to its sources.
Newbery Honor–winning McKissack explains how “our earliest toys are our hands, feet, and voices.” Most children don’t realize the educational value of songs and rhymes. The rhythms just naturally pull listeners along, encouraging participation. But in addition to their role in fostering language development and motor control, rhymes also have a history woven through them, especially for children of color. Arranging them developmentally, McKissack shares hand claps, jump-rope rhymes, circle games, songs, and stories. Unexpected treasures include “Mama Sayings” and the apropos “Jump Tale” (which has a sneaky surprise at the end). Such familiar characters as Anansi and Br’er Rabbit share space with the intriguing history of “Amazing Grace” and the coded songs from the Underground Railroad. Each entry is preceded by a note from McKissack describing a rhyme’s origin or sharing a personal anecdote from her childhood memories. Recounting sitting on the porch with family, frenzied clapping on the playground, or making “a joyful noise” in church, there is an undeniable warmth and sense of belonging to these tales. Pinkney’s watercolor-and–India ink spot illustrations swirl through the pages, bursting with energy tapped from joy and rich tradition.
A comprehensive treasury of memories, verbal art, and play. (notes, bibliography, index) (Folklore. 1-10)Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-375-87088-0
Page Count: 184
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random
Review Posted Online: Sept. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2016
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PROFILES
by Chloe Perkins ; illustrated by Sandra Equihua ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 2016
A nice but not requisite purchase.
A retelling of the classic fairy tale in board-book format and with a Mexican setting.
Though simplified for a younger audience, the text still relates the well-known tale: mean-spirited stepmother, spoiled stepsisters, overworked Cinderella, fairy godmother, glass slipper, charming prince, and, of course, happily-ever-after. What gives this book its flavor is the artwork. Within its Mexican setting, the characters are olive-skinned and dark-haired. Cultural references abound, as when a messenger comes carrying a banner announcing a “FIESTA” in beautiful papel picado. Cinderella is the picture of beauty, with her hair up in ribbons and flowers and her typically Mexican many-layered white dress. The companion volume, Snow White, set in Japan and illustrated by Misa Saburi, follows the same format. The simplified text tells the story of the beautiful princess sent to the forest by her wicked stepmother to be “done away with,” the dwarves that take her in, and, eventually, the happily-ever-after ending. Here too, what gives the book its flavor is the artwork. The characters wear traditional clothing, and the dwarves’ house has the requisite shoji screens, tatami mats and cherry blossoms in the garden. The puzzling question is, why the board-book presentation? Though the text is simplified, it’s still beyond the board-book audience, and the illustrations deserve full-size books.
A nice but not requisite purchase. (Board book/fairy tale. 3-5)Pub Date: Sept. 13, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-4814-7915-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
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by Tom Fletcher ; illustrated by Greg Abbott ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 2017
Playful, engaging, and full of opportunities for empathy—a raucous storytime hit.
Readers try to dislodge a monster from the pages of this emotive and interactive read-aloud.
“OH NO!” the story starts. “There’s a monster in your book!” The blue, round-headed monster with pink horns and a pink-tipped tail can be seen cheerfully munching on the opening page. “Let’s try to get him out,” declares the narrator. Readers are encouraged to shake, tilt, and spin the book around, while the monster careens around an empty background looking scared and lost. Viewers are exhorted to tickle the monster’s feet, blow on the page, and make a really loud noise. Finally, shockingly, it works: “Now he’s in your room!” But clearly a monster in your book is safer than a monster in your room, so he’s coaxed back into the illustrations and lulled to sleep, curled up under one page and cuddling a bit of another like a child with their blankie. The monster’s entirely cute appearance and clear emotional reactions to his treatment add to the interactive aspect, and some young readers might even resist the instructions to avoid hurting their new pal. Children will be brought along on the monster’s journey, going from excited, noisy, and wiggly to calm and steady (one can hope).
Playful, engaging, and full of opportunities for empathy—a raucous storytime hit. (Picture book. 2-7)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5247-6456-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: June 4, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2017
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