A much-needed reminder about the importance and joy of living in the present.
A girl notices she is the only one appreciating the day’s charms.
Hannah, a White-presenting young girl, and her beige dog, Pippin, head out for a walk in this Spanish import translated by Brokenbrow. Hannah greets Carol—a Black woman with Afro-textured hair—who responds with a distracted “Oh, hi,” without making eye contact. In the artwork, Carol is shaded blue while everything else is rendered in true-to-life colors. As Hannah marvels at everyday wonders like cloud formations, a squirrel, and an Asian-presenting baby outside a bookshop, she encounters more busy, self-absorbed adults, all shaded blue, who cannot be reached. Hannah’s reaction, refreshingly, is not one of frustration but of inquiry: “Maybe she’s under some kind of magic spell!” Late in the tale, Hannah realizes everyone is looking down at their cellphones and missing out on the beauty of the day. Her solution is to bring printed photos “of flowers, clouds, rivers, bugs, and trees” with her the next day. She shows everyone what is right in front of them, gently and joyfully interrupting their obsessive smartphone use. When she practices this with Carol, who is no longer shaded blue, the pair end up looking for shapes in the clouds. Merlán’s understated narrative encourages curiosity and calls out digital distraction without any moralizing. Pasamar’s realistic colored-pencil illustrations lend old-fashioned simplicity to this modern tale. Families who do not live in walkable neighborhoods may find it odd that Hannah roams alone. There is no body-type diversity presented. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A much-needed reminder about the importance and joy of living in the present. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-84-18302-50-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Handy advice for perpetually inquisitive children.
Interior decorator and TV personality Gaines invites readers to open their eyes and exercise their imaginations.
There’s a world to be explored out there—and only children can really take part. What does “looking for wonder” entail? Slowing down and looking up, around, and everywhere. At the outset, a group of eager, racially diverse young friends—including one who uses a wheelchair—are fully prepared for a grand adventure. They offer tips about how and where to look: Why, there’s a “grand parade” of marching ants! And, these kids add, perspective is key. A rainy day might signal gloom to some, but to those filled with wonder, showers bring “magic puddles for play”; a forest is “an enchanted world,” the ocean conceals “a spectacular city,” and the night sky boasts “extraordinary sights.” The takeaway: “Wonder is never in short supply.” It’s a robust, empowering message, as is the exhortation to “keep your mind open, and let curiosity guide the way.” Youngsters are also advised to share their discoveries. The upbeat narrative is delivered in clunky verse, but the colorful cartoonish illustrations brimming with activity and good cheer (including some adorable anthropomorphized animals in the backgrounds) make up for the textual lapses and should motivate readers to embark on their own “wonder explorations.”
Handy advice for perpetually inquisitive children. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Jan. 28, 2025
ISBN: 9781400247417
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tommy Nelson
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
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