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BREAD IS LOVE

Name: BREAD IS LOVE
Author: Pooja Makhijani
ISBN: 9781250906885

by Pooja Makhijani ; illustrated by Lavanya Naidu ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 3, 2026

A warmhearted story about togetherness and baking as a labor of love.

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A family gathers for their weekly ritual of baking bread.

A mother and her two young children get to work (the elder narrates). They measure and mix flour, water, salt, and starter into a dough. Both kids are eager apprentices, and their mother takes their little messes in her stride. As they wait for the dough to rise, the narrator complains that “bread is slow!” Mama reminds the child that “bread is patience.” They work the dough till it’s a smooth ball. While the loaf rests for the night, the protagonist sleeps, too, dreaming of delicious breads. In the morning, Mama and children bake the loaf and wonder if it will balloon to a beautiful crust or collapse, “flat like a Frisbee.” Either way, Mama declares, “It does not matter. Bread is delicious.” They enjoy their treat with marmalade, chutney, and butter, basking in the comfort and joy of their beloved tradition. Makhijani’s endearing story sprinkles in baking basics with life lessons: “Sometimes bread is moody.” “Bread is unpredictable.” Tactile experiences—wet dough, gloppy sour starter, bready bubbles, and the fragrant baking smells—engage all the senses. Patterned textiles and foods cue this brown-skinned family as South Asian. Bright, jewel-toned illustrations, muted with a yellow light, create a cozy, lived-in feel.

A warmhearted story about togetherness and baking as a labor of love. (author’s note, recipe) (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026

ISBN: 9781250906885

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2025

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HEALTH & DAILY LIVING

- BOOK REVIEW
MAMA'S SARIS
by Pooja Makhijani & illustrated by Elena Gomez

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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I GOT YOU

by Derrick Barnes ; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2025

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.

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When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.

As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)