An earnest and well-illustrated primer that will set imaginations soaring.
Paul A. Reynolds and Peter H. Reynolds draw inspiration from the teachings of Pope Francis in a picture book that encourages young people to share their creative gifts.
“We are ALL gifted. / Each one of us has treasures within.” So begins the authors’ paraphrasing of a message from Pope Francis, printed in full on the previous page. An accompanying illustration depicts a large, diverse group of children of different ages, including one wheelchair user, all gathered as if onstage, ready to share their talents. A detailing of different types of gifts follows, distinguishing between common creative outlets (music, art, literature) and less heralded talents with social benefits (listening to others, being kind, offering love). Finally, the text urges kids not to keep their “light” to themselves, but to give it freely to foster happiness: “So…what are your gifts and how will you share them? / The world is waiting.” This is a heartfelt work, and Peter H. Reynolds presents single-page and occasionally double-page illustrations of children discovering their gifts, which are often in magic-filled boxes. These scenes are vividly enacted against cloudy backdrops in all the vibrant shades of the rainbow. Although the linework is simple, the characters spring to life with a joy and vivacity reminiscent of Quentin Blake’s work.
An earnest and well-illustrated primer that will set imaginations soaring.Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
ISBN: 9780829461589
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Loyola Press
Review Posted Online: Dec. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2026
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A solid addition to Rotner’s seasonal series. Bring on summer.
Rotner follows up her celebrations of spring and autumn with this look at all things winter.
Beginning with the signs that winter is coming—bare trees, shorter days, colder temperatures—Rotner eases readers into the season. People light fires and sing songs on the solstice, trees and plants stop growing, and shadows grow long. Ice starts to form on bodies of water and windows. When the snow flies, the fun begins—bundle up and then build forts, make snowballs and snowmen (with eyebrows!), sled, ski (nordic is pictured), skate, snowshoe, snowboard, drink hot chocolate. Animals adapt to the cold as well. “Birds grow more feathers” (there’s nothing about fluffing and air insulation) and mammals, more hair. They have to search for food, and Rotner discusses how many make or find shelter, slow down, hibernate, or go underground or underwater to stay warm. One page talks about celebrating holidays with lights and decorations. The photos show a lit menorah, an outdoor deciduous tree covered in huge Christmas bulbs, a girl next to a Chinese dragon head, a boy with lit luminarias, and some fireworks. The final spread shows signs of the season’s shift to spring. Rotner’s photos, as always, are a big draw. The children are a marvelous mix of cultures and races, and all show their clear delight with winter.
A solid addition to Rotner’s seasonal series. Bring on summer. (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 16, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3976-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
Engaging, well-chosen images and a clear, coherent text illuminate the importance of empathy for the world’s inhabitants.
Large color photographs (occasionally composed of montages) and accessible, simple text highlight global similarities and differences, always focusing on our universal connections.
While child readers may not recognize Manzano, the Puerto Rican actress who played Maria on Sesame Street, adults will recognize her as a trusted diverse voice. In her endnote, she explains her desire to “encourage lively conversations about shared experiences.” Starting out with the familiar, home and community, the text begins with “How many WONDERFUL PEOPLE do you know?” Then it moves out to the world: “Did you know there are about 8 BILLION PEOPLE on the planet?” The photo essay features the usual concrete similarities and differences found in many books of this type, such as housing (a Mongolian yurt opposite a Hong Kong apartment building overlooking a basketball court), food (dumplings, pizza, cotton candy, a churro, etc.), and school. Manzano also makes sure to point out likenesses in emotions, as shown in a montage of photos from countries including China, Spain, Kashmir (Pakistan/India), and the United States. At the end, a world map and thumbnail images show the locations of all photos, revealing a preponderance of examples from the U.S. and a slight underrepresentation for Africa and South America.
Engaging, well-chosen images and a clear, coherent text illuminate the importance of empathy for the world’s inhabitants. (Informational picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4263-3738-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: National Geographic Kids
Review Posted Online: May 2, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2020
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