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THE KATHA CHEST

Name: THE KATHA CHEST
Author: Radhiah Chowdhury
ISBN: 978-1-66590-390-5

by Radhiah Chowdhury ; illustrated by Lavanya Naidu ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 2022

This warm picture book of familial love and history brings alive a meaningful Bangladeshi tradition.

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Brown-skinned, dark-haired Asiya loves her nanu’s (grandmother’s) katha chest and the katha quilts they hold.

The light quilts are made of stitched-together layers of old saris that her nanu, her mother, and her khalas (aunts) don’t wear anymore. Asiya loves hearing the wonderful family stories these heirloom quilts tell; illustrations inspired by Pattachitra and Bengali folk art dramatize the stories in wordless panels on double-page spreads. They recall important times, happy as well as difficult, when the saris were worn by bold women in Asiya’s family. The artwork throughout is vibrant and colorful, with gorgeously patterned quilts, and adds a deeper historical layer to the text. Asiya’s family members have dark hair and skin tones in various shades of brown. As they come together to pore over the quilts, drink tea, and tell family stories, they wear clothing typical of people in the Bengal and Bangladesh regions of India, including headscarves. Some of the vernacular from those regions is used in the text, the words neither italicized nor explained, which may be confusing to some readers but doesn’t other Bengali and Bangladeshi people. In brief notes at the end, Chowdhury and Naidu share about the importance of saris and katha quilts in their lives. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

This warm picture book of familial love and history brings alive a meaningful Bangladeshi tradition. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 1, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-66590-390-5

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: Jan. 25, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

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All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.

Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)

Pub Date: May 1, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED

From the Little Blue Truck series

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2025

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.

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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)