A bonanza for aspiring rhymers and for readers who have wondered how rappers do it.
The author of P Is for Pterodactyl (2018) and No Reading Allowed (2020) returns with another unorthodox vocabulary builder.
In his author’s note, Haldar writes, “This book is about this super cool way to rhyme that most kids’ books don’t tell you about”; he’s referring to “slant rhymes,” or “sounds that almost rhyme, but not quite (the way good rappers do it!).” The book’s 26 examples—one for each letter of the alphabet—are all inventive, funny, and begging to be set to music (although maybe not rap music). The question “What rhymes with ARUGULA?” is answered with “He tries to prove to her that nothing rhymes with arugula. ‘What about a cupola?’ asks Hugo’s bubala.” The question “What rhymes with BEIGE?” is answered with “Wearing beige is all the rage for parents of a certain age.” Readers may find this book a revelation: Ah, so a close rhyme with the right rhythm can approximate a perfect rhyme! Animals, aliens, racially diverse humans, or some combination thereof act out the (almost) rhymes in Ordás’ loud cartoonish Photoshop illustrations. Notably, Haldar doesn’t reach for familiar vocabulary words; in addition to cupola and bubala, there’s fathom and chasm, sulfurous and vulturous, and neutron and gluon, the last of which may prompt adult readers to race younger ones to the book’s glossary.
A bonanza for aspiring rhymers and for readers who have wondered how rappers do it. (Picture book. 7-12)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
ISBN: 9781728206615
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks eXplore
Review Posted Online: July 6, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: yesterday
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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