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ELIZA DEE'S UNIVERSES

A vibrant depiction of the exquisite imagination of an underrepresented child.

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A girl with autism and hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome dreams of universes beyond what science can measure in this whimsical nighttime-hued picture book.

Eliza Dee knows her science about the sky: “The sun is a star, always shining, even at night,” and even when the moon doesn’t look like a sphere, it is. But when she dreams, it’s her creativity that shines. She imagines herself as a pixie traveling in the space between universes, where she uses pixie dust to turn the outline of a leaf to full color. As her wonder grows, so does her imagination, until finally, she realizes she can create any universe in her mind. Her fancies conclude with a question, as Eliza Dee wonders what the reader will dream. Vitsmun and Mikki create a vibrant imaginative space, first grounding the peach-skinned, rosy-cheeked Eliza Dee in the real world of the night sky, looking through a telescope or sitting in a room decorated with real-world constellations. Mikki introduces a riot of color in the dreamscape, featuring a hodge-podge of invented animals and fish with wings. Vitsmun’s vocabulary is accessible, with short sentences that span many images. In a note, Vitsmun points out that Eliza Dee’s conditions are considered “invisible disabilities”; without these notes, readers might not realize Eliza is neurodivergent or that her imagined worlds are due to hyperphantasia. The star’s hypermobility is subtly evident in the way Mikki depicts her seated positions, particularly in the real world, where she crosses legs or kneels in a way that her flexibility makes possible.

A vibrant depiction of the exquisite imagination of an underrepresented child.

Pub Date: April 4, 2024

ISBN: 9781839195259

Page Count: 38

Publisher: Hypatia Press

Review Posted Online: June 20, 2024

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

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

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

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED

From the Little Blue Truck series

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)

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

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