An empowering, slice-of-life story about learning.
A child struggles with school when he can’t remember his colors in Seay’s illustrated book for children.
When Carter Carver, a young Black boy, asks his mother if she can teach him at home rather than send him to school, she’s surprised; she listens as Carter explains how he feels left out because he doesn’t know his colors by heart. Carter can remember the colors of many specific things (“You know like snowballs are white, blueberries blue, and firetrucks just have to be red”), but he often has to guess when it comes to identifying hues. Even though Carter is great at a lot of things, he’s worried that if his friends find out he doesn’t know his colors, they’ll laugh at him. Although his mother assures him that everyone learns at their own speed, she also helps him develop a new technique to help him learn which color is which. By bringing together toys of like colors, his mother personalizes color matching, showing Carter he can learn. The author uses a rhyming scansion and simple language to make the text accessible: “Carter never worried much about colors. He knew he could pass almost any test. To get around not telling one from the other, he had found different ways to guess.” The supportive environment relieves readers from worrying about Carter; even if he doesn’t get everything right, they know he is safe and loved. Seay’s colorful illustrations are bright and well textured. Carter solves his problem by the story’s end, but this is just the beginning of his educational journey; learning his colors gives him the encouragement he needs to keep going.
An empowering, slice-of-life story about learning.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: 9798986344706
Page Count: 34
Publisher: PicBooks Publishing
Review Posted Online: Feb. 20, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Warm but underdone.
In this picture book from actor Gyllenhaal and his partner, Caruso, a child and his uncle bond on a fantastic journey.
Leo, an avid dancer, is dismayed when Uncle Mo visits—he’s in town for a “rubber band convention.” Illustrations show both with wavy brown hair and light tan skin. Not only does Leo think his uncle is rather dull, he’s also leery of Uncle Mo’s many rules. A rather abrupt narrative shift occurs when the pair inexplicably drive into another dimension. Here they encounter Great-Aunt Gloria (who is very tall and presents Black) and Uncle Munkle Carbunkle (who is very short and light-skinned), who guide them through the Secret Society of Aunts & Uncles. Unimpressed with Uncle Mo, Great-Aunt Gloria says he must take a quiz on “Auntieology and Uncleology.” After several wrong answers, Uncle Mo has a final chance at redemption: He must state his nephew’s favorite activity. When Leo springs into action to dance for his clueless uncle, a mishap leaves him mortified and un-bespectacled. Enter Uncle Mo to save the day by using a rubber band to secure Leo’s glasses. While Santat’s energetic illustrations do much to clarify the narrative, they can’t fully make up for the disjointed storytelling—it’s never clear why the two have entered this dimension or why Leo is suddenly so eager to help Uncle Mo. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Warm but underdone. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781250776990
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
A heartwarming reminder to embrace change.
A dog who belongs to an expecting couple adjusts to home life as a new baby arrives.
Pepita, the family pet, is beloved and still so little they call her Bebita (baby girl). But Pepita’s world is changing as her Mami and Papi await the arrival of a baby. Pepita is used to being spoiled “with treats and tummy rubs and my favorite fluffy pillow….But lately, things have been changing.” As the home gets new additions like a crib and gifts from the grandparents, Pepita feels left out, no longer the center of attention. Once the baby arrives, Pepita tries to adjust but is kept up at night by crying and doesn’t get playtime like before. But Pepita’s sweetness shines through as she finds ways to help out and bond with the new baby. “I feel so proud to be the big sister,” she concludes. The book is sprinkled with Spanish phrases, reflecting that Pepita is part of a Latine household; readers unfamiliar with Spanish will find the glossary helpful. Illustrations are warm and cuddly throughout, and the story is highly relatable; soon-to-be big siblings fretting over a new arrival will find it especially comforting. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A heartwarming reminder to embrace change. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 12, 2023
ISBN: 9780593566985
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2023
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