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MILO AND MONTY

Name: MILO AND MONTY
Author: Roxana de Rond
ISBN: 978-1-78628-352-8

by Roxana de Rond ; illustrated by Roxana de Rond ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 15, 2020

Some kids and some dogs are different, and this book wisely encourages loving them just the way they are.

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A family adopts two puppies and finds that the two dogs grow into quite different personalities.

Monty has brown fur and a confident, outgoing nature. Milo has golden fur and is shy and afraid of loud noises. He doesn’t like to be hugged and likes staying in safe, enclosed spaces. His owners, a single mom and her two kids, wonder whether Milo is happy with them. When their relatives come to visit, the family notices similarities between their cousin Henry and Milo. Henry is also shy, doesn’t want hugs, and withdraws to a quiet spot under a desk along with Milo. These differences are pointed out in dialogue in a matter-of-fact style, and the family later concludes together that Milo is happy in his own way. This calm acceptance of a cousin and a dog who are not like others in the family is conveyed in an understated, loving way that encourages empathy for differences. The mom and her children who own the dogs present white. Their visiting relatives are an interracial family with a white dad and a mom with brown skin; their children include a son with brown skin and two younger children with light skin. Both the human and canine characters gain personality from humorous illustrations full of the details of a busy family life with two dogs.

Some kids and some dogs are different, and this book wisely encourages loving them just the way they are. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: April 15, 2020

ISBN: 978-1-78628-352-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Child's Play

Review Posted Online: Feb. 25, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2020

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

- BOOK REVIEW
A BOOK ABOUT BUPKES
by Leslie Kimmelman ; illustrated by Roxana de Rond

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.

Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: March 29, 2022

ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin

Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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HOW TO CATCH A MAMASAURUS

From the How To Catch… series

by Alice Walstead ; illustrated by Andy Elkerton ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2024

A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.

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Another creature is on the loose.

The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.