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SAME LOVE, DIFFERENT HUG

Name: SAME LOVE, DIFFERENT HUG
Author: Sarah Hovorka
ISBN: 9780358712817

by Sarah Hovorka ; illustrated by Abbey Bryant ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 13, 2023

Will show readers that their options for expressing affection are many.

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What kind of a hugger are you—“rough, tough never enough” or “gentle, slow don’t-let-go”?

Although Hovorka’s children found it hard to give her hugs for fear of hurting her due to her disability, they soon discovered that there were many different ways to hug—a realization that led to this book. Readers may already be familiar with bear hugs, but what about “don’t-look-back sneak-attack” hugs or a “big-grin around-we-spin” hug, shared in an accompanying illustration by a child and an adult wheelchair user twirling around together? Sometimes it’s best to save a hug for later, send a “stay-in-place need-my-space wave,” or create a secret handshake instead. Group hugs can be the cure for a day when “sadness swells to the brim,” and celebration days usually require a “skip, prance happy-dance HUG!” The brief, fun rhymes and creative names for the hug variations make reading aloud fun for storytellers and listeners alike. By turns soothing and action-packed, earth-toned cartoon illustrations capture a wide range of situations, from quiet, loving support when someone is sick or in need of alone time to the playful exuberance of big celebrations. Depicting a diverse group of people modeling many versions of loving behavior, these images are ideal for young readers exploring social-emotional skills and learning to respect others’ personal boundaries and preferences. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Will show readers that their options for expressing affection are many. (Picture book. 3-7)

Pub Date: June 13, 2023

ISBN: 9780358712817

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: April 11, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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ELBOW GREASE VS. MOTOZILLA

by John Cena ; illustrated by Howard McWilliam ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 8, 2019

Engines won’t be the only thing roaring their approval when this book hits storytime.

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Who needs sanity when you’ve got family?

The title character of Elbow Grease (2018) and his family of Demolition Derby trucks return to face an all-new competitor. Once again, ’Bo is feeling inadequate next to his fan-favorite brothers. Despite Mel the Mechanic’s encouragement—he’s “the best at getting better”—he wants to be noticed. But instead, he notices someone unavoidable. Motozilla, the monster machine that turns trucks “into crunch sandwiches,” is currently undefeated. Trouble is, you’d need a truck with an array of skills to take him down. Thinking fast, ’Bo makes the wild and somewhat improbable suggestion that he and his brothers join together to form a single supertruck. Will it be enough to take down this bully? Quips, jests, and teamwork are the name of the game as pro wrestler Cena improves on his writing in this second outing, which demonstrates that individual glory falls in the face of concentrated cooperation. Rollicking, radical art portrays the battle in all its gritty glory, mud and twisted metal galore. Human crowds show a diverse range of races and genders, and the trucks’ keeper, Mel, has light-brown skin and wears glasses.

Engines won’t be the only thing roaring their approval when this book hits storytime. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-5247-7353-3

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: June 29, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S TRANSPORTATION

- BOOK REVIEW
ELBOW GREASE
by John Cena ; illustrated by Howard McWilliam

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ALL KINDS OF SPECIAL

by Tammi Sauer ; illustrated by Fernando Martin ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 9, 2023

A sweet and refreshing reminder that community is all around us.

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A testament to the power of mangoes.

Brown-skinned Mia and Mama, who is darker-skinned, have moved into a new house. Mia loved their apartment and misses it but understands that Mama has wanted a house for so long; indeed, having a house has become Mia’s dream, too. It’s a pink two-story building with “five rooms. Eleven windows. And a whole lot of promise.” One of the things that makes this home so special is the mango tree in the yard. Mia is delighted to finally eat a ripe mango, special because it’s from their home. After that, the mangoes just keep coming and coming, and soon there are too many. But Mia quickly has the idea of sharing the fruit with the neighborhood. A full spread depicting racially diverse people eagerly mingling in Mia and Mama’s yard allows readers to see how wonderful it can be to find a new community. Mia decides, “There’s no such thing as too many mangos.” The light and optimistic story and the vibrant artwork complement each other smoothly. Collagelike illustrations in warm tones make inspired use of color, the pink of the new home contrasting well against the green of the lawn. The book will have readers considering what it means to forge new connections. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A sweet and refreshing reminder that community is all around us. (Picture book. 3-6)