A simple Christian tale that reminds young girls of their inherent value and God’s love.
This picture book assures little girls that they don’t need to pretend to be royalty—they are all princesses “in God’s eyes.”
According to this volume’s dedication, Gabriel has set out to instill in young female readers the confidence that this audience so often lacks, urging them to “dream big. Very big. Hold tightly to the dreams that God has for you….You are very loved.” Early on in the story, readers are told: “It’s so fun to play dress-up, / But I hope you know, / You’re already a princess.” The author proceeds to remind them that they are daughters “of Christ the King.” The straightforward tale urges readers to use their God-given skills and strengths to serve their neighbors. The mostly rhyming encouragement is punctuated by colorful digital illustrations by Bearden of girls having tea parties, dressing in gowns, playing, and praying. The characters depicted are of various races and ethnicities. The earnest book is clearly aimed at a young Christian audience. For Christian girls who value the Bible’s teachings, this upbeat story provides them with the faith-based confidence to be the best they can be.
A simple Christian tale that reminds young girls of their inherent value and God’s love.Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-973665-94-6
Page Count: 38
Publisher: Westbow Press
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2020
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Fans of this popular series will find this a rewarding addition to family Easter celebrations.
Bergren and Bryant attempt to explain Easter to young children in a gentle, nonthreatening manner, with partial success.
When Little Cub questions her father about Easter, Papa Bear explains the religious significance of the holiday in various symbolic ways to his cub. He uses familiar things from their world, such as an egg and a fallen tree, to draw parallels with aspects of the Christian story. Papa Bear discusses his close relationships with Jesus and God, encouraging Little Cub to communicate with God on her own. The theme focuses on the renewal of life and the positive aspects of loving God and Jesus. Easter is presented as a celebration of eternal life, but the story skirts the issue of the crucifixion entirely. Some adults will find this an inadequate or even dishonest approach to the Easter story, but others will appreciate the calm and soothing text as a way to begin to understand a difficult subject. Bryant’s charming watercolor illustrations of the polar bear family, their cozy home and snowy forest scenes add to the overall mellow effect.
Fans of this popular series will find this a rewarding addition to family Easter celebrations. (Religion/picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-307-73072-5
Page Count: 40
Publisher: WaterBrook
Review Posted Online: Dec. 11, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2013
With a universal message of love and community, this book offers a beautiful representation of a too-often-overlooked...
From a debut author-and-illustrator team comes a glimpse into a young American Muslim girl’s family and community as she walks around in “Mommy’s khimar,” or headscarf.
The star of this sunny picture book is a young girl who finds joy in wearing her mother’s khimar, imagining it transforms her into a queen, a star, a mama bird, a superhero. At the core of the story is the love between the girl and her mother. The family appears to be African-American, with brown skin and textured hair. The girl’s braids and twists “form a bumpy crown” under the khimar, which smells of coconut oil and cocoa butter. Adults in her life delight in her appearance in the bright yellow khimar, including her Arabic teacher at the mosque, who calls it a “hijab,” and her grandmother, who visits after Sunday service and calls out “Sweet Jesus!” as she scoops her granddaughter into her arms. Her grandmother is, apparently, a Christian, but “We are a family and we love each other just the same.” The illustrations feature soft pastel colors with dynamic lines and gently patterned backgrounds that complement the story’s joyful tone. The words are often lyrical, and the story artfully includes many cultural details that will delight readers who share the cheerful protagonist’s culture and enlighten readers who don’t.
With a universal message of love and community, this book offers a beautiful representation of a too-often-overlooked cultural group . (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 3, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5344-0059-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Feb. 2, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2018
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