An intriguing, loving biography that’s unfortunately marred by some disparaging clichés.
Stocker and Holzwarth tell the story of Evelyn Glennie, a profoundly Deaf world-renowned solo percussionist.
The story opens with Glennie’s musical childhood in the Scottish countryside. She was well on her way to becoming a skilled pianist and clarinetist when she started losing her hearing around the age of 10. Despite her doctor’s gloomy prognostication—“she’s never going to be able to play music”—young Evelyn refused to give up her dream. Drawn to her high school orchestra’s percussion section, she solicited the help of music teacher Ron Forbes, who taught her how to use her body to sense the vibrations of percussion instruments. Despite challenges, including the discrimination she faced as a Deaf person, Glennie persevered and was eventually accepted into the Royal Academy of Music in London. The story closes with a précis of her groundbreaking career achievements. Holzwarth’s illustrations—rendered in watercolor, gouache, and color pencil with digital touches—are charming and effectively portray the dynamics of sound visually. Some kids may be turned off by the wordy text and small font size. The implicit narrative framing of a disabled person as "inspirational" and having "overcome" their disability is problematic. This and the tired juxtaposition of Deaf school with failure and mainstream school with success are unfortunate blemishes in an otherwise sweet and educational book. Like too many children’s books featuring deafness, this story would appeal to hearing or oral Deaf children but might not be an appropriate choice for signing Deaf children.
An intriguing, loving biography that’s unfortunately marred by some disparaging clichés. (author's note, references) (Picture-book biography. 6-9)Pub Date: April 12, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-10969-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A fragmentary memoir, but warm, humorous and engaging overall.
Anecdotal paintings and reminiscences of two childhood years spent in China, by an artist now in her 90s.
Following up Once Upon a Full Moon (2007), an account of her family’s journey from Canada to Kwangtung province, Quan recalls 17 experiences or incidents during the stay. These include feasting on New Year’s Day (“Mama steamed a whole chicken inside a winter melon and made sweet red and green bean paste…”), gathering to watch a teen relative take a bucket shower (“We all laughed with glee”), and welcoming both a new piglet and, later, a new baby brother. Opposite each memory, a full-page, loosely brushed watercolor in a naïve style adds both cultural and comical notes with depictions of small, active or intent figures in village dress and settings. It’s a sunny picture, but there are references to the real dangers of pirates and brigands, as well as a comment about the author’s beloved Popo (grandmother) walking to church on bound feet. These, along with a final parting made particularly poignant since the baby, being foreign-born, had to be left in China for several years, keep it from becoming a sugary nostalgiafest.
A fragmentary memoir, but warm, humorous and engaging overall. (afterword, with photo of Popo) (Illustrated memoir. 6-9)Pub Date: March 12, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-77049-383-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2013
The pictures are a patchwork, but the authorial voice is distinct and the story has its unique aspects.
An astronaut’s story, from early adventures with his twin brother (who also became an astronaut) to record-breaking feats in space.
Though in most respects typical of astronaut profiles for younger readers, this one features unusually personal notes—a nod to his “girlfriend,” Amiko, and early childhood memories of hiding in the bedroom with his brother when their parents fought—and also vivid writing. Kelly describes re-entry as “like going over Niagara Falls in a barrel—but while you’re on fire!” In a personable voice he highlights major youthful experiences, then goes on to give quicker accounts of his training and career, which began with a life-changing reading of Tom Wolfe’s The Right Stuff (1979) and culminated in four missions capped by a year spent in orbit to track long-term physical changes, with his brother back on Earth serving as control. (Kelly will doubtless cover all of this in greater detail in his memoir for adult readers, scheduled for publication at the same time.) In an ill-judged attempt to fill in gaps, the illustrations, most of which are a mix of family snapshots and official NASA photos, alternate with or are superimposed on very simply drawn cartoon portraits or frames. The Kelly family is white; some astronauts and other figures in both the photos and in Ceolin’s scenes are dark-skinned.
The pictures are a patchwork, but the authorial voice is distinct and the story has its unique aspects. (Picture book/autobiography. 7-9)Pub Date: Oct. 17, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-5247-6377-0
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Crown
Review Posted Online: July 16, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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