A meaningful portrait of a young child living and loving in a unique period of North American history.
Surrounded by the people she loves, Ukpik finds her traditional Inuit village changing as southern traders reach her homeland.
Based on the author’s memories, this picture book documents the jarring effects of contemporary culture on an Inuit child living in the farthest reaches of North America. It is summertime, and young Ukpik is delighted with her new husky puppy. As she goes about her chores on the open tundra, she ponders what to call him. She runs through her list of potential names—boss, sweetie, toy, pretty—offering readers an Inuktitut language lesson before a ship arrives. Suddenly, her father, or ataata, is shouting orders. Everyone in her camp is bustling about in preparation for the visitors, and Ukpik’s new dog is eclipsed for a moment by other novelties. Ataata trades his sealskins and fox furs for never-before-seen utensils: knives, forks, and spoons. Initially excited by them, Ukpik begins to feel anxious as she realizes the items represent an unseen world lurking at the boundary of her own. The book’s final pages contain a deeply touching moment as Ukpik’s uncertainty forces her to lean on the wisdom of her grandmother, who gives her advice about the permanence of love in the face of monumental change. Simple yet realistic cartoon illustrations of the isolated northern tundra complement the book’s thematic content without overpowering the author’s unique perspective.
A meaningful portrait of a young child living and loving in a unique period of North American history. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: April 2, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-77227-226-0
Page Count: 36
Publisher: Inhabit Media
Review Posted Online: Dec. 21, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.
The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.
Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)Pub Date: March 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780063329560
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Accessible, reassuring and hopeful.
This endearing picture book about a timid boy who longs to belong has an agenda but delivers its message with great sensitivity.
Brian wants to join in but is overlooked, even ostracized, by his classmates. Readers first see him alone on the front endpapers, drawing in chalk on the ground. The school scenarios are uncomfortably familiar: High-maintenance children get the teacher’s attention; team captains choose kickball players by popularity and athletic ability; chatter about birthday parties indicates they are not inclusive events. Tender illustrations rendered in glowing hues capture Brian’s isolation deftly; compared to the others and his surroundings, he appears in black and white. What saves Brian is his creativity. As he draws, Brian imagines amazing stories, including a poignant one about a superhero with the power to make friends. When a new boy takes some ribbing, it is Brian who leaves an illustrated note to make him feel better. The boy does not forget this gesture. It only takes one person noticing Brian for the others to see his talents have value; that he has something to contribute. Brian’s colors pop. In the closing endpapers, Brian’s classmates are spread around him on the ground, “wearing” his chalk-drawn wings and capes. Use this to start a discussion: The author includes suggested questions and recommended reading lists for adults and children.
Accessible, reassuring and hopeful. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Oct. 8, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-582-46450-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Aug. 20, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2013
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