A dynamic adventure tale, based on a true story, told in evocative images and prose.
In this picture book, a young girl realizes her desire for seafaring escapades.
“One night, as the silver moon shone bright, / I dreamed I was on a BIG adventure in a tiny boat.” In Conrad’s lovely work, based on her memoir, Inside: One Woman’s Journey Through the Inside Passage (2016), the dream of a little White girl named Suz comes true when she grows up. She acquires a rainbow-colored kayak named Kami and embarks on a 1,200-mile ocean voyage from Northern Washington state to Southern Alaska through the famous coastal “water trail” called the Inside Passage. The tale’s first-person narrative is alive with Suz’s determination, excitement, serious preparation, and appreciation for the wildlife she observes on land and in the sea. She sees beautiful and rugged scenery as she navigates busy ocean lanes, including “steep-walled fjords, just a sliver on the sea”; passes through a rainforest; and camps onshore. Suz faces challenges but relies on her skill and reliable Kami to bring her safely to her destination. Conrad’s light touch with her narration is well matched by Rothman’s graceful, full-color illustrations, ensuring readers’ engagement in the young kayaker’s sense of wonder and discovery. The book also includes information about Conrad and Rothman, “Fun Facts” that expand on elements in the text, lively commentary from the author about her real-life Inside Passage journey, and an inspirational “whatever makes your heart zing—do that” message.
A dynamic adventure tale, based on a true story, told in evocative images and prose.Pub Date: Oct. 21, 2021
ISBN: 978-1736590607
Page Count: 46
Publisher: Driftwood Publishing
Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
PERSPECTIVES
Blandly inspirational fare made to evoke equally shrink-wrapped responses.
An NBA star pays tribute to the influence of his grandfather.
In the same vein as his Long Shot (2009), illustrated by Frank Morrison, this latest from Paul prioritizes values and character: “My granddad Papa Chilly had dreams that came true,” he writes, “so maybe if I listen and watch him, / mine will too.” So it is that the wide-eyed Black child in the simply drawn illustrations rises early to get to the playground hoops before anyone else, watches his elder working hard and respecting others, hears him cheering along with the rest of the family from the stands during games, and recalls in a prose afterword that his grandfather wasn’t one to lecture but taught by example. Paul mentions in both the text and the backmatter that Papa Chilly was the first African American to own a service station in North Carolina (his presumed dream) but not that he was killed in a robbery, which has the effect of keeping the overall tone positive and the instructional content one-dimensional. Figures in the pictures are mostly dark-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Blandly inspirational fare made to evoke equally shrink-wrapped responses. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-81003-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
A self-affirming tale with limited appeal.
Actor Kruger embraces her unusual name and bestows her daughter with a name with special significance.
To many, the name Diane doesn’t sound odd, but when the author was growing up in Germany, it didn’t “sound German at all, like Anna, Lena, or Heidi.” In this picture book, Kruger reminisces about the meaning of her name and how she came to appreciate it. Delicately drawn illustrations with a light watercolor wash first depict a young, blond, White-presenting Diane in red patchwork overalls with her blue-kerchiefed pet bunny, Benny. To escape childhood taunting, Diane reads to Benny as Puss in Boots, Little Red Riding Hood, and other fairy-tale characters look on. When her mother explains she was named for a goddess, presumably the Roman goddess Diana, “a fearless huntress, strong-willed, with magical powers,” young Diane begins to wonder what her own special powers will be. After she and her mother travel to London, depicted with diverse citizens, and Diane sees a play for the first time, she realizes her gift is storytelling. Adult readers, especially fans of Kruger, will recognize illustrated scenes from several of her movies. She concludes with a tribute to her daughter and the distinct name she gave her and asks children to ponder their own names and powers. Though the art is attractive, overall, this quiet, understated tale will resonate more with caregiving readers than with children. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A self-affirming tale with limited appeal. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 25, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-66265-091-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: minedition
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022
SEEN & HEARD
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