Sheds some light on a disease fraught with confusion.
This Dutch/Belgian import sensitively but directly addresses a grandparent’s dementia.
Cathy’s grandparents own a toy shop. Cathy’s grandpa has been getting more and more forgetful. He leaves his glasses between the dolls on the shelf and doesn’t remember transactions that happened moments before. When Grandpa’s doctor suggests that he see a neurologist, they learn that “Grandpa has an illness which makes it more and more difficult for him to remember things.” Dementia is never named, but Swerts doesn’t shy away from other details. A brain scan is explained, and when Grandpa needs more help, terms such as assisted-living center and health care providers are introduced. Cathy is surprised and confused by Grandpa’s diagnosis, but she is determined to collect Grandpa’s favorite sights, sounds, and smells because she knows it will help later on. Grandpa eventually forgets Cathy’s name but instead affectionately calls her “dear girl.” Van Lindenhuizen’s soft palette shears off sharp edges, giving everything a cozy, comforting glow, just like a memory. No parents are ever depicted, suggesting a grandparent-led family. All characters are White. The backmatter is a puzzling misstep—instead of offering more information on dementia or coping methods for the subject, there is a maze to solve and open-ended questions about the beach. However, this, along with some clunky prose, may be related to the (uncredited) translation. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10.2-by-19.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 30.8% of actual size.)
Sheds some light on a disease fraught with confusion. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 20, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-60537-632-5
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Clavis
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.
When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.
As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9780593111451
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
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