by Ted Lewin & illustrated by Ted Lewin ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 2007
Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, N.Y., is a training place for boxers and wrestlers from all over the world including nine-year-old Sugar Boy Younan, who is preparing for the National Silver Gloves championship. With vibrant watercolors and a spare, almost poetic text, Lewin brings alive the hubbub of varied activities with all the different sights and sounds. Beginning with the title page’s double-page spread showing the gym from the street, and then throughout the book, words like thump, tip tap and bzzzzzzzzz! are scrawled across the pictures. Along with the big, busy gym scenes are sensitive paintings of individuals and even pencil sketches. Lewin shows people of all ages, sexes, sizes and colors practicing, watching, teaching and helping: “It’s everybody’s gym.” He emphasizes the excitement and the sheer joy: “THIS IS FUN!” Well-known for his portrayal of faraway places, Lewin returns to the world he described in I Was a Teen-aged Professional Wrestler (1993) to make this distinctive introduction for even younger readers. (Picture book. 5-9)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-1-59643-231-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Neal Porter/Roaring Brook
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2007
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by Ted Lewin ; Betsy Lewin ; illustrated by Ted Lewin ; Betsy Lewin
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by Kwame Alexander & illustrated by Tim Bowers ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2011
Having put together a band with renowned cousin Duck Ellington and singer “Bee” Holiday, Rooster’s chances sure look...
Winning actually isn’t everything, as jazz-happy Rooster learns when he goes up against the legendary likes of Mules Davis and Ella Finchgerald at the barnyard talent show.
Having put together a band with renowned cousin Duck Ellington and singer “Bee” Holiday, Rooster’s chances sure look good—particularly after his “ ‘Hen from Ipanema’ [makes] / the barnyard chickies swoon.”—but in the end the competition is just too stiff. No matter: A compliment from cool Mules and the conviction that he still has the world’s best band soon puts the strut back in his stride. Alexander’s versifying isn’t always in tune (“So, he went to see his cousin, / a pianist of great fame…”), and despite his moniker Rooster plays an electric bass in Bower’s canted country scenes. Children are unlikely to get most of the jokes liberally sprinkled through the text, of course, so the adults sharing it with them should be ready to consult the backmatter, which consists of closing notes on jazz’s instruments, history and best-known musicians.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-1-58536-688-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2011
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by Kwame Alexander & Deanna Nikaido ; illustrated by Melissa Sweet
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by Kwame Alexander ; illustrated by Dare Coulter
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by Maribeth Boelts & illustrated by Lauren Castillo ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2012
Boelts’ quiet tale celebrates the perseverance of a young girl as she attempts to achieve her goals
Soccer is a bittersweet mix of sorrow and joy for Sierra.
Sierra struggles with conflicting emotions about her new soccer team. Traveling out of the city, Sierra now plays on soccer fields unlike the one near the apartment where she lives with her aunt, which is exciting. However, being on this new team has some drawbacks. With most games on Saturdays—which is her aunt’s busiest day at the restaurant—Sierra is sad to be the only player without family members to cheer for her during games. Yet, with a little ingenuity, Sierra discovers a solution to her dilemma. Boelts focuses on the relationship between Sierra and her aunt, deftly portraying Sierra’s maturity and fortitude as she attempts to resolve the situation. Sierra, while dedicated to her sport, recognizes the importance and inspiring effect of her aunt’s support and encouragement. Castillo’s watercolor-and-ink illustrations of the city’s landscapes feature towering buildings in an austere setting. In contrast, drawings of Sierra’s home and her aunt’s workplace depict warm, cozy scenes. Scenes with the dark-skinned, crinkly-haired auntie and niece emphasize the close, nurturing relationship. Action-filled paintings of the soccer games capture the fast-paced excitement of the game.
Boelts’ quiet tale celebrates the perseverance of a young girl as she attempts to achieve her goals . (Picture book. 5-9)Pub Date: May 1, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4616-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: March 6, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2012
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