An uplifting story of family triumph amid turmoil.
A Black family perseveres over generations.
Soon after emancipation, a loving couple “plant new seeds with sun-kissed sweat and bow their heads to pray.” One of the pecan trees that takes root and sprouts becomes a focal point in their lives. As years pass, the “rocky ground” proves fruitful, bringing bountiful harvests, but hardship befalls the family: Their home is burned to the ground in a brutal attack, and the family’s patriarch dies. Still, they persist, rebuilding their home and, as the narrative jumps ahead to the Civil Rights era, making protest signs and marching for racial equality. Summer brings with it reasons to celebrate—a graduation, the arrival of a little one, and the joy of being together—as extended family gathers in the shade of the huge tree. Rodrigues’ lyrical verse sets a solemn tone, focusing on the passage of time as seasons shift and years go by. Law’s gouache illustrations depict characters primarily in greens and browns—an artistic choice that visually connects the family with their land. The lack of detail in facial features allows readers to see themselves, and their own ancestors, in the characters. The final image—portrait, rather than landscape—once more focuses on the tree and ends the tale on a note of hope.
An uplifting story of family triumph amid turmoil. (author’s note, photograph, recipe) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2026
ISBN: 9781665957816
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Dec. 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2026
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones.
Not even the arrival of autumn can cool down this impetuous squirrel.
Although Squirrel is skeptical about Bird’s vegetable patch (“Nothing is HAPPENING!”), Bird does produce five (count them) lovely pumpkins. Squirrel picks out a favorite: “The enormous orange one.” Bird hints that Squirrel might want to help out; Squirrel sets out to fetch some work gloves and returns to find only four pumpkins. The frequently distracted Squirrel notices more gourds disappearing and leaps to the conclusion that a thief is near. And where’s Bird?! Has Squirrel’s pal also been taken? Diligently detecting, Squirrel finds clues—peck marks, footprints, and more—and produces a sketch of the suspect. As readers will guess, each clue turns out to point to one of Squirrel and Bird’s friends. Turns out Bird was delivering pumpkins to their pals while saving the big one to give to “my very best friend,” Squirrel. But why does Squirrel haul it up a tree? “So the Pumpkin Thief can’t find it, of course!” A page of pumpkin facts provides the learning component common to all titles in this series. Once more, readers will enjoy the pleasure of prediction and repetition, Squirrel’s silly persistence, Bird’s generosity, and the vibrant color illustrations, balancing orange with green.
More fun antics to satisfy returning fans and snag new ones. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 28, 2026
ISBN: 9781464268076
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: Aug. 11, 2026
Empowerment to children to be the change they wish to see in the world.
Be a “somebody” who makes a difference!
A Black child witnesses various transgressions over the course of a day. Noticing trash on the walk to the bus stop, the young narrator thinks, “Somebody should do something about that.” Two students push their way ahead of everyone else in order to get good seats on the school bus, prompting the child to muse, “Somebody should speak up about that.” Throughout the day, the child notices examples of bullying and unfairness. These seemingly minor infractions start mounting. Finally, when the protagonist’s teacher tells the students that it’s snack time, the narrator notices that some students don’t have anything to eat. Instead of wishing for a “somebody,” the perceptive pupil realizes, “I am Somebody” and shares food with the others. The epiphany doesn’t stop there. When the narrator arrives home and notices there are toys everywhere but Mom is on a work call, the child responds to Mom’s request for help by cleaning up the mess. Accompanied by simple yet expressive illustrations, this is a loving and much-needed story that encourages kids to make a difference; pair it with Joshunda Sanders’ I Can Write the World (2019), illustrated by Charly Palmer. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Empowerment to children to be the change they wish to see in the world. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 27, 2023
ISBN: 9780762480517
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Review Posted Online: March 28, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2023
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