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IF YOU MAKE A MOSOM TEA

Name: IF YOU MAKE A MOSOM TEA
Author: Tonya Simpson
ISBN: 9781459842007

by Tonya Simpson ; illustrated by Emily Côté ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 17, 2026

Tender and thoughtful.

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In this tale riffing on Laura Joffe Numeroff and Felicia Bond’s If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (1985), a child tends to a beloved grandfather.

“If you make a Mosom tea, he will want some bannock to go with it,” an unseen narrator notes. Tea will inevitably lead to storytime as the elder reminisces about a childhood free of TV but rife with good times, from playing hockey to fashioning his own toys from wood. Next, Mosom will want to show off photos from his youth—don’t forget to help him find his reading glasses (“Oh, they are in his pocket!”). After a snack, Mom will help him check his blood sugar; he’s a bit nervous of needles, so “you can help by holding his hand.” Next, it’s time for a walk; Mosom will point out plants and berries—perhaps you can both pick some saskatoons to have with bannock. “Chances are, if Mosom is going to have bannock and berries, he is going to ask for some tea”—cleverly bringing this warm story of intergenerational bonding full circle. Simpson (Pasqua First Nation) matter-of-factly demystifies potentially overwhelming or unfamiliar aspects of aging while also adeptly incorporating elements of Native culture; Côté’s illustrations are labeled with Cree words, defined at the end in a picture glossary. Occasionally on the static side, the artwork is at its best while depicting outdoor scenes and animals. Mosom is brown-skinned; Mom and the child are lighter-skinned.

Tender and thoughtful. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 17, 2026

ISBN: 9781459842007

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Orca

Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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THIS LAND IS A LULLABY
by Tonya Simpson ; illustrated by Delreé Dumont

- BOOK REVIEW
FOREVER OUR HOME
by Tonya Simpson ; illustrated by Carla Joseph

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

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I GOT YOU

by Derrick Barnes ; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2025

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.

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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)