by Trish Cooke & illustrated by Paul Howard ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 2003
Happiness and comfort overflow in this cozy tale of domestic bliss. An African-American boy, Jay Jay, narrates the weekly event in which “uncles and aunties, cousins and friends” all gather at Grannie’s house for Sunday dinner. Jay Jay’s mother drops him off on her way to pick up his father, so he and Grannie, whose face is as soft and warm as a down comforter, wait for the other guests. Cooke (The Grandad Tree, 2000, etc.) portrays Jay Jay’s anticipation in true child form as he repeatedly asks if dinner’s ready yet and watches restlessly out the window. The focus on Jay Jay and Grannie in the beginning might lead the reader to expect more of a story about their relationship rather than a celebration of ritual and family, but a celebration it is. Cars full of relatives finally pull up and out tumble tired, but cheerful parents and excited kids. Howard’s (One Bright Penny, p. 1395, etc.) inviting illustrations capture the complex expressions and postures of the adults and the children’s giddy and gleeful faces. The rhyming dinner menu, which Jay Jay recites, is astounding. “There were buttery peas, chicken and yams, macaroni and cheese, potatoes and ham. Biscuits, gravy, collard greens, pasta salad, rice and red beans! There was apple pie and vanilla ice cream, fresh peach cobbler covered in steam, raspberry sauce, coffee and tea—plenty, plenty for everybody!” Though a February release, the content invokes the holiday season and voices the importance of family without forcing it down anyone’s throat. Nothing else could fit after that meal anyway. (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Feb. 1, 2003
ISBN: 0-7636-1851-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2002
Share your opinion of this book
More by Trish Cooke
BOOK REVIEW
by Trish Cooke ; illustrated by Caroline Binch
BOOK REVIEW
by Trish Cooke & illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
BOOK REVIEW
by Trish Cooke & illustrated by John Bendall-Brunello
by Anna McQuinn & illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 1, 2010
Lola’s daddy takes her to the library every Saturday, where she finds “excellent books,” and every night her mommy or daddy reads them to her. The next day Lola acts out the story. On Sunday she’s a fairy princess; on Monday she takes her toy animals “on fantastic trips to places like Paris”; on Wednesday she’s a tiger, etc. Each new book and day provides Lola with a variety of tales to play out, with the last one—which is about a wild monster—posing the question, “What will Lola be tomorrow?” The final page shows her in a wolf suit just like Max’s. The library books, the pretending and the incorporation of the days of the week work together as a simple and pleasing premise. Beardshaw’s acrylic illustrations depict the multicultural kids and Lola’s black family with childlike charm, while the title will have librarians, parents and booksellers smiling. Alert: The book will be an invitation for lap kids to follow Lola’s lead—not such a bad thing. (Picture book. 3-5)
Pub Date: July 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-58089-258-2
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: June 3, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2010
Share your opinion of this book
More In The Series
by Anna McQuinn ; illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
by Anna McQuinn ; illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
by Anna McQuinn ; illustrated by Ruth Hearson
More by Anna McQuinn
BOOK REVIEW
by Anna McQuinn ; illustrated by Ruth Hearson
BOOK REVIEW
by Anna McQuinn ; illustrated by Ruth Hearson
BOOK REVIEW
by Anna McQuinn ; illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw
by Lisa Wheeler & illustrated by R. Gregory Christie ‧ RELEASE DATE: Nov. 1, 2007
A snappy rhyming text celebrates an extended family’s joyous gyrations to the jazz spinning on the turntable. From waking to sleep, Baby’s right in the thick of it, as siblings, grandparents and cousins move and groove: “So they BOOM-BOOM-BOOM / and they HIP-HIP-HOP / and the bouncin’ baby boogies with a BOP-BOP-BOP.” Wheeler’s verse scans beautifully and begs to be read aloud—danced to, even—making this a fine choice for preschool and kindergarten story times. Christie’s bold, double-paged gouache compositions locate this colorfully garbed, expressively hip family within an equally vibrant community. As Baby’s big dark eyes get glassy with fatigue, the party winds down. “Daddy sings blues. / Mama sings sweet. / While that snoozy-woozy baby . . . / . . . sleeps deep, deep, deep.” Exultant and infectious, from the red-and-yellow-striped endpapers to the final “OH YEAH!” (Picture book. 3-6)
Pub Date: Nov. 1, 2007
ISBN: 978-0-15-202522-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harcourt
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2007
Share your opinion of this book
More by Lisa Wheeler
BOOK REVIEW
by Lisa Wheeler ; illustrated by Barry Gott
BOOK REVIEW
by Lisa Wheeler ; illustrated by Barry Gott
BOOK REVIEW
by Lisa Wheeler ; illustrated by Barry Gott
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.