An uncomplicated tale that provides bright colors and soothing repetition for young readers.
In Fritz’s illustrated children’s book, a little girl visits her grandmother to spend a lovely day picking vegetables in her garden.
A young girl named Linh adores both of her grandmothers, one of whom (Bà) lives far away. The other one, called Grandma, lives nearby, and Linh goes to visit her one day. Together, the two pick all sorts of vegetables from Grandma’s giant garden, from peas and potatoes to tomatoes and cabbages, and put them in Grandma’s blue bucket. Eventually, they remove their shoes to walk barefoot: “The warm, brown earth felt like a soft pillow. It squished between their toes. Linh followed, stepping in Grandma’s footprints.” When they finally return to the house, Linh helps her grandmother stir a pot of vegetable soup, which the two then enjoy for lunch. Every few pages, the author includes chants in a blue font that repeat three times (“Onions, parsley, and dill”; “Wash, peel, chop”) for young readers to join in and read aloud. Colors are repeatedly emphasized throughout the book, including “Grandma’s blue bucket,” “white butterflies,” a bumblebee landing on “a bright, red poppy,” and “Grandma’s orange tabby cat.” These colors are reflected in Shrestha’s accompanying illustrations, which feature bright hues but minimal depth. Fritz’s straightforward narrative provides little action, favoring simple, repetitive movements that are further emphasized by the chants in blue font. This results in a very quiet-feeling book (the most whimsical moment occurs when Linh eyes the vast field of onions and thinks, “There must be a dozen or maybe 200”) that focuses more on its setting than its plot. Audiences looking for a more energetic yarn should search elsewhere, but those wanting a soothing story with an emphasis on family and the outdoors will likely enjoy this book’s quaint, homey feel. Fritz has produced an uncomplicated but touching ode to the wonders and joys of the simpler things in life.
An uncomplicated tale that provides bright colors and soothing repetition for young readers.Pub Date: Oct. 23, 2025
ISBN: 9781038317483
Page Count: 28
Publisher: FriesenPress
Review Posted Online: Dec. 11, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
This warm family story is a splendid showcase for the combined talents of Medina, a Pura Belpré award winner, and Dominguez,...
Abuela is coming to stay with Mia and her parents. But how will they communicate if Mia speaks little Spanish and Abuela, little English? Could it be that a parrot named Mango is the solution?
The measured, evocative text describes how Mia’s español is not good enough to tell Abuela the things a grandmother should know. And Abuela’s English is too poquito to tell Mia all the stories a granddaughter wants to hear. Mia sets out to teach her Abuela English. A red feather Abuela has brought with her to remind her of a wild parrot that roosted in her mango trees back home gives Mia an idea. She and her mother buy a parrot they name Mango. And as Abuela and Mia teach Mango, and each other, to speak both Spanish and English, their “mouths [fill] with things to say.” The accompanying illustrations are charmingly executed in ink, gouache, and marker, “with a sprinkling of digital magic.” They depict a cheery urban neighborhood and a comfortable, small apartment. Readers from multigenerational immigrant families will recognize the all-too-familiar language barrier. They will also cheer for the warm and loving relationship between Abuela and Mia, which is evident in both text and illustrations even as the characters struggle to understand each other. A Spanish-language edition, Mango, Abuela, y yo, gracefully translated by Teresa Mlawer, publishes simultaneously.
This warm family story is a splendid showcase for the combined talents of Medina, a Pura Belpré award winner, and Dominguez, an honoree. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-7636-6900-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: April 14, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2015
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