A heartfelt reminder of the power of communal caring and sharing.
A young child eagerly greets family and neighbors while on an errand to the market and returns with additional treasures.
As Mama prepares tonight’s dinner, she asks her little one, “Can you help me buy some meat at the market?” The youngster, who narrates, energetically leaves with empty basket in hand. The villagers are already engaged in daily chores and jobs, giving the child plenty of opportunities to interact. Repeated animated exchanges of “zǎo ān” (Chinese for “good morning”) and “xiè xiè” (“thank you”) result in unexpected gifts: radishes from Ms. Chen, fresh-caught shrimp from Mr. Li, and persimmons and other treats from Grandma and Aunt Ruby, all to bring home to Mama. The child enjoys moments of play, splashing through puddles and trying “to turn a toad into a prince.” At the market, the protagonist picks up Mama’s special pork from Ms. Zhou, who adds a bone for the family puppy. After presenting Mama with the heavily laden basket, the young narrator announces “I have an idea” before dashing back through the village to invite others to enjoy Mama’s toothsome meal together. Canadian author Wong’s welcoming tale of connected community is lovingly enhanced by Zhu’s pastoral illustrations, their earthy tones highlighting the warmth enjoyed throughout the village. Backgrounds, clothing, and the few Mandarin phrases (untranslated but easily discernible from the context) suggest a Chinese setting.
A heartfelt reminder of the power of communal caring and sharing. (Picture book. 4-9)Pub Date: Sept. 9, 2025
ISBN: 9781836290186
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Lantana
Review Posted Online: Aug. 2, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2025
This outing lacks the sophistication of such category standards as Clementine; here’s hoping English amps things up for...
A gentle voice and familiar pitfalls characterize this tale of a boy navigating the risky road to responsibility.
Gavin is new to his neighborhood and Carver Elementary. He likes his new friend, Richard, and has a typically contentious relationship with his older sister, Danielle. When Gavin’s desire to impress Richard sets off a disastrous chain of events, the boy struggles to evade responsibility for his actions. “After all, it isn’t his fault that Danielle’s snow globe got broken. Sure, he shouldn’t have been in her room—but then, she shouldn’t be keeping candy in her room to tempt him. Anybody would be tempted. Anybody!” opines Gavin once he learns the punishment for his crime. While Gavin has a charming Everyboy quality, and his aversion to Aunt Myrtle’s yapping little dog rings true, little about Gavin distinguishes him from other trouble-prone protagonists. He is, regrettably, forgettable. Coretta Scott King Honor winner English (Francie, 1999) is a teacher whose storytelling usually benefits from her day job. Unfortunately, the pizzazz of classroom chaos is largely absent from this series opener.
This outing lacks the sophistication of such category standards as Clementine; here’s hoping English amps things up for subsequent volumes. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Dec. 17, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-547-97044-8
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 1, 2013
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2013
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
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
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
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.
