A book to sink your teeth into.
The creators of Soul Food Sunday (2021) reunite for another window into familial tradition, as enjoyable as hot honey butter.
One sleepy Friday morning, a Black grandmother and child (who narrates) follow Granny’s weekly predawn ritual. Piling into a vehicle that’s teeming with supplies, the duo take off for the pier, where admiring onlookers beckon the “fish magnet queen” to a throne befitting the title—an upturned bucket. Here, Granny proves herself worthy of the crown, reeling in catch after catch and offering her grandchild the chance at a similar thrill. Once the bucket brims, dinnertime preparations begin, and the text turns instructive, with thrice-repeated onomatopoeic actions keeping time to the culinary progress. When the sides arrive, brought by an eager array of family members, hushpuppies made by our protagonist steam alongside fish freshly fried by Granny, all ready for sharing. Bingham’s text marries straightforward descriptions and naturalistic dialogue with propulsive, alliterative exclamations. The effect is immersive; readers will feel as though they’re being ushered through the front door and offered a plate. Esperanza’s illustrations serve up a feast for the eyes. Playfully angled perspectives evoke movement; visual details—from Adinkra symbology to proof of Granny’s military service—are meticulous, specific, and in service of worldbuilding so thorough that the work seems biographical. Esperanza captures facial expressions with an ultra-realism elevated by backdrops done in fantastical Technicolor. The result is reminiscent of Kehinde Wiley’s art, every page worthy of framing.
A book to sink your teeth into. (author’s and cook’s note, recipe for hand-rolled honey hushpuppies) (Picture book. 6-9)Pub Date: July 8, 2025
ISBN: 9781419766930
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: April 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
PERSPECTIVES
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
A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D.
Breakout kid barber J.D. embraces a summer of opportunity.
Readers met J.D. Jones just as he took his hometown of Meridian, Mississippi, by storm, winning himself community acclaim and a chair at the revered Hart and Sons barbershop in series opener J.D. and the Great Barber Battle(2021). What’s next for the haircut prodigy? School’s just getting out, and there’s so much life happening outside—if only one can escape home learning with the grandparents. J.D.’s sister, Vanessa, brings along multitalented mutual friend Jessyka to share an ambitious challenge: “Let’s start a YouTube channel!” Can they get millions of views and wow the whole world? They are already amazing at haircuts and hairstyles—all they need is to learn how to make a great YouTube video. The story models strategies for scripting short videos reflecting the templates of viral YouTube hair tutorials, inviting readers to not only see the journey of the characters, but maybe also practice these skills at home. This book is bound to educate all about some of the most storied and cherished traditions within the Black community. Bringing in Vanessa is a great touch to extend the series across gender, and hopefully she’ll get a chance to lead her own adventures. This book blends skill-building, entrepreneurship, and strong family values to give young Black children visions of what’s possible when they follow their passions and embrace their community.
A strong second outing for Dillard and J.D. (Fiction. 6-9)Pub Date: Aug. 3, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-11155-0
Page Count: 128
Publisher: Kokila
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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