A profoundly moving child-centered perspective on grief.
A community of elders helps a child make sense of loss.
“On Fridays after school, I ride the bus to Momma’s job.” Jamar’s mom is a therapist and caretaker of residents at a nursing home—folks who feel truly feel like family. Dancing Mr. Dillon “shuffles, slides, and spins” when he spots Jamar, and newcomer Mr. Riff giggles while “music from his lips and fingertips fills the room.” With her high expectations, “chewy-gooey cookies,” and nurturing gardening skills, Miss Neely is “one of [Jamar’s] favorites.” Her unexpected passing leaves the two elderly men and Momma to explain to Jamar the importance of giving “everyone their flowers while you’re with them. Because you never know when they will be moving on.” Bingham’s melodic first-person text elegantly captures the juxtaposition of Jamar’s highs and lows on delicate cream and blue backdrops that soften the undeniable realities of the child’s hurt. Radiant portraiture of the all-Black cast makes breathtaking use of light and perspective, while looser and lavishly textured mixed-media art features seams, scribbles, and a recurring fuchsia tulip motif. This resonant and blessedly concrete addition to picture books on death suits all collections and includes a creators’ note explaining the story’s origins; this is another powerful collaboration, following The Table (2024), co-authored by Wiley Blevins.
A profoundly moving child-centered perspective on grief. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2026
ISBN: 9780823462384
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Neal Porter/Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2026
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
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.
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)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9780593111451
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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.
