An often-engaging book that effectively acknowledges and celebrates different ways of learning.
In Hoffman’s illustrated children’s book, a young girl struggles to convey stories on paper.
Jasmine is an elementary schooler with a passion for storytelling. She loves art and hearing her teacher read aloud, but has difficulty reading and writing herself. Her letters on the page are shaky, barely legible, and confusing to others because she mixes up cases and misspells words. She also has a hard time copying sentences from the chalkboard. Her hardest moments in class are when her teacher, Ms. Anderson, asks pupils to read their own writing aloud, or when she must work with others in a group. One day, Ms. Anderson gives her an assignment that makes her confidence plummet: She must tell a creative story on paper. The youngster has no idea if she can create a tale that other people will find comprehensible. Soon, though, she decides to convey a narrative through illustration instead of text: “The pictures came to life on the page as she presented her tale. Jasmine’s story sparkled.” Thus, in Hoffman’s most recent picture book since Big Dreams (2024), a young girl learns to embrace her talents. Although the main character’s learning difference isn’t explicitly identified, this story may inspire readers who experience issues such as dyslexia or dysgraphia, the latter of which seems underrepresented in children’s literature. The narrative might have benefited from the inclusion of an extra moment of conflict, as Jasmine finds her way to visual storytelling a little too quickly; however, this does not take away from the book’s overall quality. Mello’s illustrations feel larger than life and full of motion, whether they offer imaginative visions of Jasmine fearfully stumbling across huge books or being swept away by anxiety or joy. Jasmine is depicted with brown skin; other students are shown with a range of skin tones.
An often-engaging book that effectively acknowledges and celebrates different ways of learning.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: Nov. 18, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Visually sweet, though hampered by disjointed storytelling.
In this picture book from Fox News journalist Hall, a young hedgehog must find a way to protect his community when peril looms.
Hedgehog and his father both have busy days ahead. Dad’s on his way to the newspaper to report “what new news the news brings.” Hedgehog packs his backpack for an adventure, mindful of Dad’s rules: “Don’t talk to strangers” and “never ever cross the river alone.” Obeying the rules proves difficult when Hedgehog notices commotion on the other side of the river: A bear is hungrily eyeing Baby Owl, who’s fallen from her tree. With creative thinking, Hedgehog frightens off the bear and alerts Mama Owl, but the predator is still at large. So Hedgehog and Mama Owl create flyers to warn the forest residents. Though Motzo’s airy illustrations are pleasing—particularly the adorably animated Hedgehog, a tribute to Hall’s own children—the narrative feels bogged down with multiple themes as it attempts to explore the power of the written word, the importance of community, and the need to adhere to a parent’s rules. When Hedgehog apologizes for his apparent disobedience, Dad explains that Hedgehog never actually broke the rules; turns out it’s OK to cross the river in the company of an adult, and Mama Owl’s no stranger (she’s the town librarian, whom Hedgehog sees every week). The back-and-forth may leave readers confused; it also feels like a missed opportunity to discuss how to identify trustworthy adults.
Visually sweet, though hampered by disjointed storytelling. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 3, 2026
ISBN: 9780063357549
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Dec. 26, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2026
Another empowering outing led by a dynamic young role model.
The third title in the Ambitious Girl series finds young Maya wanting accomplished women to get their due.
On a school trip to Washington, D.C., brown-skinned, bubble-braided Maya is full of questions, among them “How many representatives are there?” and, while checking out the statues and monuments, “Where are all the women?” Maya’s teacher tells her that they’ve seen all the “popular” statues and monuments. Maya is as dogged (“But what about Eleanor Roosevelt? Or Mary McLeod Bethune?”) as her teacher is dismissive: “Those aren’t on my list.” (Maya’s teacher follows the same list every trip.) Back at home, Maya is newly awakened to the lack of female representation in her orbit—she notices that streets and “even her own school” are named for men. Is there anything she can do about this? Maya’s teacher’s cluelessness feels a bit implausible, more like a plot device to steer the story in the right direction, but Maya’s righteous indignation is believable, and her corresponding activism will energize readers. Valdez gets into the spirit of things with her invigorating digital art: Maya and her multiethnic classmates and neighbors are colorful dressers with smiling faces, which fosters a sense that wherever Maya goes, a warm and ebullient community is there for her.
Another empowering outing led by a dynamic young role model. (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Feb. 3, 2026
ISBN: 9780316561341
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2025
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.
