bookshelf

HABBI'S TREASURES

Name: HABBI'S TREASURES
Author: Yoojin Grace Wuertz
ISBN: 9780593891131

by Yoojin Grace Wuertz ; illustrated by Dung Ho ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 8, 2026

A delightful exploration of how stories can connect family across generations.

bookshelf

A boy learns from his Korean grandfather how clothes can tell a story.

The endpapers feature a montage of illustrated photographs depicting a young man at various stages of life—disco dancer, sailor, family man—that hints at the rich experiences of Caleb’s grandfather, affectionately referred to as Habbi. Wuertz’s concise narrative explains that Habbi’s house is “full of treasures.” Caleb and Habbi enjoy the aquarium full of fish, the “jungle plants that [reach] up to the ceiling,” and the model train set. When Habbi finds Caleb adorably trying on his old school uniform during a game of hide-and-seek, it sets the stage for Habbi to open up about moments from his life. Caleb’s thrilled when Habbi says Caleb is one of his treasures, and the two connect over family stories. As Caleb tries to imagine Habbi’s life in college and the Navy, he also finds garments tied to more recent events, like Caleb’s mother’s wedding and play sessions with Caleb that left Habbi’s clothes stained. Ho’s detailed portraits blending the past and present day are enriched with dreamy textures and hues, supporting the overall themes of nostalgia and familial love. Another montage of photographs follows on the closing endpapers, cleverly reinforcing the characters’ bond: Caleb’s baby pictures, celebration photos, and a recent family portrait. Caleb’s mother is Korean; his father presents white.

A delightful exploration of how stories can connect family across generations. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2026

ISBN: 9780593891131

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Rise x Penguin Workshop

Review Posted Online: July 20, 2026

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2026

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY

bookshelf

THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022

Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.

bookshelf

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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S ENTERTAINMENT & SPORTS

- BOOK REVIEW
THERE'S A BEACH IN MY BEDROOM
by Kevin Jonas & Danielle Jonas ; illustrated by Courtney Dawson

bookshelf

I GOT YOU

by Derrick Barnes ; illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 15, 2025

Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.

bookshelf

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)