Intellectual lessons and a glimpse at Brazilian American culture fit seamlessly together.
Piecing together a jigsaw puzzle helps twins Lia and Luís work on spatial skills while solving a mystery.
In their second Storytelling Math outing, the excited young Brazilian Americans (who, Crespo mentions in an author’s note, speak in a São Paulo accent) receive a puzzle from their Vovó (grandmother) with a secret message and immediately notice that some pieces have one or two straight sides. “It’s a clue!” Sorting ensues, as well as matching contours and turning pieces until each one fits. Meanwhile, Mamãe is urging them to hurry (“Rápido!”) because they have to leave soon. Where to? The finished puzzle turns out to be a picture of Vovó saying “Até Já!” (“See you soon!”)…which solves the mystery just in time for a scramble to the airport and a joyful greeting: “Que saudade!” “We missed you too, Vovó!” It’s a brief but age-appropriate introduction to spatial skills that will appeal to kids. The olive-skinned twins are visibly lighter than their Mamãe and Vovó—realistic variations in hue—in the simple, sunny art. The final pieces are laid down with a list of Portuguese expressions used in the narrative and an educator’s explanation of the math related skills exercised here that features suggestions for enhancement activities. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Intellectual lessons and a glimpse at Brazilian American culture fit seamlessly together. (Math picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 7, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-62354-322-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: Nov. 15, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2022
A visually striking, engaging picture book that sends the message that everyone counts.
A playful counting book also acts as a celebration of family and human diversity.
Shannon’s text is delivered in spare, rhythmic, lilting verse that begins with one and counts up to 10 as it presents different groupings of things and people in individual families, always emphasizing the unitary nature of each combination. “One is six. One line of laundry. One butterfly’s legs. One family.” Gomez’s richly colored pictures clarify and expand on all that the text lists: For “six,” a picture showing six members of a multigenerational family of color includes a line of laundry with six items hanging from it outside of their windows, as well as the painting of a six-legged butterfly that a child in the family is creating. While text never directs the art to depict diverse individuals and family constellations, Gomez does just this in her illustrations. Interracial families are included, as are depictions of men with their arms around each other, and a Sikh man wearing a turban. This inclusive spirit supports the text’s culminating assertion that “One is one and everyone. One earth. One world. One family.”
A visually striking, engaging picture book that sends the message that everyone counts. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 26, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-374-30003-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Frances Foster/Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Review Posted Online: Feb. 2, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2015
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Count on construction die-hards falling in love, but discerning readers would be wise to look elsewhere for their...
Less ambitious than Chris Gall’s widely known Dinotrux (2009) and sequels, this British import systematically relegates each dinosaur/construction-equipment hybrid to its most logical job.
The title figures are introduced as bigger than both diggers and dinosaurs, and rhyming text and two construction-helmeted kids show just what these creatures are capable of. Each diggersaur has a specific job to do and a distinct sound effect. The dozersaurus moves rocks with a “SCRAAAAPE!!!” while the rollersaurus flattens lumps with a cheery “TOOT TOOT!!” Each diggersaur is numbered, with 12 in all, allowing this to be a counting book on the sly. As the diggersaurs (not all of which dig) perform jobs that regular construction equipment can do, albeit on a larger scale, there is no particular reason why any of them should have dinosaurlike looks other than just ’cause. Peppy computer art tries valiantly to attract attention away from the singularly unoriginal text. “Diggersaurs dig with bites so BIG, / each SCOOP creates a crater. // They’re TOUGH and STRONG / with necks so long— / they’re super EXCAVATORS!” Far more interesting are the two human characters, a white girl and a black boy, that flit about the pictures offering commentary and action. Much of the fun of the book can be found in trying to spot them on every two-page spread.
Count on construction die-hards falling in love, but discerning readers would be wise to look elsewhere for their dino/construction kicks. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 2, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-9848-4779-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Jan. 14, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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