Next book

SWING CAFÉ

This French import incorporates classic jazz tunes from the 1920s through ’50s with the determined aspirations of an angel-voiced Brazilian cricket. Zaz stows away to New York in a lady’s fancy hat, encountering poverty and stormy weather once there. A blue fly named Buster shows her the secret entrance (via a downward tunnel in the 26th lamppost on East 54th Street) to the Swing Café. Norac’s metaphor-strewn narrative creates interludes for specific musical compositions (heard along with the text on the accompanying CD). For example, Vess L. Ossman’s banjo tune “A Bunch of Rags” cues up when Zaz gets stuck in some banjo strings during her fall down to the café. Dautremer’s sophisticated illustrations combine surreal elements (wheeled boats and fire hydrants, for example), archival jazz posters and insects depicted as people, with merest species suggestions. Ellington dominates (no quibble there), but Fats, Cab and Ella get nods, too. The CD is narrated by David Frances and Brazilian-American singer Bebel Gilberto. The text’s a bit long on gratuitous adventure, but the package is unusual and fresh. (Picture book. 5-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2010

ISBN: 978-2-923163-62-8

Page Count: 54

Publisher: The Secret Mountain

Review Posted Online: July 29, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2010

Next book

HOW TO LOVE A PONY

From the Beginner Books series

A charming year in the life of a most idyllic farm; horse lovers will be entranced.

Let’s go for a pony ride!

Lily, a young Black child who lives on a farm, takes readers on a tour. Meadows’ verse leads us step by step through the seasons—ponies grazing in a pasture on a warm day, Lily taking part in a pony show in autumn, and ponies hunkering down in the barn, taking refuge from the “frost and snow” of winter. The easy rhythm of the text pairs well with Cloud’s soft, pastoral vistas. While the story is delivered with a light touch, it still shows the hard work of caring for a large animal. “Soapy water in a pail. / Gentle strokes from head to tail.” “Pick the hooves / for stone and dirt / I notice when / my pony’s hurt.” Exuding familial warmth, the bright artwork lets readers follow Lily from pastures to picnics—and even, best of all, to the arrival of a newcomer: “A foal is born / New life is here.” This easy reader will speak to any child who has wished for a pony of their own and refreshingly centers a family of color—something not often seen in similar titles.

A charming year in the life of a most idyllic farm; horse lovers will be entranced. (Early reader. 5-8)

Pub Date: May 2, 2023

ISBN: 9780593483169

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: March 13, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2023

Next book

THE NOTE WHO FACED THE MUSIC

Amusing but a little off tempo.

It’s important to hit all the right notes.

A tan-skinned musical composer with puffy black hair is busy at work on his next musical masterpiece when Half Note, a music symbol denoting two beats, feels unappreciated. Half Note is jealous of the more commonly used Quarter Note (one beat) and Eighth Note. Although the other musical symbols attempt to calm and comfort Half Note, she decides to run away. The next day, Composer needs Half Note and panics when he realizes that she’s gone. The other notes and musical symbols try to find her, but it’s only when they try to play her favorite song, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,” without her—with terrible results—that she comes running back. The story’s humor—which is largely based on “dad joke” puns—is completely dependent on readers’ musical knowledge. The artwork, a mix of acrylic and colored pencil, attempts to add some allegrezza to the piece, and while it’s not unsuccessful, it’s facing an uphill battle. Music teachers and musically minded caregivers may find some value in this story, but it will likely be too specialized for general readers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Amusing but a little off tempo. (glossary) (Picture book. 6-8)

Pub Date: March 14, 2023

ISBN: 978-1-64567-631-7

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Page Street

Review Posted Online: Dec. 23, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2023

Close Quickview