With few picture-book reflections of pregnancy and infant loss, this warmhearted title is welcome.
A story for parents and their rainbow babies, children born after a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss.
Looking down from a candy-colored world, the “rosy-cheeked and sparkly-eyed” children who died during pregnancy or early infancy are overjoyed to learn about their new rainbow siblings. They write letters to convey their happiness, bring parents peace, and remind rainbow babies that they have loving siblings watching over them. The book concludes with a place for readers to write their own rainbow letter and tape in an ultrasound picture; also included is a message for parents from a licensed marriage and family therapist. The illustrations are cartoonish, depicting the lost children as preschool-aged; they and the families with rainbow babies are diverse. The lost children are shown living above our world in the clouds; however, there is no mention of religion. At times cloying, the rhyming text centers children, although much of the comfort will likely be absorbed by parents rather than youngsters. The book neglects to acknowledge that kids don’t have to define themselves merely by those who came before them, nor are they responsible for making up for past losses. That said, given that there are very few picture books that directly address this topic and fewer still that explore the impacts of these losses on families of color, it’s a title that will be appreciated by many. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
With few picture-book reflections of pregnancy and infant loss, this warmhearted title is welcome. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 7, 2023
ISBN: 9781953859600
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Soaring Kite Books
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school...
The familiar theme of the challenges facing a new kid in town is given an original treatment by photographer Border in this book of photos of three-dimensional objects in a simple modeled landscape.
Peanut Butter is represented by a slice of white bread spread with the popular condiment. The other characters in the story—a hamburger with a pair of hot dogs in tow, a bowl of alphabet soup, a meatball jumping a rope of spaghetti, a carton of French fries and a pink cupcake—are represented by skillfully crafted models of these foods, anthropomorphized using simple wire construction. Rejected by each character in turn in his search for playmates, Peanut Butter discovers in the end that Jelly is his true match (not Cupcake, as the title suggests), perhaps because she is the only one who looks like him, being a slice of white bread spread with jelly. The friendly foods end up happily playing soccer together. Some parents may have trouble with the unabashedly happy depiction of carbs and American junk food (no carrots or celery sticks in this landscape), and others may find themselves troubled by the implication that friendship across difference is impossible.
Still, preschoolers will likely savor this mouthwatering treatment of a subject that looms large in many early school experiences. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 29, 2014
ISBN: 978-0-399-16773-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: May 13, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2014
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series.
Another creature is on the loose.
The long-running series continues its successful formula with this Hallmark card of a book, which features bright illustrations and catchy rhymes. This time, the mythical creature the racially diverse children set out to catch is an absent mom who does it all (lists of descriptors include the words banker, caregiver, nurse, doctor, driver, chef, housekeeper, teacher, entertainer, playmate, laundry service, problem solver, handywoman, cleaner, and alarm clock) but doesn’t seem to have a job outside the home and is inexplicably a dinosaur. As the children prepare gifts and a meal for her, the text becomes an ode to the skills the Mamasaurus possesses (“Day or night she’s always there. / She meets every wish and need”) and values she instills (“Sometimes life can mean hard work,” “kindness matters,” and “what counts is doing your best”). This well-intentioned selection veers into cliche generously sprinkled with saccharine but manages to redeem itself with its appreciation for mothers and all that they may do. Endpapers include a “to” and “from” page framed in a heart, as well as a page where young gift givers or recipients can draw a picture of their Mamasaurus.
A syrupy tribute to mothers that may please fans of the series. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781728274300
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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