Warm and heartfelt.
A child learns to cope with loss.
In rhyming text, a young narrator yearns for a recently departed grandparent, whose absence is felt in small, day-to-day moments: “I miss you most at dinner / when seafood stew is served. // I miss you in the ocean waves / that crash and splash and swerve.” Dark, muted colors and empty spaces emphasize the child’s grief and loneliness on each two-page spread. In time, with support from the rest of the family, the protagonist focuses on ways to remember the grandparent: “I see you in the mirror / through the sparkle of my smile.” “You’re with me in the twists and turns / of stories that I write.” “But most of all I feel you / in each kindness I return.” Gradually, the child finds comfort in cherished memories; clearly, this beloved grandparent has helped shape the young narrator’s life—and continues to do so. Cheng and Yan make an impressive team. Cheng’s lyrical text creates sensory snapshots that add richness and depth to this intergenerational bond, bolstered by Yan’s beautiful, softly textured digital illustrations, which make effective use of color to capture the protagonist’s feelings. Together, their storytelling packs a powerful emotional punch. The family at the center of this story is cued as Chinese.
Warm and heartfelt. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Aug. 27, 2024
ISBN: 9780593532997
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Rocky Pond Books/Penguin
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
An affirming, though lackluster, look at a loving queer family.
For his debut picture book, teacher and activist Chasten Buttigieg draws inspiration from life with husband Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. transportation secretary.
The big day has finally arrived! Rosie and Jojo have been counting down the days until Papa comes home from his work trip. With a little help from Daddy, they make “welcome home” signs to greet Papa at the airport, pick flowers from the garden, and bake a “seven-layer chocolate cake with purple and yellow frosting.” Much to Daddy’s bemusement, the kids gather all of Papa’s favorite things, including his robe and slippers and their adorable pooch, Butter, as they walk out the door to pick up Papa from his travels. The author offers an affectionate portrait of the everyday domestic life of a same-sex family unit. While many kids and adults will be pleased to see their experiences reflected on the page, both the choppy writing and the flat digital artwork are fairly bland. Characters display similarly excited facial expressions throughout, while the portrayal of the children borders on overly cutesy at times, with intentionally misspelled signs throughout the house (“Papa’s Very Spechull Garden. Please do not tutch”). Like the author’s actual children, Rosie and Jojo are brown-skinned, while Daddy and Papa present white.
An affirming, though lackluster, look at a loving queer family. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 20, 2025
ISBN: 9780593693988
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2025
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