A steadfast hymn from daughter to mother.
Grammy Award–winning musician Chiquis draws from personal experience for the story of a grief-stricken girl rediscovering her voice.
The child works in the garden alongside her abuelita. Among the flowers and Abuelita’s honeybees, the young gardener recalls her late mother’s wise words: “Whenever you have a problem, sing in this garden.” Memories flood back: gardening with Momma, watching her mother perform before adoring crowds, and, above all, singing songs together. But sorrow silences the girl’s voice now. At her new school, bullies disparagingly point out that her budding vocal talents don’t measure up to her mother’s renowned singing prowess. As summer passes in Abuelita’s garden, the girl notices one “busy and unafraid” bee who works harder than the others. Moved by the bee’s efforts, the little singer rekindles her passion for singing. Soon, summer ends, the bee retreats underground, and the girl feels buoyed by her mother’s songs. This serene tale of hope amid grief hits the right notes. Inspired by her childhood as the daughter of Mexican American banda music singer Jenni Rivera (who died in 2012), her experiences being bullied at school, and her own musical success, Chiquis—with an assist from co-author Norman—merges an encouraging message of renewed inner strength with a poignant tribute to her mother, complemented by Rodríguez’s cozy artwork.
A steadfast hymn from daughter to mother. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9781250322999
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
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
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
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