An exquisitely illustrated story that depicts a little-known piece of history.
“There once was a girl who was given no name,” this picture book opens.
Rather than claiming his infant daughter and giving her a name, a father abandons her in a marketplace. An elderly slave from Athens brings her home and raises her with the rest of the household slaves. Known as the Corinthian girl, she grows tall, shy, and strong. One day the master of the house, an Olympic athlete, spots his son playing with the girl. He is struck by her balance and speed and forms a plan. He’s determined to have her compete in the Heraean Games, an athletic contest for girls and women. With the spirit of a Spartan, she trains day and night, becoming faster, quicker, and stronger. When she finally competes, her strength and determination push her ahead of everyone, and all those gathered cheer. She brings such honor to her master that he names her Chloris and adopts her as his daughter. This fictionalized tale of a Heraean athlete celebrates a young girl’s athletic ability while authentically detailing what her life may have been like. Balit’s double-page watercolor illustrations use intricate patterns, stylized figuring, and bold colors to enhance the narrative and successfully immerse readers in ancient Greek life. A closing note details the origins of the Heraean Games as reported by Greek writer Pausanias while also acknowledging the scant written record. All characters present White. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An exquisitely illustrated story that depicts a little-known piece of history. (Historical fiction. 5-8)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-913074-72-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Otter-Barry
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
It’s a slam dunk
Lucy discovers that the way to learn to play basketball is with friends on a neighborhood court.
Lucy loves playing in the park, and one day she and her friends join their friend Ava and her cousin in their new favorite sport: basketball. Pro player Jermaine, aka “Coach J,” teaches all the basics—footwork, quick passes, dribbling, and a variety of shots. But he also encourages the players to keep trying when they miss, stresses the value of teamwork, and focuses on fun as they learn and later play a practice game. At the end of the workout, Coach J invites the young players to watch him and his team play. Written in loose rhyming couplets, the text has many near rhymes and inconsistent meter. While the storyline is predictable, the book is a good introduction to basketball terms, and young basketball players and fans will appreciate reading about themselves. Vivid silhouetted figures against a white background portray male and female players of several races; Lucy herself is white while Ava and Coach J are black. One young player competes from a wheelchair. A half page of backmatter explains the history of basketball, the NBA and its players, and wheelchair basketball, and one entry also explains the three-on-three basketball that the children play. The book publishes in a simultaneous French edition translated by Rachel Martinez.
It’s a slam dunk . (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4598-1697-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orca
Review Posted Online: May 7, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2019
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