A basic book to beef up a world-cultures collection.
Two sisters learn there is more to their favorite Chinese holiday than feasting and moon-gazing.
The narrator is excited to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival feast with her family. As the family “comes together and becomes whole again,” they give thanks and make a wish for the coming year. The narrator’s favorite part of the dinner is dessert: mooncakes with flaky crusts and yummy fillings, red bean for little sister and lotus seed for her. Each mooncake is decorated with the image of a beautiful lady in long flowing robes. “Who is this lady?” the sisters wonder. Their grandmother tells them the ancient tale of the archer, Hou Yi, and his wife, Chang’e. A long, long time ago, Hou Yi shot down nine out of the 10 suns in the sky that were scorching the Earth. As a reward, the Heavenly Immortals gave him the potion of eternal life. Hou Yi kept the potion in a safe place, but a thief tried to steal it, and Chang’e made a very big sacrifice. After hearing this tale, the narrator gains a new appreciation for the holiday and her family and finally makes her wish to Chang’e. While the modern context presented for this popular Chinese festival is noteworthy, sadly, the story does not otherwise stand out from the crowd. Both text and illustrations are staid, summoning little of the drama of the legend or the warmth the frame should provide.
A basic book to beef up a world-cultures collection. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 17, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-58089-746-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Charlesbridge
Review Posted Online: May 27, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This frenetic ode to fatherhood is predictable fare but may please series fans.
It’s time to look for the elusive Daddysaurus.
In this latest installment in the seemingly never-ending series about a group of diverse kids attempting to trap mythical creatures, the youngsters are now on the lookout for a big mauve dinosaur with an emblazoned D on his stomach and a superhero cape. The fast-moving Daddysaurus is always on the go; he will be difficult to catch. Armed with blueprints of possible ideas, the kids decide which traps to set. As in previous works, ones of the sticky variety seem popular. They cover barbells with fly paper (Daddysaurus like to exercise) and spread glue on the handle of a shovel (Daddysaurus also likes to garden). One clever trick involves tempting Daddysaurus with a drawing of a hole, taped to the wall, because he fixes everything that breaks. Daddysaurus is certainly engaged in the children’s lives, not a workaholic or absent, but he does fall into some standard tropes associated with fathers. The rhyming quatrains stumble at times but for the most part bounce along. Overall, though, text and art feel somewhat formulaic and likely will tempt only devotees of the series. The final page of the book (after Daddysaurus is caught with love) has a space for readers to write a note or draw a picture of their own Daddysaurus. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
This frenetic ode to fatherhood is predictable fare but may please series fans. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 1, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-72826-618-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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