Both appealing and useful for expectant mothers who already have children.
A month-by-month explanation of fetal development from the fertilization of the egg to just after delivery of a newborn baby.
Designed for adults to share with children, this is a clear depiction of the fetal journey. Each spread covers a month. On verso is a general statement about size and appearance, a comparison to a similarly sized fruit or vegetable, a “did you know” fact about animal baby development, and answers to two other relevant questions. The recto page describes how Mama feels. Mixed-media illustrations include full-page scenes and small vignettes, with figures helpfully edged with a fine black line. The subject mom and child are white, but groups include the variety of races typical of a diversely populated urban area. The text is accurate and informative; the chosen facts have solid child appeal. At 5 months, for example, the baby is the size of an eggplant and “covered in a layer of hair, called lanugo, and also sticky white stuff, known as vernix.” Elephant babies are also covered with hair before they are born. The text and some images in this British import have been edited for the U.S. audience. Further information is provided in two pages of backmatter. The co-authors, parents themselves, run a popular website that includes a parenting blog.
Both appealing and useful for expectant mothers who already have children. (Nonfiction. 4-8)Pub Date: May 4, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-84780-975-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: March 5, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2017
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
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
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