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YOU ARE YOUR STRONG

Name: YOU ARE YOUR STRONG
Author: Danielle Dufayet
ISBN: 978-1-4338-2939-0

by Danielle Dufayet ; illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 19, 2019

Powerful and affirming.

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Children experience familiar frustrations that bring uncomfortable feelings such as worry, sadness, and fear.

A toy is lost; big waves crash; a pet is hurt. During each painful moment, an adult caregiver shows up and is present with the child, helping the child find strength. Papa shares “his brave” with his daughter to help her with “[her] scared”; Grandma shares “her love,” helping “sad” to fade away. When the children next face something difficult on their own, they find they have stores of inner strength and coping skills. This book explicitly tells its young readers, “You are more than just your feelings.” It encourages children to take the comfort they receive from caring adults and transmute it into their own strength. The children do so in lots of ways—they go outside, breathe softly, sing a favorite song, and draw with bright colors. The message is not to replicate any one specific strategy but to find any resonant strategy in the moment. Illustrations are realistic, emotive, and clear. However, the deep saturation and consistently dark palette make even the cheerful spreads feel a bit heavy. This setback is a minor one when compared to the book’s overall utility, which is amplified by a note from an anxiety specialist to parents and caregivers in the back. The cast is a diverse one.

Powerful and affirming. (Picture book. 4-10)

Pub Date: March 19, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-4338-2939-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Magination/American Psychological Association

Review Posted Online: Dec. 15, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
WAITING TOGETHER
by Danielle Dufayet ; illustrated by Srimalie Bassani

- BOOK REVIEW
FANTASTIC YOU
by Danielle Dufayet ; illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED

From the Little Blue Truck series

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2025

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.

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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)