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PARACHUTE

Name: PARACHUTE
Author: Danny Parker
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5469-8

by Danny Parker ; illustrated by Matt Ottley ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 11, 2016

The very air around Toby seems to vibrate, and it's a great relief when he leaves the parachute behind; readers know...

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A young boy learns to let go of the object that makes him feel safest in a picture book that effectively skews perspective to great effect (and great heights).

Wild-haired, fair-skinned, barefoot Toby wears an orange parachute pack all the time, whether he's climbing down from his enormously tall bunk bed or braving a huge elephant at the zoo. As with a security blanket, Toby's parachute isn't just a survival mechanism in case of a calamitous fall, but a catchall object to fight everyday fears. It's only when Toby has to put the parachute to use to save his cat that he begins to learn to work through scary situations alone. The text is effectively sparse, letting airy digital illustrations work their magic, turning Toby's fears into stretched, depth-filled fantasies of a bed above the clouds and an untethered treehouse floating toward space. An effective mix of variously proportioned panels and double-page spreads, the images are a delight of tension, as thrilling as they are scary when considered from Toby's point of view. If the message, of leaving a childhood object behind to grow up, is unremarkable, the words and pictures still work wonders, giving the child's panic emotional weight and visual flair at the same time.

The very air around Toby seems to vibrate, and it's a great relief when he leaves the parachute behind; readers know there'll be plenty more adventures without it. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 11, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-8028-5469-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Eerdmans

Review Posted Online: Jan. 8, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
MOLLY AND MAE
by Danny Parker ; illustrated by Freya Blackwood

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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)