A resourceful, expertly written tale that explores and validates children’s emotions.
A child copes with anger in this picture book.
Using the refrain “Sometimes when I’m mad,” a girl explains what happens when “everything goes wrong.” Mama says, “Sometimes when we’re mad, it’s because we can’t control what’s happening,” advising her to focus on what she “can control.” Working on a puzzle makes the girl feel better. When she is mad because “nothing feels right,” like her “socks are too scratchy,” Papa tells her: “When we feel mad, we may be tired.” Following a nap, she feels less irritated. After she notes, “When I’m mad, my body doesn’t feel good,” she receives a soothing hug from Grandma. When the girl reacts in ways “that don’t help,” such as yelling at her brother, Grandpa suggests apologizing. On the playground, the girl doesn’t know “how to act.” Her teacher points out: “Sometimes when we’re mad, it’s hard to understand…what we’re feeling and why.” He recommends talking to a trusted person. Chatting with Mama improves the girl’s mood. The story portrays realistic scenarios that will resonate with readers. Serani, a psychologist, utilizes approachable language and helpful examples that demonstrate tools and coping skills. The insights are ideal for kids and adults. Teis’ graphic illustrations, which depict an Asian American family, have an unusual, photographic quality. They thoughtfully emphasize the girl’s emotions and body language, as when she sits alone feeling “icky and tricky.” Many feature colorful backdrops with textures like scratches and lines.
A resourceful, expertly written tale that explores and validates children’s emotions.Pub Date: Sept. 21, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-63-198609-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing
Review Posted Online: July 16, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift.
A paean to teachers and their surrogates everywhere.
This gentle ode to a teacher’s skill at inspiring, encouraging, and being a role model is spoken, presumably, from a child’s viewpoint. However, the voice could equally be that of an adult, because who can’t look back upon teachers or other early mentors who gave of themselves and offered their pupils so much? Indeed, some of the self-aware, self-assured expressions herein seem perhaps more realistic as uttered from one who’s already grown. Alternatively, readers won’t fail to note that this small book, illustrated with gentle soy-ink drawings and featuring an adult-child bear duo engaged in various sedentary and lively pursuits, could just as easily be about human parent- (or grandparent-) child pairs: some of the softly colored illustrations depict scenarios that are more likely to occur within a home and/or other family-oriented setting. Makes sense: aren’t parents and other close family members children’s first teachers? This duality suggests that the book might be best shared one-on-one between a nostalgic adult and a child who’s developed some self-confidence, having learned a thing or two from a parent, grandparent, older relative, or classroom instructor.
A sweet, soft conversation starter and a charming gift. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 1, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-943200-08-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Compendium
Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2017
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
