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WE ARE THE BUILDERS!

Name: WE ARE THE BUILDERS!
Author: Deepa Iyer
ISBN: 9781665932431

by Deepa Iyer ; illustrated by Romina Galotta ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 17, 2024

Though light on practical details, this book will inspire social justice–minded readers.

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Lawyer and racial justice advocate Iyer has adapted her “social change ecosystem map”—a framework that explains how people can make a difference—into a picture book for young activists.

It’s Community Day, a chance for kids and grown-ups alike to volunteer. A guide named Ramla walks everyone through a variety of roles involved in effecting social change, including builders, caregivers, and storytellers. On each page, Ramla describes a different role and asks: Who wants to join in? These questions are posed to the book’s characters, but they can easily be interpreted as a call to action for readers, too. The book’s rhyming, often poetic text and its use of repetition make it a good read-aloud option. Iyer links some roles to specific actions, such as the experimenters, who upcycle old rags and bottles into backpacks. Others are described more abstractly, such as the weavers, who “find what connects / you and me.” The backmatter offers thought-provoking questions for readers but doesn’t explore these roles more in depth or include specific task suggestions. The watercolor and colored pencil illustrations are filled with details, inviting curious youngsters to find something new on each reread. The community is diverse; the only named character, Ramla, is a hijabi with dark brown skin.

Though light on practical details, this book will inspire social justice–minded readers. (author’s note, social change ecosystem map) (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2024

ISBN: 9781665932431

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: June 15, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2024

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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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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THE COOL BEAN MAKES A SPLASH

From the I Can Read! series

by Jory John ; illustrated by Pete Oswald ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 26, 2024

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.

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The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.

Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)