by Gauri Dalvi Pandya ; illustrated by Avani Dwivedi ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 15, 2024
A tender tribute to the importance of preserving memories of one’s homeland.
An Indian child prepares to move to a new country, leaving beloved grandparents behind.
Surveying a pile of half-packed moving boxes filled with all the things the family will need, the child wonders, “What about the things my heart will miss?” In the next room, the protagonist’s Aaji is hard at work on her sewing machine, making a kurta for the child. But this isn’t just any kurta; it has pockets. Aaji explains that she’ll fill the pockets with objects that will remind the child of family and home: sweet-smelling flowers, bangles, and a clay lamp. Still upset, the protagonist asks what will happen if the flowers’ scent fades, the bangles break, and the oil lamp goes unlit. In response, Aaji and Ajoba sing a Hindu prayer that will remind the little one of the unbreakable bond between grandparents and grandchild. The main character reveals a secret worry: “What if you forget me some day? What if I forget you some day?” The protagonist assuages these fears by stitching two more kurtas—for Aaji and Ajoba. Accompanied by simply sketched, vibrantly illustrated images, this wonderfully rhythmic text perfectly encapsulates the trepidation that many immigrant children feel when they leave family and memories behind, though at times the small font of the text gets lost amid the art. A glossary with photos defines the Marathi words used in the story.
A tender tribute to the importance of preserving memories of one’s homeland. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 15, 2024
ISBN: 9781534113107
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: Jan. 20, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2024
Share your opinion of this book
More In The Series
by Kyla Mora & Jedidiah Mora ; illustrated by Mette Engell
by Meghana Narayan ; illustrated by Michelle Carlos
More by Lakshmi Thamizhmani
BOOK REVIEW
by Lakshmi Thamizhmani ; illustrated by Avani Dwivedi
BOOK REVIEW
by Zenia Wadhwani ; illustrated by Avani Dwivedi
BOOK REVIEW
by Avani Dwivedi ; illustrated by Avani Dwivedi
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.
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)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
Share your opinion of this book
More by Alice Schertle
BOOK REVIEW
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry
BOOK REVIEW
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph
BOOK REVIEW
by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by John Joseph
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.
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
Share your opinion of this book
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Hey there, book lover.
We’re glad you found a book that interests you!
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
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Trouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Don’t fret. We’ll find you.