Tight cropping of unidentified old masters and a vague storyline do not add up to a child-friendly exposition of the...
Another retelling of a Christian story by Elschner (The Nativity, 2015, etc.), illustrated with full-bleed reproductions from Renaissance paintings.
Although the paintings are exquisite, a child encountering this story might be forgiven for being confused. The text that accompanies each painting makes it clear that the story has a mythic dimension, as is clear from the highly varied depictions of the Magi by different painters. Questions asked on the first spread: “Did they wear conical hats or turbans? / Was the youngest white or black?” are belied by the illustration chosen for this spread, which shows three men, two wearing turbans and one of whom is black. Two page turns later, three nearly identical white men with auburn curls are shown, not one of them in a hat. Other illustrations show (mysteriously) two kings in a boat, hands holding gold vessels, the face of Mary. A final spread describes the shrine where the relics are preserved and the festival of Epiphany. There is no mention of Christianity, Christ, or Jesus, though both Herod and Christmas are referenced. Absent pre-existent understanding of the story, this will be a hard book for a child to appreciate independently or even for a teacher or parent to explain, given the lack of information provided. Many of the uncaptioned paintings themselves are cropped to focus on specific details, further de-contextualizing the images.
Tight cropping of unidentified old masters and a vague storyline do not add up to a child-friendly exposition of the Christian story. (Picture book/religion. 6-10)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-988-8341-26-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: minedition
Review Posted Online: Aug. 23, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2016
A charming contemporary story with a classic feel.
A 10 ¾-year-old girl weathers changes in her social circle—and her sense of self.
Dubbed “Queen of the Neighborhood” by beloved neighbor Mr. Chapman, who has sadly left Maryland for balmy Florida, Zara is apprehensive when a family with two kids moves into his house, potentially upsetting the delicate social balance. Readers familiar with Khan’s Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream books, set a few years after this series opener, will recognize the bustling Pakistani American Muslim household. Assertive, organized Zara and rambunctious 7-year-old Zayd live with their Mama and Baba; the siblings’ grandparents and uncle are integral parts of their daily lives. Zara and Zayd enjoy playing outside with their friends—Black sisters Jade and Gloria, White Alan, and Chinese American Melvin. Mr. Chapman always said that Zara knew how to “rule with grace and fairness,” but new arrivals Naomi and Michael, Jewish kids who are eager to engage socially, put this to the test. When Jamal Mamoo, Mama’s brother, brings over his Guinness World Records book, Zara decides that becoming a world-record holder is the boost her social status needs. Her humorous (and futile) attempts to make her mark ultimately lead her to being a more patient and understanding big sister and more flexible and supportive companion to friends old and new. Strong pacing, fluid prose, engaging hijinks, and heartwarming scenes of family life and outdoor play are complemented by expressive illustrations.
A charming contemporary story with a classic feel. (Fiction. 7-10)Pub Date: April 19, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-5344-9759-7
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 12, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2022
PERSPECTIVES
PERSPECTIVES
A Christmas cozy, read straight or bit by bit through the season.
Neither snow nor rain nor mountains of yummy cheese stay the carrier of a letter to Santa.
So carelessly does 8-year-old Oliver stuff his very late letter to Santa into the mailbox that it falls out behind his back—leaving Winston, a “small, grubby white mouse” with an outsized heart, determined to deliver it personally though he has no idea where to go. Smith presents Winston’s Christmas Eve trek in 24 minichapters, each assigned a December “day” and all closing with both twists or cliffhangers and instructions (mostly verbal, unfortunately) for one or more holiday-themed recipes or craft projects. Though he veers occasionally into preciosity (Winston “tried to ignore the grumbling, rumbling noises coming from his tummy”), he also infuses his holiday tale with worthy values. Occasional snowy scenes have an Edwardian look appropriate to the general tone, with a white default in place but a few dark-skinned figures in view. Less-crafty children will struggle with the scantly illustrated projects, which run from paper snowflakes to clothespin dolls and Christmas crackers with or without “snaps,” but lyrics to chestnuts like “The 12 Days of Christmas” (and “Jingle Bells,” which is not a Christmas song, but never mind) at the end invite everyone to sing along.
A Christmas cozy, read straight or bit by bit through the season. (Fantasy. 7-10)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-68412-983-6
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Silver Dolphin
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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