Compassionate and cozy, if a bit unfocused.
A glimpse into the life of a child whose parent grapples with a chronic illness.
For the past five years, 8-year-old Sophie has lived with “My Michael,” a loving single guardian. Recently, My Michael has been feeling ill, but people outside their family don’t understand, pointing out that “he doesn’t look sick.” Sophie tries to help out—bringing My Michael ginger ale and saltines and sharing some of the stars that adorn the child’s bedroom—and My Michael’s mother, Julia, arrives to clean and make dinner. Drawing on her own experiences with long Covid, Smith offers a warm, loving vision of a nontraditional family with an authentic, empathetic voice. The narrative is light on plot, mostly consisting of one- or two-page anecdotes about Sophie and My Michael’s life, with quite a few seemingly extraneous details and dropped threads, such as My Michael’s pregnant best friend Kim and My Michael’s talent for singing. The lack of a clear narrative thread may leave some readers feeling unsatisfied, but others will appreciate the slice-of-life feel. The tale is at its best when exploring seemingly inconsequential yet poignant moments in the characters’ lives, like when Sophie, with great forethought, turns the “88” on their apartment door into two snowmen. Adult readers may wish for some acknowledgment of the toll that caretaking can have on a child—even if Julia does step in. The illustrations are pleasant and gentle. Michael, Sophie, Kim, and Julia are pale-skinned, while incidental characters are diverse.
Compassionate and cozy, if a bit unfocused. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 16, 2025
ISBN: 9781459840157
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Orca
Review Posted Online: Aug. 29, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Menacing and most likely to appeal to established fans of its co-creators.
Existing artwork from an artistic giant inspires a fairy-tale reimagination by a master of the horror genre.
In King’s interpretation of a classic Brothers Grimm story, which accompanies set and costume designs that the late Sendak created for a 1997 production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera, siblings Hansel and Gretel survive abandonment in the woods and an evil witch’s plot to gobble them up before finding their “happily ever after” alongside their father. Prose with the reassuring cadence of an old-timey tale, paired with Sendak’s instantly recognizable artwork, will lull readers before capitalizing on these creators’ knack for injecting darkness into seemingly safe spaces. Gaping faces loom in crevices of rocks and trees, and a gloomy palette of muted greens and ocher amplify the story’s foreboding tone, while King never sugarcoats the peach-skinned children’s peril. Branches with “clutching fingers” hide “the awful enchanted house” of a “child-stealing witch,” all portrayed in an eclectic mix of spot and full-bleed images. Featuring insults that might strike some as harsh (“idiot,” “fool”), the lengthy, dense text may try young readers’ patience, and the often overwhelmingly ominous mood feels more pitched to adults—particularly those familiar with King and Sendak—but an introduction acknowledges grandparents as a likely audience, and nostalgia may prompt leniency over an occasional disconnect between words and art.
Menacing and most likely to appeal to established fans of its co-creators. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9780062644695
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 15, 2025
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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