A tender snapshot of a loving daddy-daughter bond.
Some things are worth the wait.
Oh no! Kate is late for preschool! But why? No, it’s not because she requested chocolate milk at breakfast. It’s not because she and Daddy—both Black—stopped to greet neighbors or because she waved to the garbage trucks, the ambulance, and the cars. Using simple, repetitive prose, Harrington chronicles a variety of activities—buckling a child into a stroller, waiting for the bus—that will be familiar to parents and little ones making the daily trip to school. Periodically stating, “Kate was late for preschool,” the author discusses all the things the two did, all of which have nothing to do with Kate being late, before finally explaining her tardiness—Daddy pauses right before she goes in to give her a warm hug. This tale of a doting father taking his child to school is brightly illustrated in primary colors that pop off the page. Daddy’s affection for Kate comes through clearly, from a scene of him brushing her hair to a moment where he stoops to adjust her backpack and tie her shoe. Small book lovers are sure to respond to the joyful imagery as well as the lyrical bounce of the language. Daddy and Kate’s community is a diverse one. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A tender snapshot of a loving daddy-daughter bond. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 25, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-8234-4510-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Margaret Ferguson/Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Jan. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2023
A successful swap from coconut tree to Christmas tree.
A Christmas edition of the beloved alphabet book.
The story starts off nearly identically to Chicka Chicka Boom Boom (1989), written by John Archambault and the late Bill Martin Jr, with the letters A, B, and C deciding to meet in the branches of a tree. This time, they’re attempting to scale a Christmas tree, not a coconut tree, and the letters are strung together like garland. A, B, and C are joined by the other letters, and of course they all “slip, slop, topple, plop!” right down the tree. At the bottom, they discover an assortment of gifts, all in a variety of shapes. As a team, the letters and presents organize themselves to get back up on the Christmas tree and get a star to the top. Holiday iterations of favorite tales often fall flat, but this take succeeds. The gifts are an easy way to reinforce another preschool concept—shapes—and the text uses just enough of the original to be familiar. The rhyming works, sticking to the cadence of the source material. The illustrations pay homage to the late Lois Ehlert’s, featuring the same bold block letters, though they lack some of the whimsy and personality of the original. Otherwise, everything is similarly brightly colored and simply drawn. Those familiar with the classic will be drawn to this one, but newcomers can enjoy it on its own.
A successful swap from coconut tree to Christmas tree. (Picture book. 3-5)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9781665954761
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Beach Lane/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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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