Competent coverage of a sadly underrepresented holiday.
On the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, Peg + Cat practice math and kindness.
Peg, a white girl with strawberry-blonde hair, and Cat, a purple feline, visit their friends Yasmina, a beige-skinned girl wearing a hijab, and Amir, a light-brown–skinned boy wearing a suit and tie with sandals. Eid al-Adha is a “very special holiday” that Peg and Cat “had never even heard of.” Following the signature Peg + Cat formula, they first “rock out” in song. Since Eid al-Adha is about “giving to those with less,” the less than/more than mathematical symbols are introduced. The four characters play musical instruments, and Yasmina piles a silver tray with foods. Following Islamic tradition, they separate the meat into thirds: one-third for the family, one-third for neighbors and friends, and one-third for charity. Amir places two meatballs on each plate, but Peg notices that the meatballs are different sizes. This is a “Big Problem,” which they solve with a pan balance. Finally, they head out to the party. When they stop at the soup kitchen to donate some meatballs, they use math again to help out there, and when Cat shares his coveted honey cakes, he discovers how good it feels to give. The illustrations (assembled from the TV episode the book is based on) are cartoony and colorful, with graphing paper and mathematical equations in the background. Fans of Peg + Cat will enjoy learning about the Islamic holiday, but readers unfamiliar with the show may not appreciate the book’s formulaic structure.
Competent coverage of a sadly underrepresented holiday. (Picture book. 3-8)Pub Date: June 26, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9932-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick Entertainment
Review Posted Online: April 15, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2018
It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how many mediocre sequels you can squeeze out of Seussian property.
Since a reformed Grinch is hardly any fun, this follow-up Grinches him up once more.
Those seeking more of the same, prepare to receive precisely that. Christmas is coming (again!), and the Grinch can hardly wait. He’s been patient all year, and now he can finally show the Whos down in Who-ville how much he’s changed. When the Grinch learns of a tree-decorating contest, he figures that if he wins, it’ll prove he truly has the Christmas spirit. He throws himself into the task, but when it comes time to judge the trees, the Grinch is horrified to discover that he’s received only the second-place trophy. Can Cindy-Lou Who find the words to save the day? Replicating many of the original beats and wordplay of the original, this tale feels like less a sequel and more like a vaguely rewritten variation. Meanwhile, Ruiz’s art seeks to bridge the gap between the animated Chuck Jones version of the Grinch and the one depicted in the original book. This thankless task results in a strange uncanny valley between Seuss and Jones but does allow the artist a chance to colorize everything and lend some racial diversity to the Who population (Cindy-Lou is light-skinned). (This book was reviewed digitally.)
It’s not whether you win or lose; it’s how many mediocre sequels you can squeeze out of Seussian property. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9780593563168
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 15, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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