A delightful story of cultural connection and belonging.
Luana is excited to visit her grandparents in Brazil.
She and her parents arrive from the U.S. just in time to observe Festa Junina—a monthlong harvest celebration—with their extended family. When Grandpa introduces Luana as his “American granddaughter,” she suddenly feels uncertain about her Brazilian identity. And after she sees her cousins dressed in ornate outfits, she feels out of place and searches for ways to make her plain American dress more Brazilian. As she adds “pretty little details” to her dress, she listens as her grandparents share memories and finds meaning in the small things she notices, from the spices her grandmother cooks with to the scraps of fabric and paper she gathers as her aunts decorate. In the end, Luana creates a festooned dress that reflects both her American and Brazilian roots. She helps her family start a new Festa Junina tradition and realizes that though she is bicultural, she truly belongs. This heartfelt journey celebrates the beauty of embracing multiple cultures and the joy of finding one’s place within a loving family. Earthy, impressionistic illustrations rendered in colored pencil and soft pastel bring to life the festivities and Luana’s gregarious family members, who vary in skin tone. Luana’s aunt uses a wheelchair.
A delightful story of cultural connection and belonging. (author’s note, glossary, recipe for bolo de fubá [cornmeal cake]) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 27, 2025
ISBN: 9781665924795
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
An affirming, though lackluster, look at a loving queer family.
For his debut picture book, teacher and activist Chasten Buttigieg draws inspiration from life with husband Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. transportation secretary.
The big day has finally arrived! Rosie and Jojo have been counting down the days until Papa comes home from his work trip. With a little help from Daddy, they make “welcome home” signs to greet Papa at the airport, pick flowers from the garden, and bake a “seven-layer chocolate cake with purple and yellow frosting.” Much to Daddy’s bemusement, the kids gather all of Papa’s favorite things, including his robe and slippers and their adorable pooch, Butter, as they walk out the door to pick up Papa from his travels. The author offers an affectionate portrait of the everyday domestic life of a same-sex family unit. While many kids and adults will be pleased to see their experiences reflected on the page, both the choppy writing and the flat digital artwork are fairly bland. Characters display similarly excited facial expressions throughout, while the portrayal of the children borders on overly cutesy at times, with intentionally misspelled signs throughout the house (“Papa’s Very Spechull Garden. Please do not tutch”). Like the author’s actual children, Rosie and Jojo are brown-skinned, while Daddy and Papa present white.
An affirming, though lackluster, look at a loving queer family. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 20, 2025
ISBN: 9780593693988
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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