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THIS IS A STORY

Name: THIS IS A STORY
Author: John Schu
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0452-0

by John Schu ; illustrated by Lauren Castillo ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 14, 2023

A slightly lofty but sweet tribute to a book’s ability to create deep, lasting connections with readers.

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To find just the right book—that is the question and the answer.

“This is a word. This is a word on a page. This is a page in a book.” A light-skinned family—two children and their caregiver—visits the library and finds a whole world of words, pages, shelves, and books waiting for readers to discover them and unlock their secrets. The older child, lying on their tummy, reads their book, enraptured. Other enthralled kids are there, too—“with minds full of questions…with ideas to explore…with hopes for the future…with imaginations ready to spark,” all caught up in the words in their own selected books, some of which readers may recognize. This brief, very simply told tale clearly makes the point that readers often forge meaningful connections with books. It also expresses the idea that a story “helps us understand…everything!” While this is a lovely notion, it’s a vague, idealistic (and not necessarily true) one that young children may not fully grasp—though they’ll relate to the idea of losing themselves in beloved books. The soft illustrations, created with ink, watercolor, and pastel, suit the gentle narrative. They depict racial diversity; one child is shown wearing a yarmulke. The children’s librarian is light-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A slightly lofty but sweet tribute to a book’s ability to create deep, lasting connections with readers. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 14, 2023

ISBN: 978-1-5362-0452-0

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: Dec. 13, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
RUTHIE ROSE'S BIG IDEA
by John Schu ; illustrated by Holly Hatam

- BOOK REVIEW
LOUDER THAN HUNGER
by John Schu

- BOOK REVIEW
THIS IS A SCHOOL
by John Schu ; illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED

From the Little Blue Truck series

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2025

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.

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In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.

Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)