An upbeat story of a divorced family in community at Christmas.
A young girl has a busy holiday.
Christmas is “sometimes at Mom’s, sometimes at Dad’s,” and Luna has a pretty positive attitude about having two of everything, from Advent calendars to Christmas dinners. This year, however, they’re doing something a little different. Luna’s mom shares the upcoming Christmas schedule with Luna—a good way to help caregivers make busy holidays calmer for youngsters. Making deliveries for the food bank takes Luna and her mom all around town. Luna is already friends with one of the kids receiving food, and the two have a snowball fight. Ms. Pothers, a white-presenting food box recipient, thanks them by reading “A Christmas Story,” which disrupts the narrative flow and makes the tale a bit too long. Then it’s time to visit Dad. The two bake cookies—a nice upending of traditional gender roles—before Luna puts out her stocking and heads to bed. The next day, they head to the town hall to enjoy Christmas dinner with their diverse community. While Luna’s parents don’t interact, this is nevertheless a warm, welcoming, and much-needed depiction of divorced parents making the holiday special for their child, brought to life by cozy artwork. Luna is biracial; her mother presents as white and her father as Black. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An upbeat story of a divorced family in community at Christmas. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 30, 2023
ISBN: 9781684646418
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Kane Miller
Review Posted Online: Aug. 12, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
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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