THE LITTLE RED STROLLER

Name: THE LITTLE RED STROLLER
Author: Joshua Furst
ISBN: 978-0-735-22880-1

by Joshua Furst ; illustrated by Katy Wu ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 16, 2019

Pair an array of characters that vary in gender, color, age, religion, size, and shape with a variety of settings, and you...

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An inclusive picture book that celebrates sharing, connecting, variety, and community.

A stroller can provide convenience, transportation, and comfort for little ones and caregivers alike. The titular red stroller carries a young girl named Luna to school and the playground, as well as on weekend errands that include yummy pizza. When Luna outgrows the stroller, her mother passes it on to her neighbors. The stroller is next shared with a little girl and her father who visit her grandfather. Among the stroller’s owners are caregivers who are interracial, same-sex, Muslim, South Asian, single, and more, along with children who are multiracial and (probably) adopted, each depicted uniquely, with a wide variety of skin colors, body shapes, hairstyles, etc. The stroller-sharing device becomes a bit tedious (it changes hands nine times before it falls apart, to be replaced with a newer yellow stroller). Nevertheless, in today’s divisive society, this book’s message—however heavy-handed it might be—bears emphasizing. Wu’s bright, digital art offers a multitude of tiny details to discover, and sharp-eyed readers will find a series of colorful dots to help them follow the stroller’s travels. Vivid colors evoke the happiness the characters feel as they look out for one another.

Pair an array of characters that vary in gender, color, age, religion, size, and shape with a variety of settings, and you have a powerful message of inclusivity and diversity. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: April 16, 2019

ISBN: 978-0-735-22880-1

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Dial Books

Review Posted Online: Jan. 27, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY

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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)