A colorful, zany, and loving celebration of grandmothers.
A house full of grandmothers work together to solve a mystery.
A yellow envelope arrives at Hollyhock House addressed to “the greatest grandmother in the world.” This sends its residents into a tizzy. While the house is full of grandmothers, none use that particular name. Abuela, Bibi, Nana, and the other grandmothers resort to trickery in order to claim the letter as their own. After the others catch Grammy trying to make off with the letter in the night, the grandmothers decide it is time to find the sender once and for all. They host a big birthday party for their families (in honor of “anyone who has a birthday this year”), and the house fills with music, food, and hugs. All the while, the yellow envelope sits on a table, waiting to be claimed. With their silly antics and fondness for cake, these grandmothers will make readers laugh and think of their own Bubbie or Nai Nai. Kheiriyeh’s delightfully vibrant block-print and collage illustrations capture the chaotic joy of a house full of grandmothers, all resplendent in memorable outfits, from neon pink or lime green get-ups to feathered scarves. Grandmothers and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are diverse in skin tone, body shape, and physical ability; some grandmothers use canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A colorful, zany, and loving celebration of grandmothers. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Aug. 8, 2023
ISBN: 9781419764288
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: May 9, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Menacing and most likely to appeal to established fans of its co-creators.
Existing artwork from an artistic giant inspires a fairy-tale reimagination by a master of the horror genre.
In King’s interpretation of a classic Brothers Grimm story, which accompanies set and costume designs that the late Sendak created for a 1997 production of Engelbert Humperdinck’s opera, siblings Hansel and Gretel survive abandonment in the woods and an evil witch’s plot to gobble them up before finding their “happily ever after” alongside their father. Prose with the reassuring cadence of an old-timey tale, paired with Sendak’s instantly recognizable artwork, will lull readers before capitalizing on these creators’ knack for injecting darkness into seemingly safe spaces. Gaping faces loom in crevices of rocks and trees, and a gloomy palette of muted greens and ocher amplify the story’s foreboding tone, while King never sugarcoats the peach-skinned children’s peril. Branches with “clutching fingers” hide “the awful enchanted house” of a “child-stealing witch,” all portrayed in an eclectic mix of spot and full-bleed images. Featuring insults that might strike some as harsh (“idiot,” “fool”), the lengthy, dense text may try young readers’ patience, and the often overwhelmingly ominous mood feels more pitched to adults—particularly those familiar with King and Sendak—but an introduction acknowledges grandparents as a likely audience, and nostalgia may prompt leniency over an occasional disconnect between words and art.
Menacing and most likely to appeal to established fans of its co-creators. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 2, 2025
ISBN: 9780062644695
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 15, 2025
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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