Not a worthwhile or necessary addition to Passover stories; it may find a home on the shelves of some Christian families,...
A retelling of the story of Moses, cast adrift and saved by Pharaoh’s daughter.
A mournful mother prepares a watertight basket for her baby son, and she and his older sister kiss him goodbye. They carry him through a crowded marketplace to the river, singing as they walk along, “God will hide us in the shelter of a rock.” They then set him afloat. The sister, who narrates, imagines many dangers in and about the Nile: soldiers, currents, crocodiles. Then, dressed in ornate finery, Pharaoh’s daughter and her attendants appear. The sister would like to snatch the baby from the water, but it is Pharaoh’s daughter who holds him and comforts him. The sister shows herself and tells them that she can bring them a woman to nurse the baby; it is his mother. Miriam, the sister, tells the story in her own words, although she is never named in the text. The narration circles around verses of the author’s original song, “The Shelter of God’s Wings,” and reads like stanzas to its refrain of God’s power. The mundane illustrations feature brown-skinned people and a plethora of green reeds. In the author’s note, there is a brief summary of the history of the Hebrew people in Egypt from Joseph to Moses and the entry into the promised land. The festive holiday of Passover, which celebrates this event, is not mentioned, however.
Not a worthwhile or necessary addition to Passover stories; it may find a home on the shelves of some Christian families, however. (song notation, lyrics) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 27, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-947888-30-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Flyaway Books
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.
When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.
As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9780593111451
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
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