A sensitively told conversation starter for children about abuse, power dynamics, and compassion.
A boy befriends his bully and, with the help of his mother, keeps the bully fed daily at school.
Based on a true story, this is dedicated to educator Jim Perez and to “the lady who kept making all those lunches for him, day after day.” In the first spread, readers stand right behind Jimmy, who daily targets the same kid, a boy eating lunch alone. Instead of standing in the line for free and reduced lunches, Jimmy steals the boy’s bagged meals. Jimmy’s first-person narration reveals abuse at home at the hands of his older brothers. When the bullied boy invites his classmates, including Jimmy, to a birthday party, Jimmy learns his target has his own losses. He also has an unexpected encounter with the boy’s mother, who promises she’ll have her son take “a second lunch…for you, every day.” Illustrations with smudgy, relaxed lines—faces are often indistinct and in shadow—and vivid, emotionally charged colors (Jimmy in dark purples and greens and the other boy and his mother in warm oranges and pinks) animate this tale. Jimmy’s inner thoughts occasionally surround his head in hand-lettering (“don’t yell” when the boy’s mother approaches him), and the use of numbers to count the bagged lunches stolen—and, later, given—are effective. The abrupt ending hints at a lifelong friendship between the boys. The races of the protagonists are unclear due to Otoshi's emotive palette, which paints all characters in blues, reds, greens, and so forth, but they have straight hair. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A sensitively told conversation starter for children about abuse, power dynamics, and compassion. (Picture book. 4-10)Pub Date: Sept. 7, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-73434-820-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: KO Kids Books
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
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
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
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)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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