A straightforward, if perhaps overly simple, early chapter book about middle childhood.
A young girl examines her role as a middle child on a trip to the beach with her chaotic family in Prior’s novel for young readers.
Emma isn’t big, and she isn’t little: She’s right in the middle, with two brothers, one older and one younger. When she and her family go on vacation to the beach, Emma decides she’s no longer interested in squishing between her siblings in the car with none of the privileges of her older brother, nicknamed Big, and none of the coddling of her younger brother, known as Little. No, Emma is going to be big simply by acting as if she’s grown up, even if it means abandoning her best friend and fellow middle child, Wes the Best, while on vacation. She puts on lipstick and speaks like adults she’s seen on TV, but her mature act ends in disaster. Next, Emma tries a new tack and decides to pretend to be little instead; that doesn’t go according to plan either. Emma is at a loss as to what she should do next when assistance with her “dilEmma” comes from an unexpected corner. The solution is fairly simple and predictable, but it teaches a valuable lesson about embracing one’s personality and learning to appreciate what makes one unique, and it holds together well. That said, the story could have used some fleshing out, as its length is awkwardly short for the presumed 6- or 7-year-old audience, who may already be gravitating toward longer books, such as the Jasmine Toguchi series by Debbi Michiko Florence or the JD the Kid Barberbooks by J. Dillard. Kissi’s full-color cover and black-and-white cartoonlike illustrations depict Emma and her family as Black.
A straightforward, if perhaps overly simple, early chapter book about middle childhood.Pub Date: N/A
ISBN: 978-1-947159-60-0
Page Count: 66
Publisher: One Elm Books
Review Posted Online: May 1, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A lesson that never grows old, enacted with verve by two favorite friends
Gerald the elephant learns a truth familiar to every preschooler—heck, every human: “Waiting is not easy!”
When Piggie cartwheels up to Gerald announcing that she has a surprise for him, Gerald is less than pleased to learn that the “surprise is a surprise.” Gerald pumps Piggie for information (it’s big, it’s pretty, and they can share it), but Piggie holds fast on this basic principle: Gerald will have to wait. Gerald lets out an almighty “GROAN!” Variations on this basic exchange occur throughout the day; Gerald pleads, Piggie insists they must wait; Gerald groans. As the day turns to twilight (signaled by the backgrounds that darken from mauve to gray to charcoal), Gerald gets grumpy. “WE HAVE WASTED THE WHOLE DAY!…And for WHAT!?” Piggie then gestures up to the Milky Way, which an awed Gerald acknowledges “was worth the wait.” Willems relies even more than usual on the slightest of changes in posture, layout and typography, as two waiting figures can’t help but be pretty static. At one point, Piggie assumes the lotus position, infuriating Gerald. Most amusingly, Gerald’s elephantine groans assume weighty physicality in spread-filling speech bubbles that knock Piggie to the ground. And the spectacular, photo-collaged images of the Milky Way that dwarf the two friends makes it clear that it was indeed worth the wait.
A lesson that never grows old, enacted with verve by two favorite friends . (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: Nov. 4, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4231-9957-1
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Hyperion
Review Posted Online: Nov. 4, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2014
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further.
A young Latine boy finally gets to rescue the dog of his dreams, but training can be a challenge in two languages.
Like many children, José has been dreaming of having a pet of his own, specifically un perro, a dog. Like any good owner, José promptly begins training his new canine companion but soon realizes his rescue mutt, Feliz, knows only words in English. This is a problem because in José’s home everyone speaks both Spanish and English. José and Feliz must rise to the challenge; fortunately, treats and snuggles are great motivators. The narrative uses Spanish words and phrases throughout (“perros blancos,” “¡Yo quiero este!” “¡Sientate!”), usually with English context clues for understanding. This is complex vocabulary for an early reader, and the shifting in phonics from English to Spanish will be challenging for true beginners; the book is best suited for intermediate to advanced readers in dual-language classrooms or homes. Much like Feliz, however, it is sure to find a loving (and bilingual) home. Cheerful illustrations complement the text, helping readers make sense of the narrative. While José and his mother are darker-skinned, his father and sister are lighter-skinned. (This review has been updated for accuracy.)
Cuándo quieras un perro feliz, look no further. (glossary of Spanish-English words) (Early reader. 6-8)Pub Date: April 25, 2023
ISBN: 978-0-593-52116-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
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