A tender look at family, near and far.
A Cuban American boy helps prepare aid for his faraway family.
Each month, Mami and Tía Ana gather much-needed items and send them to relatives living in Cuba. William’s usually on the sidelines during the packing extravaganza, but one day, Mami gives him an important job: to check whether anyone in the family has extra zapatos (shoes) for his cousin Leo. Armed with the outline of Leo’s footprint on a piece of paper, William starts his mission, learning more about Leo with each stop. First, he heads over to Tía Rosa and Tía Olga’s downstairs apartment, but Tía Olga’s shoes are too big for Leo, and Tía Rosa’s high heels aren’t suitable, either. William goes to his abuelos’ apartment next. Alas, Abuela has only extra pantuflas (slippers), and Abuelo wears special shoes due to his bout with polio at a young age, so no luck there. Where will William find shoes for Cousin Leo, who loves baseball, has freckles, and enjoys drawing, just like William? In her picture-book debut, Deedy draws upon childhood memories to weave a touching testament to family bonds grounded in immigrant experiences. Though more perceptive readers may wonder why it takes William so long to finally hit upon a somewhat obvious solution, his eventual decision closes this tale on a lovely note. Gal’s effervescent illustrations boast solid pencil and ink linework and gorgeous blends of watercolors, to rich results.
A tender look at family, near and far. (glossary, author’s note, artist’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 4, 2025
ISBN: 9781338770216
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 14, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2025
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
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
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