A sensitive and age-appropriate tale to spark conversations about skin color.
Sienna usually loves art class—but today is different.
The spring art show is only a day away, and Sienna, a young Black girl, is excited. When tan-skinned Ms. Graham puts a handful of crayons on the table, within seconds, all the colors are grabbed up except for dark brown and light brown. Sienna is upset, especially when the other students tease her for her slowness. A classmate mocks, “Have fun drawing mud and dog poop.” Ms. Graham encourages Sienna to think of all the great things that can be drawn with brown crayons. However, when Sienna tries to imagine roses and rainbows in hues of brown, she is discouraged. After a classmate references chocolate, Sienna perks up and draws a cone with three scoops of chocolate ice cream. A student mentions a grizzly bear, which inspires another drawing for Sienna. Finally, Sienna thinks of her mother’s golden skin and her father’s dark brown skin and draws her own family—a perfect piece for the art show. Freeman-Haskin’s narrative is matter-of-fact but uplifting, affirming the beauty of brown skin and opening the door to discussions about race and skin tone. Robinson’s vibrant cut-paper illustrations are layered with texture and movement, giving the book a collagelike feel and depicting a diverse class. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A sensitive and age-appropriate tale to spark conversations about skin color. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9781773066233
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Groundwood
Review Posted Online: Jan. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2023
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together.
A clueless duckling tries to make a new friend.
He is confused by this peculiar-looking duck, who has a long tail, doesn’t waddle and likes to be alone. No matter how explicitly the creature denies he is a duck and announces that he is a cat, the duckling refuses to acknowledge the facts. When this creature expresses complete lack of interest in playing puddle stomp, the little ducking goes off and plays on his own. But the cat is not without remorse for rejecting an offered friendship. Of course it all ends happily, with the two new friends enjoying each other’s company. Bramsen employs brief sentences and the simplest of rhymes to tell this slight tale. The two heroes are meticulously drawn with endearing, expressive faces and body language, and their feathers and fur appear textured and touchable. Even the detailed tree bark and grass seem three-dimensional. There are single- and double-page spreads, panels surrounded by white space and circular and oval frames, all in a variety of eye-pleasing juxtapositions. While the initial appeal is solidly visual, young readers will get the gentle message that friendship is not something to take for granted but is to be embraced with open arms—or paws and webbed feet.
A sweet, tender and charming experience to read aloud or together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-375-86990-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 13, 2012
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2012
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