Warm holiday fun with a charming international flavor.
An unusual card travels around the world.
Tessa, who lives in America, draws fairies on a Christmas card and mails it to her Ouma (grandmother) in South Africa. The unstamped message includes no recipient information besides “Ouma, Cape Town, South Africa.” But thanks to the kindness of postal workers, the technically unmailable card wends its global way—until, improbably, it arrives in Cape Town. A man named Peter discovers it accidentally tucked inside his own mail and, charmed by the artwork, decides to paste it on a local baker’s window, in case the woman passes by. But a gust of wind blows it away…straight into Tessa’s Ouma’s hand. Thus, the wayward card is miraculously delivered, ostensibly through fairy and Christmas magic. This sweet, upbeat holiday tale, sprinkled with English, Afrikaans, and isiZulu words commonly used in South Africa (defined in a glossary), hits the right seasonal note with its hopeful message. The story’s premise might seem fantastical, but in an author’s note, McDivitt mentions she and her sister Tessa, then Minnesota youngsters, successfully sent just such an unorthodox holiday mailing to their grandmother in South Africa. Colorful illustrations exude lively energy, well suited for a story about mail flying globally; the mileage the card travels (including figures) is indicated by red dotted lines throughout. Various international landmarks and scenes are depicted. Tessa, Ouma, and Peter present White; background characters are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Warm holiday fun with a charming international flavor. (information about South Africa, fun facts about South African Christmas celebrations) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 11, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-64170-734-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Familius
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
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
This frenetic ode to fatherhood is predictable fare but may please series fans.
It’s time to look for the elusive Daddysaurus.
In this latest installment in the seemingly never-ending series about a group of diverse kids attempting to trap mythical creatures, the youngsters are now on the lookout for a big mauve dinosaur with an emblazoned D on his stomach and a superhero cape. The fast-moving Daddysaurus is always on the go; he will be difficult to catch. Armed with blueprints of possible ideas, the kids decide which traps to set. As in previous works, ones of the sticky variety seem popular. They cover barbells with fly paper (Daddysaurus like to exercise) and spread glue on the handle of a shovel (Daddysaurus also likes to garden). One clever trick involves tempting Daddysaurus with a drawing of a hole, taped to the wall, because he fixes everything that breaks. Daddysaurus is certainly engaged in the children’s lives, not a workaholic or absent, but he does fall into some standard tropes associated with fathers. The rhyming quatrains stumble at times but for the most part bounce along. Overall, though, text and art feel somewhat formulaic and likely will tempt only devotees of the series. The final page of the book (after Daddysaurus is caught with love) has a space for readers to write a note or draw a picture of their own Daddysaurus. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
This frenetic ode to fatherhood is predictable fare but may please series fans. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 1, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-72826-618-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
