An accessible story about coping with loss.
A little girl and her brother miss their dayik and their favorite meal she used to prepare.
Bushra and her brother, Sherzat, miss Mom and all the things she did for them. Since her death, they have not had their favorite meal, kubbat halab, which she used to prepare for them. Their dad isn’t much of a cook. Grandma and then Aunt Latifa both claim to “make the best kubbat halab,” but neither of their versions is quite like Mom’s. Bushra decides she can make it with Sherzat and Dad and shows them the steps. But when their kubbat halab still doesn’t taste like Mom’s, Bushra cries. Her brother and dad comfort her, and Dad reminds Bushra, “Your dayik will always be with us.” He adds, “And we’ll always remember her, especially when we cook together.” Kim’s gentle illustrations capture Bushra’s emotions—disappointment when she realizes her grandma’s and aunt’s kubbat halab are not like her mom’s, joy as she, Sherzat, and their dad prepare the kubbat halab. Sharif deftly portrays a child’s grief after losing a parent and shows a family healing together through a special meal that brings them memories of a loved one. Language and food references cue the family as Middle Eastern; in an author’s note, Sharif mentions her own Iraqi Kurdish background, discusses kubbat halab, and includes a recipe. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An accessible story about coping with loss. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-8075-6932-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
A satisfyingly cozy winter holiday tale.
The protagonist of The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt (2020) enjoys a “boo-tiful” holiday.
The titular spirit—comprised of a patterned quilt rather than a plain white sheet like his peers—loves drifting outside in the cold. His heavier fabrics may slow him down the rest of the year, but in winter they keep him warm enough to enjoy the outdoors while his friends remain inside. One December evening, while visiting the human neighborhood, he notices people singing and putting up twinkling lights (amid the Christmas decorations, one window features a menorah). The little ghost quilt is happy for himself but sad that his pals aren’t witnessing all this, too. The sight of a holiday tree inspires him: He’ll bring a tree to his friends! A branch that blows off during a snowstorm will do nicely. For ornaments, he uses odds and ends from the attic of his house. And when his friends arrive at his home that night, everyone decorates the tree together. The moon, peeping through the window and reflecting off a mirror from the attic, provides the glorious pièce de résistance: The make-believe tree glows brilliantly. This quietly lovely holiday tale underscores the true meaning of the holidays: friendship and togetherness. The illustrations rely on a muted palette with spots of vivid colors; like a quilt, they’re soft and delicate. Human characters vary in skin tone.
A satisfyingly cozy winter holiday tale. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 26, 2025
ISBN: 9781774885376
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
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