A soft touch of peace for a life well lived.
A full life is depicted.
Fox’s gentle prose begins with a tiny star falling from the sky. The narrator is careful to reassure readers that “this happens all the time.” In a twist expressed so straightforwardly it feels possible, the text relates that it “turned into a baby!” The interracial couple that finds the baby wraps it in a star-covered quilt. That blue, cozy blanket stays with the child, a steadfast marker for readers to follow as the child grows and changes (but is never gendered). “It grew older and older, / and older still. / And even older than that. / The longer it lived, the more it was loved.” That once-tiny star is now depicted as a brown-skinned human with straight, black hair, surrounded by family and friends. Then, as once it grew larger, it now begins to shrink, stooped over, using a walker. Depicted as a frail, smiling elderly human, it settles in to the very same chair into which the star first fell. Suddenly, all that is left is the quilt. The loved ones, all mourning, seek comfort in looking at the sky and seeing the star once again. “Every heart was lightened. / Every heart began to mend.” Grief can feel impossible, but Fox’s words whisper straight to one’s heart while Blackwood’s characteristically warm, smudgy illustrations exude warmth. A true sense of community is found within; neighbors gather, animals flock together. Blackwood and Fox embrace growth and love. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A soft touch of peace for a life well lived. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Nov. 16, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-30401-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2021
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
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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