A tender look at the many emotions that separation can cause.
Navigating a divorce—and the changes it brings—can be difficult.
A child with tan skin and long brown braids describes the feelings involved in splitting time between two homes. Mommy still lives at the house where the narrator grew up, while Daddy has moved to the city. At one home, the surroundings are almost the same: old friends, familiar neighbors, and a favorite walking trail—but no Daddy. Another has new restaurants, a new bed, and new friends—but no Mommy. School brings more change—a new teacher, new bus routes—but also a return to a beloved art class and cafeteria. The youngster feels split in two. “I’m so mad. I’m tired of going back and forth—wondering…why? Why can’t things be like they were before?” Extra hugs and extra chats help, but nothing heals until the child finds a tiny heart drawn on a train window. The discovery of that heart leads to finding more, including a heart-shaped rock, ornament, and basketball’s bounce pattern. There are hearts all around, just like the family’s love; that is the one thing that divorce hasn’t changed. The tot collects the hearts and holds them close as a reminder. Eagle-eyed readers can flip back to the start and discover other hearts hidden throughout. Ng-Benitez’s delicate, illuminated art shines with warmth. Secondary characters have a variety of skin tones.
A tender look at the many emotions that separation can cause. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Dec. 10, 2024
ISBN: 9781454949749
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.
The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.
Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)Pub Date: March 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780063329560
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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
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