by Natasha Tripplett ; illustrated by Monica Mikai ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 6, 2024
A love letter to hard work and shared legacy.
A little girl teaches her mechanic grandfather “the importance of taking care of old and forgotten things.”
In the garage, Ju-Girl works hard to help Granddad fix cars for their Jamaican community. The two take a break to sip Ting on the bed of Granddad’s pickup truck. As Granddad tells stories of his younger self, Ju-Girl learns how Blue Pickup connects her to the history of her community—Granddad drove Blue Pickup to deliver everything from newspapers to Jamaican calico cloth. But Ting time and daydreams must come to an end, because there’s work to be done and cars to be fixed. Still, Ju-Girl believes Blue Pickup can be restored to its former glory, perhaps with just an oil swap, new brakes, and a new battery—all of which she’s learned to recognize from dutifully assisting her granddad. Convinced, Granddad does all the fixes short of checking the oil, saving that for the excited little girl, who has the savvy of a veteran mechanic. As the two cruise around town, taking in the history and present of their vibrant neighborhood and picking up a socket set specifically for Ju-Girl, readers are left with the sense that all can be fixed with the right tools…and taking time out for Ting. Lively, richly saturated illustrations bring to life Ju-Girl’s beloved community, while the simple yet vivid text, filled with sensory descriptions, captures a child’s perspective perfectly.
A love letter to hard work and shared legacy. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9780063159877
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Nov. 4, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2023
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by Natasha Tripplett ; illustrated by Daniel J. O'Brien
by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019
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
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by Chasten Buttigieg ; illustrated by Dan Taylor ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 20, 2025
An affirming, though lackluster, look at a loving queer family.
For his debut picture book, teacher and activist Chasten Buttigieg draws inspiration from life with husband Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. transportation secretary.
The big day has finally arrived! Rosie and Jojo have been counting down the days until Papa comes home from his work trip. With a little help from Daddy, they make “welcome home” signs to greet Papa at the airport, pick flowers from the garden, and bake a “seven-layer chocolate cake with purple and yellow frosting.” Much to Daddy’s bemusement, the kids gather all of Papa’s favorite things, including his robe and slippers and their adorable pooch, Butter, as they walk out the door to pick up Papa from his travels. The author offers an affectionate portrait of the everyday domestic life of a same-sex family unit. While many kids and adults will be pleased to see their experiences reflected on the page, both the choppy writing and the flat digital artwork are fairly bland. Characters display similarly excited facial expressions throughout, while the portrayal of the children borders on overly cutesy at times, with intentionally misspelled signs throughout the house (“Papa’s Very Spechull Garden. Please do not tutch”). Like the author’s actual children, Rosie and Jojo are brown-skinned, while Daddy and Papa present white.
An affirming, though lackluster, look at a loving queer family. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 20, 2025
ISBN: 9780593693988
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2025
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