bookshelf

THE ARTIVIST

Name: THE ARTIVIST
Author: Nikkolas Smith
ISBN: 9780593619650

by Nikkolas Smith ; illustrated by Nikkolas Smith ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 2023

A powerful read-aloud to share and discuss.

bookshelf

In this autobiographical picture book by acclaimed “artivist” Smith, a young artist learns to use his talent for social commentary.

A Black child who loves to paint and help the community sees problems in the world that make him want to act. Aware of issues that need to be addressed—an unhoused person and someone being prevented from voting are pictured—he decides to combine his identities as an artist and as an activist, to “take ACTION with my ART,” and be an “ARTIVIST.” His art shows what is broken and what might heal it. When his painting on a city wall catches the attention of news outlets, its impact multiplies. In the second half of the story, the text describes what an artivist does while the visuals show various activist-related art, from murals to protest signs, that inspire empathy and spark change. The intimate, first-person narration draws readers right into the story, and the protagonist’s heartfelt concern for justice keeps readers engaged through the hopeful ending message. Smith’s vibrant art, full of expressive strokes and effective use of color, light, and dark, complements the text beautifully; while his words are broad and general, the images depict specific issues facing contemporary society. This expression of active love, solidarity, and compassion will resonate with and inspire readers of all ages. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A powerful read-aloud to share and discuss. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023

ISBN: 9780593619650

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Kokila

Review Posted Online: June 21, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THAT FLAG
by Tameka Fryer Brown ; illustrated by Nikkolas Smith

- BOOK REVIEW
I AM RUBY BRIDGES
by Ruby Bridges ; illustrated by Nikkolas Smith

- BOOK REVIEW
BORN ON THE WATER
by Nikole Hannah-Jones & Renée Watson ; illustrated by Nikkolas Smith

- PERSPECTIVES
Dispatch From the ALA Annual Meeting in Chicago

bookshelf

ON THE FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN

by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Laura Hughes ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 21, 2016

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of...

bookshelf

Rabe follows a young girl through her first 12 days of kindergarten in this book based on the familiar Christmas carol.

The typical firsts of school are here: riding the bus, making friends, sliding on the playground slide, counting, sorting shapes, laughing at lunch, painting, singing, reading, running, jumping rope, and going on a field trip. While the days are given ordinal numbers, the song skips the cardinal numbers in the verses, and the rhythm is sometimes off: “On the second day of kindergarten / I thought it was so cool / making lots of friends / and riding the bus to my school!” The narrator is a white brunette who wears either a tunic or a dress each day, making her pretty easy to differentiate from her classmates, a nice mix in terms of race; two students even sport glasses. The children in the ink, paint, and collage digital spreads show a variety of emotions, but most are happy to be at school, and the surroundings will be familiar to those who have made an orientation visit to their own schools.

While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of Kindergarten (2003), it basically gets the job done. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: June 21, 2016

ISBN: 978-0-06-234834-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 3, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2016

Categories:

CHILDREN'S CONCEPTS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
ON THE FIRST DAY OF FIRST GRADE
by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Sarah Jennings

- BOOK REVIEW
FIVE LITTLE BUNNIES
by Tish Rabe ; illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

bookshelf

IT'S NOT EASY BEING A GHOST

From the It's Not Easy Being series

by Marilyn Sadler ; illustrated by Stephanie Laberis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 13, 2024

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.

bookshelf

A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.

Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)