Next book

DANCE WITH OTI

THE BIRD JIVE

A charming story that will encourage little readers to MOVE!

Dancer and choreographer Mabuse, best known for performing on the British reality TV series Strictly Come Dancing, teaches kids how to do the jive.

The story opens with a racially diverse group of children lined up outside Mrs. Oti’s dance studio, waiting for their first lesson. Mrs. Oti, a Black woman, presumably a stand-in for Mabuse, greets them happily. First, it’s time to warm up. Hardy’s bright, expressive illustrations depict the children as they do stretches, jumping jacks, and more. Then it’s time to learn the jive. Mrs. Oti invites her students—and readers—to lift their hands up, then put them down, then to jump to the left and then to the right. The marvelous dancers make plenty of mistakes that add just the right amount of adorable hilarity—and will reassure uncertain little dancers that it’s OK to mess up. One child forgets her steps as she stares at her shoes. Another dance pupil cannot remember which direction he’s going. With kindness and wit, Mrs. Oti always reins the class back in and keeps everyone in step. A green parrot flies into the room, inspiring Mrs. Oti to tell the kids to grab some feathers from the dress-up box, flap their arms, and do the bird jive! Filled with arrows and text instructions, this book will make for a very active storytime. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A charming story that will encourage little readers to MOVE! (more information on Mabuse and the jive, QR code linking to a step-by-step tutorial of the jive) (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: June 6, 2023

ISBN: 978-1-5362-2500-6

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Candlewick Entertainment

Review Posted Online: March 28, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2023

Next book

WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

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

Next book

LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED

From the Little Blue Truck series

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

Close Quickview