Bursts of color and gentle messages combine for a message of hope and healing.
The author of the bestselling The Invisible String (2000) offers young readers tools for coping with unhappiness.
Jackson is usually an upbeat kid—unless his classmates are mean to him or he sees something upsetting on the news. But when his best friend moves and his pet hamster dies, Jackson’s mood flags. In the realistic digital illustrations, Jackson is surrounded by puffs of color; as he becomes sadder, the vibrant hues disappear, replaced by a dismal gray. Jackson’s parents take him to the school counselor, who suggests Jackson attempt to find one color each day “and think about how it makes you feel.” The next day, Jackson visits the seashore, beautifully illustrated in eye-catching blues, and the “twirling, whirling dance of sea and spray” fills him with calm and confidence. Equally luscious images of an orange sunset, a hike through a verdant forest, and a patch of brilliant sunflowers, paired with Karst’s quietly bolstering text, show Jackson’s joy returning—even more brightly than before. He even ignores the mean kids at school. The last color Jackson reclaims is purple, symbolizing his gratitude and the knowledge that joy may fade but will always return if he watches for it. Backmatter includes an author’s note and an afterword from a family therapist with helpful explanations and additional suggestions. Jackson and his family are tan-skinned; his counselor presents Black.
Bursts of color and gentle messages combine for a message of hope and healing. (resources) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 6, 2025
ISBN: 9780316572040
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2025
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
A satisfyingly cozy winter holiday tale.
The protagonist of The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt (2020) enjoys a “boo-tiful” holiday.
The titular spirit—comprised of a patterned quilt rather than a plain white sheet like his peers—loves drifting outside in the cold. His heavier fabrics may slow him down the rest of the year, but in winter they keep him warm enough to enjoy the outdoors while his friends remain inside. One December evening, while visiting the human neighborhood, he notices people singing and putting up twinkling lights (amid the Christmas decorations, one window features a menorah). The little ghost quilt is happy for himself but sad that his pals aren’t witnessing all this, too. The sight of a holiday tree inspires him: He’ll bring a tree to his friends! A branch that blows off during a snowstorm will do nicely. For ornaments, he uses odds and ends from the attic of his house. And when his friends arrive at his home that night, everyone decorates the tree together. The moon, peeping through the window and reflecting off a mirror from the attic, provides the glorious pièce de résistance: The make-believe tree glows brilliantly. This quietly lovely holiday tale underscores the true meaning of the holidays: friendship and togetherness. The illustrations rely on a muted palette with spots of vivid colors; like a quilt, they’re soft and delicate. Human characters vary in skin tone.
A satisfyingly cozy winter holiday tale. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 26, 2025
ISBN: 9781774885376
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
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