A lovely, contemplative tribute to intergenerational love that invites reverence for nature’s cycles.
In this Spanish import, translated by Brokenbrow, a girl learns about birds, flowers, and butterflies from her grandmother.
The girl narrates, describing her grandmother’s teachings about the creatures and blossoms they see on their walks. She learns about the colors of swallows and swifts and that hummingbirds build their nests with moss and spiderwebs. Her grandmother teaches her to identify the songs of blue herons and robins. Grandma’s hand-weaving skills are a central motif: As the pair (both White) gaze at finches, the girl exclaims: “Grandma, it looks like you wove them with your red thread!” In Celej’s elegant mixed-media illustrations, Grandma’s thread is a visual throughline connecting her, her granddaughter, and the natural world. Pale washes in earth colors define delicate city and woodland scenes, with brighter hues reserved for winged creatures. As pages turn, the girl’s deepening knowledge—and increasingly solitary walks—become apparent. “Very old by now,” Grandma has impaired hearing, sight, and movement. She tells her granddaughter that “the day it’s my turn to go, I’ll fly around you first.” Later, a swallow repeatedly circles the girl in the schoolyard, gently symbolizing Grandma’s death. The girl vows that when it’s her turn, she’ll “fly with a butterfly’s wings.” Teachers and caregivers looking for books to help discuss death with children will appreciate this subtle story about the treasured memories that help us endure loss. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A lovely, contemplative tribute to intergenerational love that invites reverence for nature’s cycles. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-84-18302-59-6
Page Count: 28
Publisher: Cuento de Luz
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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