An uplifting historical account for younger readers, and a necessary reminder of the importance of religious inclusion.
America’s first president was a beacon of hope to the Jewish community of Newport, Rhode Island.
Based on actual events and people, this story details George Washington’s visit to Newport on August 17, 1790, after Rhode Island’s ratification of the Constitution. He also came to raise support for the Bill of Rights, which would guarantee religious freedom. As the narrative begins, everyone is excited about Washington’s arrival, including 9-year-old Bella Seixas. Her father, Moses, head of Congregation Yeshuat Israel, has told her that Washington is a “guiding light to religious freedom,” because in America, Jews “can pray and celebrate our holidays without fear.” Bella, her younger sister, and several other kids create signs in Hebrew and English to express their gratitude, but the crowds greeting the great man’s ship are so large that they go unnoticed. Undaunted, they make candles—perfect for a “guiding light”—but children aren’t allowed in the inn where Washington is lodging. Bella’s final idea succeeds: The children rush to the port from which Washington’s ship will sail and, with their lit candles, sing to him. Washington notices them at last and smiles gratefully. This fascinating story offers encouraging evidence that young people can do important things. Though solemn, Fedele’s artwork is imbued with a sweetness that makes distant historical events feel immediate.
An uplifting historical account for younger readers, and a necessary reminder of the importance of religious inclusion. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9781954354302
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Creston
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2024
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
While this is a fairly bland treatment compared to Deborah Lee Rose and Carey Armstrong-Ellis’ The Twelve Days of...
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
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BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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