An exuberant and wondrous testimony to the power of one little brown boy’s imagination.
Some things need to be contagious.
Amadou, a young boy of African descent, can’t wait to accompany his teacher, Madame Minier, and his classmates to the zoo—a very old zoo “built for a king.” But even before the field trip, it’s clear that Amadou’s idea of what to do at the zoo and Madame Minier’s sit worlds apart. Dreaming distracts him from what’s actually happening in class, and waiting patiently in line for the train feels like an imposition to Amadou, who can hardly contain his excitement when he sees the zoo’s birds. Soon, Amadou’s imagination prompts him to call and dance with the flamingos. His teacher seems determined to get the children to lean animal facts from reading the signs, but Amadou is even more determined to observe and experience the animals. At this book’s opening, Walsh illustrates only Amadou in color, and everything and everyone else in sepia and white. As Amadou’s animal fantasies take over, the color spreads, first to two other students and eventually to all of the characters and all of the page. The children spend the day riding the elephants, crawling with the tortoise, wading with the hippo, and more, and at last, a swarm of colorful butterflies convinces Madame Minier that Amadou has had the right idea all along. Madame Minier presents white; Amadou’s classmates are diverse.
An exuberant and wondrous testimony to the power of one little brown boy’s imagination. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 8, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-62414-884-2
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Page Street
Review Posted Online: May 2, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
This frenetic ode to fatherhood is predictable fare but may please series fans.
It’s time to look for the elusive Daddysaurus.
In this latest installment in the seemingly never-ending series about a group of diverse kids attempting to trap mythical creatures, the youngsters are now on the lookout for a big mauve dinosaur with an emblazoned D on his stomach and a superhero cape. The fast-moving Daddysaurus is always on the go; he will be difficult to catch. Armed with blueprints of possible ideas, the kids decide which traps to set. As in previous works, ones of the sticky variety seem popular. They cover barbells with fly paper (Daddysaurus like to exercise) and spread glue on the handle of a shovel (Daddysaurus also likes to garden). One clever trick involves tempting Daddysaurus with a drawing of a hole, taped to the wall, because he fixes everything that breaks. Daddysaurus is certainly engaged in the children’s lives, not a workaholic or absent, but he does fall into some standard tropes associated with fathers. The rhyming quatrains stumble at times but for the most part bounce along. Overall, though, text and art feel somewhat formulaic and likely will tempt only devotees of the series. The final page of the book (after Daddysaurus is caught with love) has a space for readers to write a note or draw a picture of their own Daddysaurus. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
This frenetic ode to fatherhood is predictable fare but may please series fans. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 1, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-72826-618-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
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
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