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MOMMY SAYANG

From the Pixar Animation Studios Artist Showcase series

A simple but welcome addition to a small, but growing, number of books depicting Southeast Asian Muslims.

A story of mother and daughter, their day-to-day life in a small Malaysian village, and the love they have for each other.

“Little Aleeya and her dear mommy—Mommy sayang,” spend their days in their kampung (small village), making everyday tasks fun together. Whether it is during prayer (when her mother wears a telekung), doing chores, or spending time with family and friends, Aleeya and Mommy are always side by side. Even in Aleeya’s dreams they spend time together, eating curry puffs in the shade of red hibiscus flowers. But when Mommy gets sick, the little girl must comfort herself and try to think of a way to make Mommy feel better. This autobiographical picture book, a debut from Pixar artist Sullivan, celebrates the vibrancy of life in a small Malaysian village. The all-Malaysian cast evinces differences in skin tone and facial features; Aleeya’s mother and aunties wear tudung/hijab, with long tops and pants, skirts, sarongs, and abayas, while two men wear the traditional kopiah, a truncated cone cap. Aleeya has curly black hair and wears a sleeveless red romper. In one poignant scene she clutches her mother’s sarong and weeps; her joy in another, at seeing her mother recovering in bed, in a T-shirt and with hair uncovered, is palpable. Since Mommy’s illness is never specified, this is a gentle vehicle to introduce many kinds of parent-child separations.

A simple but welcome addition to a small, but growing, number of books depicting Southeast Asian Muslims. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: April 2, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-368-01590-5

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Disney Press

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019

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PAPA DOESN'T DO ANYTHING!

A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren.

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In talk-show host Fallon and illustrator Ordóñez’s latest picture-book collaboration, an elderly pooch waxes rhapsodic about a life well lived.

Observing Papa sitting in his chair watching TV all day, a young pup says, “I’m starting to think…you don’t do ANYTHING.” So Papa proceeds to list his accomplishments, both big and small, mundane and profound. Some are just a result of being older and physically bigger (being tall enough to reach a high shelf and strong enough to open jars); others include winning a race and performing in a band when he was younger. Eventually, the pup realizes that while Papa may have slowed down in his old age, he’s led a full life. The most satisfying thing about Papa’s life now? Watching his grandchild take center stage: “I can say lots of thoughts / but I choose to be quiet. / I’d rather you discover things and then try it.” Fallon’s straightforward text is sweetly upbeat, though it occasionally lacks flow, forcing incongruous situations together to fit the rhyme scheme (“I cook and I mow, / and I once flew a plane. // I play newspaper puzzles because it’s good for my brain”). Featuring uncluttered, colorful backgrounds, Ordóñez’s child-friendly digital art at times takes on sepia tones, evoking the sense of looking back at old photos or memories. Though the creators tread familiar ground, the love between Papa and his little one is palpable.

A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren. (Picture book. 3-6)

Pub Date: May 13, 2025

ISBN: 9781250393975

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025

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THERE'S A ROCK CONCERT IN MY BEDROOM

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

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