A sweet but familiar and predictable approach to the I’m-too-small conundrum.
A young elephant struggles with feeling too small on his birthday.
Wellington’s “a whole year older” than yesterday. But while his parents at first pretend not to recognize the handsome gentleman who joins them at breakfast, their gift proves that their son is not quite as big as they thought (or he’d like); the jacket that’s just like Dad’s is way too big. So, he and Dad set off to visit the tailor and then Grandad. Wellington’s thrilled that he now needs a ticket (half-price) to ride the bus, and he’s awed at how big the city looks from atop his father’s shoulders. But when they find the tailor repeatedly out, their size differences are further highlighted as they try out a tuba at the music store (Wellington “could barely get it to make a sound”) and eat giant ice cream sundaes (Wellington can’t finish his). Giving up on the tailor, they head to Grandad’s, where the wise older pachyderm finds a way to show Wellington that he’s exactly the right size, and the three of them end the day on a high note; perhaps the jacket will fit on Wellington’s next birthday. White backgrounds keep the focus on the characters. Small really plays up the size difference between the elephants: Wellington is one-fifth the size of his enormous father, which can make it tough to see the tyke’s facial expressions unless you’re up close or a lapsitter. This is a perennial topic, and this wordy take on it doesn’t quite stand out from the rest. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A sweet but familiar and predictable approach to the I’m-too-small conundrum. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: Aug. 30, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-66592-255-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: May 10, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story.
A home-renovation project is interrupted by a family of wrens, allowing a young girl an up-close glimpse of nature.
Renata and her father enjoy working on upgrading their bathroom, installing a clawfoot bathtub, and cutting a space for a new window. One warm night, after Papi leaves the window space open, two wrens begin making a nest in the bathroom. Rather than seeing it as an unfortunate delay of their project, Renata and Papi decide to let the avian carpenters continue their work. Renata witnesses the birth of four chicks as their rosy eggs split open “like coats that are suddenly too small.” Renata finds at a crucial moment that she can help the chicks learn to fly, even with the bittersweet knowledge that it will only hasten their exits from her life. Rosen uses lively language and well-chosen details to move the story of the baby birds forward. The text suggests the strong bond built by this Afro-Latinx father and daughter with their ongoing project without needing to point it out explicitly, a light touch in a picture book full of delicate, well-drawn moments and precise wording. Garoche’s drawings are impressively detailed, from the nest’s many small bits to the developing first feathers on the chicks and the wall smudges and exposed wiring of the renovation. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.)
Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: March 16, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-12320-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021
An affirming, though lackluster, look at a loving queer family.
For his debut picture book, teacher and activist Chasten Buttigieg draws inspiration from life with husband Pete Buttigieg, former U.S. transportation secretary.
The big day has finally arrived! Rosie and Jojo have been counting down the days until Papa comes home from his work trip. With a little help from Daddy, they make “welcome home” signs to greet Papa at the airport, pick flowers from the garden, and bake a “seven-layer chocolate cake with purple and yellow frosting.” Much to Daddy’s bemusement, the kids gather all of Papa’s favorite things, including his robe and slippers and their adorable pooch, Butter, as they walk out the door to pick up Papa from his travels. The author offers an affectionate portrait of the everyday domestic life of a same-sex family unit. While many kids and adults will be pleased to see their experiences reflected on the page, both the choppy writing and the flat digital artwork are fairly bland. Characters display similarly excited facial expressions throughout, while the portrayal of the children borders on overly cutesy at times, with intentionally misspelled signs throughout the house (“Papa’s Very Spechull Garden. Please do not tutch”). Like the author’s actual children, Rosie and Jojo are brown-skinned, while Daddy and Papa present white.
An affirming, though lackluster, look at a loving queer family. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 20, 2025
ISBN: 9780593693988
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: Feb. 15, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
