A reminder that wisdom comes in different forms and from different sources.
Sometimes slowness wins out over speed.
Hamor, a donkey belonging to Egypt’s renowned Rabbi Moses Maimonides, unhurriedly carries his master to the sultan’s palace daily and learns much from the wise thoughts he expresses aloud. One day, the sultan asks the rabbi to write a medical book, but he has little time, so the sultan provides a sleek horse to deliver the rabbi to the palace more swiftly. Good news for the rabbi, sorrowful news for Hamor, who misses hearing the rabbi’s lessons. The rabbi isn’t altogether pleased, however, agreeing that the rapid horse allows him more time for writing—but less time for thinking. He realizes that he requires slower-paced journeys to gather his thoughts while traveling: Riding Hamor is his “only time for thinking in [his] whole day.” In the end, perhaps it’s Hamor who teaches a wise scholar a valuable lesson? This thought-provoking tale will be especially welcome in Jewish school and synagogue-library collections as an introduction to the acclaimed 12th-century Spanish-born Sephardic Jewish scholar-philosopher Rabbi Moses ben Maimon (also called Maimonides). Based on Maimonides’ own writing, it advances a gentle, respectful message about human-animal relationships. Architectural and apparel styles, vegetation, and decorative motifs strongly evoke the Middle Eastern setting; yellow ocher, russets, and orange-browns convey the warm hues of desert sands. Humans, Hamor, and animal characters are expressive; the people are brown-skinned.
A reminder that wisdom comes in different forms and from different sources. (historical note; portrait of Rabbi Moses Maimonides) (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9781728445595
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Kar-Ben
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.
A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.
The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)
Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020
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
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