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DEAR NEW FRIEND

Name: DEAR NEW FRIEND
Author: Taraneh Matloob
ISBN: 9781636551463

by Taraneh Matloob ; illustrated by Alida Massari ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 11, 2025

A warm and most welcome invitation.

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A Persian child welcomes a guest.

“I am excited to have you come over,” the young narrator says. “Knock with the secret knock only we know.” The dark-haired, brown-skinned protagonist appears on the left side of the spread, doodling grass that transforms into a red brick path that continues onto the right side. A light-skinned, freckled, red-headed child walks along the path to the house. With matching smiles, the two children enjoy Grandma’s cooking, pick watermelons in the backyard (and spit out the seeds), peek in at Dad weaving a new rug, and play Tileh, a game involving marbles. Throughout, the narrator addresses the friend; readers, especially those unfamiliar with Persian traditions, will feel lovingly embraced, as though they, too, are being invited to enjoy Grandma’s walnut cookies or to flick a marble of their own. Filled with symmetric floral details reminiscent of Persian rugs, the stylized illustrations make sumptuous use of blue. An especially arresting spread shows outstretched hands intertwined with budding flowers and birds—a tribute to Dad’s weaving. The child shares a Persian aphorism: “A well-made carpet becomes more good-looking as the years go by.” Sumptuous art is paired with spare text, while backmatter on Persian words and rugs and an author’s note provide a neat coda.

A warm and most welcome invitation. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 11, 2025

ISBN: 9781636551463

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Red Comet Press

Review Posted Online: Dec. 14, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2025

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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THE COOL BEAN MAKES A SPLASH

From the I Can Read! series

by Jory John ; illustrated by Pete Oswald ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 26, 2024

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.

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The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.

Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)