A moving story about friendship, heartache, and making amends.
A cherished friendship is rocked by jealousy.
Selvi and Divya do everything together. They bike to school, play dress-up, and share meals; they both deeply miss their mothers. The children’s ammas work overseas as domestic helpers, returning home once a year. One day, Selvi notices Divya’s new rainbow bangles—a present from her mother, who’s just come home. The clinking bangles remind Selvi of Amma’s absence. When Divya tries to share her bangles, Selvi yells and throws them away. Remorseful, Selvi later approaches Divya’s house, but the sound of laughter makes Selvi wonder if Divya really needs a friend now that she has her mother. Selvi is starting to bike away slowly in the falling rain when Divya suddenly shows up. Selvi apologizes: “I just wish my amma came back too.” Divya slides some of her bangles onto Selvi’s hand: “Now we’ll each have our own rainbow for gloomy days.” Sensing the quiet note in Divya’s voice, Selvi asks if her mother is leaving. As the sun comes out, Divya smiles and says that Selvi’s mother will be home soon with presents to share. This lyrical story, set in a Sri Lankan tea plantation, reflects the reality of many children who grow up with a parent who works far away. The children’s deep bond, briefly fractured by feelings of jealousy, shines throughout the thoughtful writing. Colorful illustrations capture their lush surroundings and moments of joy and sadness.
A moving story about friendship, heartache, and making amends. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 11, 2024
ISBN: 9781665921718
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: March 23, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2024
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
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
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