by Tiffany D. Jackson ; illustrated by Sawyer Cloud ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 13, 2024
In a sea of trick-or-treat books, this one keeps it real.
An upbeat young New Yorker finds a way to have a happy Halloween.
Janelle has her doctor costume, her trick-or-treat bucket, and a pumpkin ready to be carved. Usually, her mother drives her to the suburbs to trick-or-treat, but this year, both her parents are working. At school, Janelle asks her friends how they’ll be celebrating. Niko tells her that he trick-or-treats in his cousin’s 30-story building, while Nayara walks down Court Street, where shop owners pass out treats—including, in true New York City fashion, mini-bagels. That night, as they carve their pumpkin, Janelle’s father tells her that when he was a child, he stayed home out of fear of “real monsters.” Some of his neighbors opted to stay home even when his community tried to have a safe candy-sharing and costumed event at the nearby playground. YA novelist Jackson conveys the pleasures of Halloween while acknowledging that, due to safety reasons, many city dwellers find their own ways to observe the holiday. Janelle’s compromise—giving out candy from her dad’s store—is a realistic and, ultimately, joy-filled solution. Cloud’s soft cartoon artwork depicts an urban neighborhood full of supportive residents and business owners. Janelle, Niko, and Nayara present Black; their community is diverse.
In a sea of trick-or-treat books, this one keeps it real. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593110287
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dial Books
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
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by D.J. Steinberg ; illustrated by Laurie Stansfield ‧ RELEASE DATE: Dec. 27, 2022
Effectively captures the excitement surrounding Valentine’s Day.
A collection of poems follows a group of elementary school students as they prepare for and celebrate Valentine’s Day.
One student starts the day by carefully choosing clothing in pink, purple, or red, while a family kicks off the morning with a breakfast of red, heart-shaped pancakes. At school, children create valentines until party time finally arrives with lots of yummy treats. The students give valentines to their school friends, of course, but we also see one child making a “special delivery” to a pet, a stuffed animal, family members, and even the crossing guard. The poems also extend the Valentine’s celebration to the community park, where other couples—some older, one that appears to be same-sex—are struck by cupid’s “magical love arrows.” Note the child running away: “Blech!” Not everyone wants to “end up in love!!!” But the spread devoted to Valentine’s jokes will please readers more interested in humor than in romance and inspire children to create their own jokes. To make the celebration complete, the last pages of the book contain stickers and a double-sided “BEE MINE!” valentine that readers can, with adult help, cut out. Cheery and kid-friendly, the poems can be read independently or from cover to cover as a full story. The cartoonish illustrations include lots of hearts and emphasize the growing Valentine’s Day excitement, depicting a diverse classroom that includes students who use wheelchairs. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Effectively captures the excitement surrounding Valentine’s Day. (Picture-book poetry. 4-6)Pub Date: Dec. 27, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-38717-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2022
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by Troy Cummings ; illustrated by Troy Cummings ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 5, 2023
An Otto-rly successful modern Christmas story.
A glitzy ornament searches for a tree worthy of him but finds his real place where he least expects it.
“Merry Christmas, bulbs and baubles! I’m Otto! I’m here to bedeck the heck out of your tree!” And “bedeck the heck” he tries! When Otto is told there’s space for him in the middle of the tree, he scoffs—only the top will do for an ornament like him. After he mocks his fellow ornaments, they refuse to make room for him, so he heads out to look for a new place to shine. He takes a scarring tumble down into the sewer, where he encounters an unlikely precious item. Returning with his find, Otto no longer sparkles but still manages to shine at home on the tree. This is a well-paced, appealing tale that will make for a great preschool read-aloud come December. Arrogant Otto has a satisfying redemptive arc that will resonate with readers. The dialogue and wordplay are pitch-perfect, bringing the characters to life. A mix of cartoonish vignettes and full-page spreads effectively depicts action and movement. Otto is multicolored and patterned with big eyes and a winning grin; the other ornaments on the tree also have personalities that match their styles. The few humans who appear are racially diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An Otto-rly successful modern Christmas story. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9780593481202
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 15, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2023
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