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MASTERPIECE

Samuel’s story comes to life through compassionately drawn characters, warm dialogue, and joyful illustrations.

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Hoffman’s picture book features a young boy on the autism spectrum.

Samuel is a school-age boy with fair skin, light brown hair, and blue eyes who loves the color blue. When his teacher, Ms. Anderson, asks the class to draw pictures of their families, Samuel puts on his headphones and doesn’t hesitate to use his favorite color. While his classmates present pictures employing a veritable rainbow of hues, Samuel creates his own masterpiece exclusively in shades of blue. This prompts the wise teacher to explain, “Some of us use all the colours, and some of us use shades of only one. Even though our art may be different, each is just as special.” Samuel’s use of headphones in the classroom as well as nonverbal cues (like flapping his arms to indicate he’s ready to present his picture) allude to Samuel’s being on the autism spectrum—which elevates a great children’s book to the level of a culturally significant one. Mello’s illustrations splash across the pages with bright, bold colors and lines that draw the eye, perfectly complementing the text. The result is a touching story that all readers can enjoy. Those on the autism spectrum and their loved ones will find much-needed representation in this whimsical story that quietly speaks volumes.

Samuel’s story comes to life through compassionately drawn characters, warm dialogue, and joyful illustrations.

Pub Date: Jan. 4, 2023

ISBN: 9781778071041

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Wishing Star Publishing

Review Posted Online: April 28, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2023

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED

From the Little Blue Truck series

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.

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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

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THE CRAYONS GO BACK TO SCHOOL

Nothing new here but a nonetheless congenial matriculant in publishing’s autumnal rite of back-to-school offerings.

The Crayons head back to class in this latest series entry.

Daywalt’s expository text lays out the basics as various Crayons wave goodbye to the beach, choose a first-day outfit, greet old friends, and make new ones. As in previous outings, the perennially droll illustrations and hand-lettered Crayon-speak drive the humor. The ever wrapperless Peach, opining, “What am I going to wear?” surveys three options: top hat and tails, a chef’s toque and apron, and a Santa suit. New friends Chunky Toddler Crayon (who’s missing a bite-sized bit of their blue point) and Husky Toddler Crayon speculate excitedly on their common last name: “I wonder if we’re related!” White Crayon, all but disappearing against the page’s copious white space, sits cross-legged reading a copy of H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man. And Yellow and Orange, notable for their previous existential argument about the color of the sun, find agreement in science class: Jupiter, clearly, is yellow AND orange. Everybody’s excited about art class—“Even if they make a mess. Actually…ESPECIALLY if they make a mess!” Here, a spread of crayoned doodles of butterflies, hearts, and stars is followed by one with fulsome scribbles. Fans of previous outings will spot cameos from Glow in the Dark and yellow-caped Esteban (the Crayon formerly known as Pea Green). (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Nothing new here but a nonetheless congenial matriculant in publishing’s autumnal rite of back-to-school offerings. (Picture book. 4-6)

Pub Date: May 16, 2023

ISBN: 9780593621110

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Philomel

Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023

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