Hold tight to this gentle story about depression.
A tender story of a young child struggling to understand Daddy’s illness.
As Ella watches Daddy sleep, all is not what it seems. The child takes the initiative to wake him up and, after many attempts, finally succeeds. Something still does not seem right. Maybe he has a cut or a tummy ache, but bandages and cookies don’t seem to help. Daddy explains he has something called depression. It makes him sad and tired, and it feels like something is weighing him down. He gently explains how he manages depression with therapy, exercise, and his family. Wanting to help, Ella learns that love and lots of tight hugs can give Daddy strength and hope. Engelberg, a psychologist, pens a simple and compelling story of parental depression. Even simplified for the audience, the subject is still a frightening topic, but Haley’s colorful illustrations with bold patterns provide a safe place for the conversation between father and child, who both present White. Illness of any sort is a hard concept for children to understand, let alone one that cannot be physically seen. Haley illustrates depression with dark clouds, adding layers of texture to brighten the clouds and present depression in the story as an illness, not a villain. By the end, Ella’s understanding of Daddy’s behavior transforms the clouds of depression into a rainbow of hope. Two pages of backmatter aimed at caregivers provide further information. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-16-inch double-page spreads viewed at 34.9% of actual size.)
Hold tight to this gentle story about depression. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-4338-3109-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Magination/American Psychological Association
Review Posted Online: Dec. 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2021
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.
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)Pub Date: March 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780063329560
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
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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
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