A stirring tale of perseverance.
In her debut picture book, Lari, the first figure skater to compete internationally while wearing a hijab, tells her story.
After watching Disney’s Ice Princess, young Zahra dreams of taking to the rink herself. Family and friends express skepticism, but she responds to comments such as “You don’t know how to skate” with “Not yet.” Family members point out that she’s too old to start training, that she lacks access to skating rinks in the United Arab Emirates, that it’s cold out on the ice, and that figure skaters don’t look like her. As Zahra’s “Not yet” shrinks into a whisper, her father hears its soft persistence and takes her to get a pair of skates. Though Zahra’s first time on the ice doesn’t meet her expectations, she refuses to give up, and her aspirations and skill continue to grow. The authors’ notes in the back are delightful, emphasizing the power of realizing one’s dreams. While the text focuses on the internal and familial barriers Lari faced, the backmatter discusses the obstacles she encountered when wearing her headscarf on the international stage. Alfageeh’s illustrations capture contemporary and cultural designs, clothing, and landscapes of the UAE along with characters’ cartoonish comedic facial expressions. Young Zahra’s scarf flows with fantastic joy in many spreads, while the adult Zahra is depicted wearing sportswear hijabs.
A stirring tale of perseverance. (illustrator’s note) (Picture-book memoir. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 6, 2024
ISBN: 9781338865202
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Dec. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2024
A supplemental rather than introductory book on the great artist.
Frida Kahlo’s strong affection for and identification with animals form the lens through which readers view her life and work in this picture-book biography.
Each two-page spread introduces one or more of her pets, comparing her characteristics to theirs and adding biographical details. Confusingly for young readers, the beginning pages reference pets she owned as an adult, yet the illustrations and events referred to come from earlier in her life. Bonito the parrot perches in a tree overlooking young Frida and her family in her childhood home and pops up again later, just before the first mention of Diego Rivera. Granizo, the fawn, another pet from her adult years, is pictured beside a young Frida and her father along with a description of “her life as a little girl.” The author’s note adds important details about Kahlo’s life and her significance as an artist, as well as recommending specific paintings that feature her beloved animals. Expressive acrylic paintings expertly evoke Kahlo’s style and color palette. While young animal lovers will identify with her attachment to her pets and may enjoy learning about the Aztec origins of her Xolo dogs and the meaning of turkeys in ancient Mexico, the book may be of most interest to those who already have an interest in Kahlo’s life.
A supplemental rather than introductory book on the great artist. (Picture book/biography. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4269-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: June 18, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Colorful, upbeat, and just for Swifties.
What is being a Swiftie all about? Finding joy in the things you love!
For Taylor Swift and her fans, love comes from baking tasty desserts, snuggling with pets, enjoying fireworks with friends, and attending concerts. Vibrant illustrations that evoke bright pop music are scattered with references to Taylor’s life, such as a red sports jersey (a nod to her high-profile relationship with a certain Kansas City Chiefs tight end) or a stack of friendship bracelets (which devotees know are commonly made by hand and traded at Swift’s concerts). Without this prior knowledge of Swift lore, this peppy picture book may feel like a somewhat superficial, though positive, list of ways to find happiness; some readers may wish the author had included messages about acceptance and self-love, commonly found in Swift’s lyrics. Still, the intended audience will welcome it as a joyful love letter to her fans. Pops of color splash across scenes of Taylor and a racially diverse set of friends doing their favorite things atop a stark white background. The star’s recognizable fashion style and facial features are spot-on, while most other featured characters feel more generic.
Colorful, upbeat, and just for Swifties. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Jan. 14, 2025
ISBN: 9781665973519
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024
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