A gorgeous story inspired by Indigenous legends that will lead intrepid readers on a watery adventure.
Lured away by the songs of mystical creatures in the lake, two Indigenous children must find their way home.
On a fishing trip, Lauren and her younger brother, James, take the canoe out on the lake while their grandfather naps on the shore. The water churns, and humanoid creatures called Memekwesewak tip their boat. The children fall into the water. Dismayed, Lauren watches the Memekwesewak disappear with her brother through a waterfall. She follows “the bends and curves of the watery pathway, searching for James,” until she reaches an island and sees him dancing by a fire with the mystical creatures, caught up in the songs. And when Lauren joins him, she soon forgets why she came there. Not until the children hear the faraway drumbeats and rhythms of home do they remember their grandfather. When they stop and listen, they feel the strong pull of family, which causes the Memekwesewak to scatter. Colorful, swirling, and whimsical, the illustrations follow the lively pace of the text. Rich blues and purples capture the beauty of the night sky, bringing to life a captivating story that ultimately hinges on the love of family. An author’s note explains that many Native peoples have told stories of the Memekwesewak, “one of two humanoid races on Mother Earth, the other being humans like you and me.” (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A gorgeous story inspired by Indigenous legends that will lead intrepid readers on a watery adventure. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9780735266704
Page Count: 52
Publisher: Tundra Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 7, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2023
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Affectionate and affirming.
Today co-anchor Melvin pens an ode to the father-son bond.
A dad lists all the things he admires about his son, including the boy’s willingness to face his fears (such as diving into the swimming pool) and his ability to “make people laugh, / bring joy to folks.” The child shows “kindness and grace” when apologizing for a mistake, and he perseveres in the face of failure (“They can’t all be wins”). The boy has an inquisitive mind (“You ask questions and investigate. / Who knows what you’ll find?”), and he’s a caring big brother who loves building sand castles with his younger sibling. Ultimately, the father salutes his son for the person he is “through good times and bad, / no matter what.” Melvin conveys the joy of watching a child grow into a strong, capable adult while maintaining a sense of childlike wonder. Rather than focusing on traditionally masculine activities or attitudes, he celebrates qualities such as emotional intelligence and a nurturing spirit. While the text on occasion dips into sentimentality, overall Melvin delivers a sound message. Cloud’s digital illustrations depict the family and their diverse community with expressive faces, capturing their myriad emotions and lending the book an exuberant tone. The father presents Black, his partner appears white, and the tan-skinned children are biracial; all are unnamed.
Affectionate and affirming. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 7, 2024
ISBN: 9780063206137
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024
© Copyright 2024 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
bookshelf
