A supportive grandparent is a joy; a pushy grandma is not, and readers may not wish to spend much time with this one.
A grandmother dog supports her grandchild in many sports and school activities, pushing the pup to achieve greater results and future fame.
Nana is an old-fashioned grandmother dog with a curly, gray topknot, glasses, plaid skirts, and sensible shoes. However, her attitude as a pushy-parent stand-in embodies the worst modern-day aspects of poor sportsmanship and sideline second-guessing of coaches, umpires, and teachers. She inserts herself on the team bench at a swim meet in order to ensure her grandchild is first in line to compete, gives the football coach unsolicited tips on plays, and interrupts a band concert by dancing in the aisle. At a baseball game, Nana screams at the umpire that he needs to get his eyes checked. When Nana breaks her ankle after a fall, her grandchild helps her in many kind, loving ways, with a final page showing the pup on Nana’s lap as her biggest fan. Nana is presented in the first-person narration by the young dog as a competitive character who “always has to win,” even at card games with her devoted grandchild. There are no consequences for her poor behavior other than glaring looks from other parents, and Nana doesn’t change her ways even when she is reminded of the posted rules of good sportsmanship. Humorous, cartoon-style illustrations with a cast of dogs and cats add some exuberance with lots of motion and clever details.
A supportive grandparent is a joy; a pushy grandma is not, and readers may not wish to spend much time with this one. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 4, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9560-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 2, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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