An affirming, nurturing, and powerful celebration of Black men, past, present, and future.
A young Black boy and an adult companion journey hand in hand as they discuss the achievements of inspirational Black male figures.
The frontispiece, featuring colorful, joyful, and mosaiclike illustrations of the child and his stylishly dressed adult companion engaged in various activities, sets the tone for the opening text: “Dear boy, Black boy, rise up, it’s time. / It’s a new day and a chance to shine.” As the boy points ahead, the sun beams down, illuminating the path. A figure wearing a football uniform emblazoned with the number seven appears ahead of them (“A story of courage that starts on this day. / Courage like these men who paved a way”)—Colin Kaepernick, who is illustrated taking a knee. As they continue, the companion poses questions and suggestions to the boy (“Dear boy, / Black boy, / what do you read? / Chinua Achebe’s poems / inspirational indeed”) in mostly rhyming text accompanied by bold, vibrant illustrations. Along the way, more Black figures are introduced, among them Barack Obama, Arthur Mitchell, and Elijah McCoy. Eventually, the two arrive at a fork in the road, where the boy receives encouragement about his future and is told that he must begin his own journey. This ode to Black boy joy abounds in positive representation of Black men and serves as a beautiful reminder of a glorious lineage. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An affirming, nurturing, and powerful celebration of Black men, past, present, and future. (biographical notes about the individuals mentioned) (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Aug. 9, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-72825-064-9
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks eXplore
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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
Wins for compassion and for the refusal to let physical limitations hold one back.
With such short arms, how can Tiny T. Rex give a sad friend a hug?
Fleck goes for cute in the simple, minimally detailed illustrations, drawing the diminutive theropod with a chubby turquoise body and little nubs for limbs under a massive, squared-off head. Impelled by the sight of stegosaurian buddy Pointy looking glum, little Tiny sets out to attempt the seemingly impossible, a comforting hug. Having made the rounds seeking advice—the dino’s pea-green dad recommends math; purple, New Age aunt offers cucumber juice (“That is disgusting”); red mom tells him that it’s OK not to be able to hug (“You are tiny, but your heart is big!”), and blue and yellow older sibs suggest practice—Tiny takes up the last as the most immediately useful notion. Unfortunately, the “tree” the little reptile tries to hug turns out to be a pterodactyl’s leg. “Now I am falling,” Tiny notes in the consistently self-referential narrative. “I should not have let go.” Fortunately, Tiny lands on Pointy’s head, and the proclamation that though Rexes’ hugs may be tiny, “I will do my very best because you are my very best friend” proves just the mood-lightening ticket. “Thank you, Tiny. That was the biggest hug ever.” Young audiences always find the “clueless grown-ups” trope a knee-slapper, the overall tone never turns preachy, and Tiny’s instinctive kindness definitely puts him at (gentle) odds with the dinky dino star of Bob Shea’s Dinosaur Vs. series.
Wins for compassion and for the refusal to let physical limitations hold one back. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: March 5, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4521-7033-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 11, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2018
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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