An interesting cross-curricular concept with a feminist slant (and some gaps).
Few women have appeared on currency; here are some who have.
A brief history of money introduces short biographies paired to appealing illustrations of women and the bills or coins they’ve appeared on. Those discussed—Cleopatra, Maria Sibylla Merian, Sacagawea, Ichiyо̄ Higuchi, and Queen Sа̄lote Tupou III, for example—are politicians, scientists, activists, artists, educators, and writers from different continents and countries, racial and ethnic groups. Some faces will be familiar to U.S. readers, while others will offer new inspiration. However, even given a collection’s spatial constraints, relevant facts are not always present (the Mirabal sisters of the Dominican Republic are listed as martyrs, but their assassinations go unmentioned; Eva Perón declined a vice presidential nomination, but reasons why—cancer and purported police opposition—are unstated), which seems a lost opportunity to provide substantial content and context. Changes—Lady Liberty’s new identity as a Black woman, Harriet Tubman’s upcoming appearance as the first African American on a U.S. bill—are included, yet the text does not discuss racism. The connections between the roles and rights of women and the reasons why few women have appeared on money are implicit and may not always be apparent to younger readers. Still, what’s striking and effective here are the range and wealth of strong women and their accomplishments from different corners of the world.
An interesting cross-curricular concept with a feminist slant (and some gaps). (author's note, glossary) (Collective biography. 5-10)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-8075-7342-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Whitman
Review Posted Online: Aug. 30, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2021
A good-enough introduction to a contested festivity but one that’s not in step with the community it’s for.
An overview of the modern African-American holiday.
This book arrives at a time when black people in the United States have had intraracial—some serious, some snarky—conversations about Kwanzaa’s relevance nowadays, from its patchwork inspiration that flattens the cultural diversity of the African continent to a single festive story to, relatedly, the earnest blacker-than-thou pretentiousness surrounding it. Both the author and consultant Keith A. Mayes take great pains—and in painfully simplistic language—to provide a context that attempts to refute the internal arguments as much as it informs its intended audience. In fact, Mayes says in the endnotes that young people are Kwanzaa’s “largest audience and most important constituents” and further extends an invitation to all races and ages to join the winter celebration. However, his “young people represent the future” counterpoint—and the book itself—really responds to an echo of an argument, as black communities have moved the conversation out to listen to African communities who critique the holiday’s loose “African-ness” and deep American-ness and moved on to commemorate holidays that have a more historical base in black people’s experiences in the United States, such as Juneteenth. In this context, the explications of Kwanzaa’s principles and symbols and the smattering of accompanying activities feel out of touch.
A good-enough introduction to a contested festivity but one that’s not in step with the community it’s for. (resources, bibliography, glossary, afterword) (Nonfiction. 5-8)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4263-2849-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: National Geographic Kids
Review Posted Online: Oct. 27, 2017
Engaging, well-chosen images and a clear, coherent text illuminate the importance of empathy for the world’s inhabitants.
Large color photographs (occasionally composed of montages) and accessible, simple text highlight global similarities and differences, always focusing on our universal connections.
While child readers may not recognize Manzano, the Puerto Rican actress who played Maria on Sesame Street, adults will recognize her as a trusted diverse voice. In her endnote, she explains her desire to “encourage lively conversations about shared experiences.” Starting out with the familiar, home and community, the text begins with “How many WONDERFUL PEOPLE do you know?” Then it moves out to the world: “Did you know there are about 8 BILLION PEOPLE on the planet?” The photo essay features the usual concrete similarities and differences found in many books of this type, such as housing (a Mongolian yurt opposite a Hong Kong apartment building overlooking a basketball court), food (dumplings, pizza, cotton candy, a churro, etc.), and school. Manzano also makes sure to point out likenesses in emotions, as shown in a montage of photos from countries including China, Spain, Kashmir (Pakistan/India), and the United States. At the end, a world map and thumbnail images show the locations of all photos, revealing a preponderance of examples from the U.S. and a slight underrepresentation for Africa and South America.
Engaging, well-chosen images and a clear, coherent text illuminate the importance of empathy for the world’s inhabitants. (Informational picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-4263-3738-3
Page Count: 32
Publisher: National Geographic Kids
Review Posted Online: May 2, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2020
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