Amazing.
A mother-daughter road trip with feels aplenty.
A rainstorm imperils Francie and her mother as they drive home in their little red car after visiting Grandma, anticipating the return of Francie’s father who’s been away for work. Race isn’t named in the text, though the two are illustrated as light-skinned black people. Roads are perilous with heavy traffic, and then a big rig careens by, forcing them “up into the picnic area,” where they wait out the storm. Background characters, named and specified in narration, separately endure the rain, while Francie and her mother eat a picnic in the car. Textual references to an unseen “Baby Sister” are clarified when Francie asks, “What will her name be, Mommy?” “Well, she’s not quite with us yet,” Mom responds, and Francie suggests names for her sister, still in utero. It’s not until later at a gas station that Mom is struck with inspiration, though no one milling about in their own specific lives notices—not “Sam Miller feeding his dog fried chicken legs. Nor by Kate Calder losing her Sour Fruity Fizzes from a hole in her pocket.” Mom hugs Francie and tells her the baby’s name will be Grace. It’s a name befitting the quiet solemnity of a story that highlights the everyday wonders of human experience, lovingly depicted in Graham’s characteristically humorous, soft ink-and-watercolor illustrations.
Amazing. (Picture book. 3-8)Pub Date: June 13, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9269-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2017
Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story.
A home-renovation project is interrupted by a family of wrens, allowing a young girl an up-close glimpse of nature.
Renata and her father enjoy working on upgrading their bathroom, installing a clawfoot bathtub, and cutting a space for a new window. One warm night, after Papi leaves the window space open, two wrens begin making a nest in the bathroom. Rather than seeing it as an unfortunate delay of their project, Renata and Papi decide to let the avian carpenters continue their work. Renata witnesses the birth of four chicks as their rosy eggs split open “like coats that are suddenly too small.” Renata finds at a crucial moment that she can help the chicks learn to fly, even with the bittersweet knowledge that it will only hasten their exits from her life. Rosen uses lively language and well-chosen details to move the story of the baby birds forward. The text suggests the strong bond built by this Afro-Latinx father and daughter with their ongoing project without needing to point it out explicitly, a light touch in a picture book full of delicate, well-drawn moments and precise wording. Garoche’s drawings are impressively detailed, from the nest’s many small bits to the developing first feathers on the chicks and the wall smudges and exposed wiring of the renovation. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.)
Renata’s wren encounter proves magical, one most children could only wish to experience outside of this lovely story. (Picture book. 3-7)Pub Date: March 16, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-12320-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Schwartz & Wade/Random
Review Posted Online: Jan. 12, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2021
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
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