Next book

CELEBRATIONS

From the We Are Little Feminists series , Vol. 4

Warmly celebratory and inclusive.

Photographs of religious and cultural celebrations.

This board book in the We Are Little Feminists series spotlights religious holidays like Ramadan and Obon, as well as family celebrations like adoption day and preschool graduation. The rhyming text progresses across page turns so that only a few words of a longer phrase appear on each. Bright, full-color photographs from a variety of contributors (listed toward the end) accompany the text. People depicted are diverse in terms of family type, race, and religion. Two young Jewish children wearing yarmulkes celebrate Passover, a Black family lights candles for Kwanzaa, and a North American Indigenous child participates in a powwow. Love, joy, and wonder are palpable in all of the images of ceremonies and celebrations. A helpful glossary, arranged by page number rather than alphabetically, identifies each celebration and names the related religion or culture as it applies. While this does make for a clunky back and forth if little readers ask questions along the way, it does streamline the look of each page. Additionally, the useful note for adults and “Family Discussion Questions”—broken down by age group to foster meaningful dialogue—will encourage conversation and curiosity. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Warmly celebratory and inclusive. (Board book. 1-4)

Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-73418-248-4

Page Count: 20

Publisher: Little Feminist Press

Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022

Next book

DIWALI LIGHTS

The photographs carry this board book even though the presentation and text disappoint.

Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the largest Hindu festivals, and it’s celebrated all around the world; this nonfiction board book presents its sights, sounds, and celebrations.

Each page of brief, often rhyming text is paired with a vivid photograph depicting wide-eyed toddlers and young children of the Indian diaspora, with dark hair and skin of varying shades of brown. These photographs are the best feature of this book. The text, as narrated by an adult to a young child, talks about the various aspects of the Diwali celebration, including new clothes, prayers, henna, sweets, firecrackers. It occasionally reads awkwardly, and readers may have to hunt for rhymes: “Buy diyas, candles / and paper lanterns.// Henna for hands / and rangoli sand.” With its focus on very young children, the book shows how Diwali is celebrated rather than why. However, notably absent is the holiday’s important community aspect. And although there are multiple mentions of diyas, these beautiful clay lamps that are a highlight of this festival are neither depicted nor explained; neither are such other specialized vocabulary as “jaan” or “rangoli.” A short note at the back of the book gives a smidge more information for older children. There are not many board books for very young kids on this topic, and this one is not everything it could have been.

The photographs carry this board book even though the presentation and text disappoint. (Board book. 2-4)

Pub Date: Aug. 28, 2018

ISBN: 978-1-4598-1908-5

Page Count: 24

Publisher: Orca

Review Posted Online: Nov. 11, 2018

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019

Next book

TRUTH WITH SOCRATES

Raises more questions than it answers…and that’s good.

While this book won’t help toddlers understand the scale of Socrates’ importance to Western thought, it presents some simple and vital moral truths and should get kids thinking about thinking.

In a spate of board books for toddlers aiming to introduce them to concepts perhaps better suited to college classrooms, this volume manages to be sweetly age appropriate. It will not give young children an appreciation of the Socratic method; in fact, no iteration of the term occurs. If it teaches children to value truth and honesty, though, and to build an inquisitive spirit, it will justify its place on a child’s bookshelf. As portrayed herein, Socrates is a brown-skinned, bearded old man with a toga, staff, and dog; he has large eyes and appears to be thinking hard. Simple, clear text explains, “A philosopher is someone who loves wisdom.… / Socrates was a philosopher who lived a long time ago.” A racially diverse cast of children, some with visible disabilities, explores their world, asking themselves, “Why am I here?” and “Where did the world come from?” The characters’ large oval heads allow for big, expressive faces with lots of personality. Contrasting pastels and a rich palette of distinct skin tones, varied fonts with colorful highlights, and eye-catching background patterns provide great visual appeal. “Socrates...said wisdom meant wondering about the truth.… / What is something you wonder about?”

Raises more questions than it answers…and that’s good. (Board book. 1-4)

Pub Date: July 7, 2020

ISBN: 978-0-593-10875-8

Page Count: 20

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: March 28, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2020

Close Quickview