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ONE ROUND MOON AND A STAR FOR ME

Enriched by an African setting, the familiar theme of reassuring a child about his secure place in the family after a new baby is born. The sky is very close to this Lesotho boy; Papa seems to catch a falling star in his milk bucket (`` `A star for a new baby,' says Mama''), and when he sees the rising sun the boy imagines that it's chasing the moon ``back to her empty hut.'' Mennen weaves other celestial images into her simple portrayal of such Lesotho customs for welcoming a baby as gifts of water, soap, or ``fresh cow-dung for a new floor.'' When Papa proudly identifies the child as his (`` `They look like my hands...' ''), the older child expresses misgivings: `` `...are you really my papa too?' '' Papa warmly confirms their relationship with another physical comparison—and also finds the little boy his own special star. Daly's freely rendered art reflects the family's joy and affection while nicely evoking the rural setting. Warmhearted and appealing; it might be wise, in sharing this, to discuss (especially with adoptees) other bases for parent-child bonding. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 1, 1994

ISBN: 0-531-06804-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Orchard

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 1994

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HOME

Visually accomplished but marred by stereotypical cultural depictions.

Ellis, known for her illustrations for Colin Meloy’s Wildwood series, here riffs on the concept of “home.”

Shifting among homes mundane and speculative, contemporary and not, Ellis begins and ends with views of her own home and a peek into her studio. She highlights palaces and mansions, but she also takes readers to animal homes and a certain famously folkloric shoe (whose iconic Old Woman manages a passel of multiethnic kids absorbed in daring games). One spread showcases “some folks” who “live on the road”; a band unloads its tour bus in front of a theater marquee. Ellis’ compelling ink and gouache paintings, in a palette of blue-grays, sepia and brick red, depict scenes ranging from mythical, underwater Atlantis to a distant moonscape. Another spread, depicting a garden and large building under connected, transparent domes, invites readers to wonder: “Who in the world lives here? / And why?” (Earth is seen as a distant blue marble.) Some of Ellis’ chosen depictions, oddly juxtaposed and stripped of any historical or cultural context due to the stylized design and spare text, become stereotypical. “Some homes are boats. / Some homes are wigwams.” A sailing ship’s crew seems poised to land near a trio of men clad in breechcloths—otherwise unidentified and unremarked upon.

Visually accomplished but marred by stereotypical cultural depictions. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Feb. 24, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-7636-6529-6

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2014

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THE TROUBLE WITH CHILDREN (ACCORDING TO DOG)

This humorous, lively dog’s-eye view provides gentle instruction for interacting with pets.

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In Weaver’s charming picture book, a dog reassesses his not-so-glowing review of little kids.

“Families are OVERRATED!” as far as the bluish-gray hound named Dog is concerned. While he approves of the adults in the household, the four small children are for the birds. In an attempt to resolve his conflicted feelings, Dog pours his heart out to a therapist scribbling on a notepad. Dog lists his grievances via couplet rhymes: “And many times I’ve found their dirty toys INSIDE MY BOWL! / It’s obvious these little humans have no SELF-CONTROL!” With key words highlighted in colorful and bolded fonts for more emphasis, his voice now has added urgency. Soylu’s lively drawings in muted tones are wondrously effective in animating Dog; his hanging jowls, big eyes, and floppy ears all convey believably beleaguered expressions. Lifelike details enhance the dramatic effect of the children’s boisterous antics. At the end, Weaver provides a list of do’s and don’ts for interacting with pets. Dog lovers can identify the dog breed silhouettes on the endpapers. Kids will get a kick out of Dog’s opinion of humans and perhaps recognize some behaviors to reconsider.

This humorous, lively dog’s-eye view provides gentle instruction for interacting with pets.

Pub Date: July 16, 2024

ISBN: 9781736267370

Page Count: 40

Publisher: A Little Offbeat Publishing

Review Posted Online: April 26, 2024

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024

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