A sweet picture book that values social growth as much as academic learning.
Jeanne Shriver and Mark K. Shriver’s alphabet book aims to inspire young children with a story about emotional intelligence and inclusivity.
With simple rhymes, the authors use the alphabet to encourage children to consider how the letters can form powerful words, such as empathy (“Empathy tells others / they are never alone. / Imagine their feelings, / and make them your own”), care, understand, and trust; it’s a structure that gives the 26 letters a deeper meaning. Although similar ABC books exist, the sincerity of this book’s text is deeply felt as it suggests that the most profound learning happens in the heart. It also serves as a reminder to parents and children alike that what matters most is how kind one is to other people. Watson’s colorful cartoon illustrations depict diverse characters with various skin tones and abilities. Multigenerational portrayals give voice to adult caregivers who may read this book aloud to little ones. The tone is light, vibrant, warm, and optimistic, and the book would be a great read for children between the ages of 2 and 6 who are just beginning to navigate the social landscape.
A sweet picture book that values social growth as much as academic learning. (2-6)Pub Date: June 18, 2024
ISBN: 9780829454833
Page Count: 32
Publisher: 4U2B Books & Media
Review Posted Online: May 6, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A substantive and affirming addition to any collection.
An impressive array of names, events, and concepts from Black history are introduced in this alphabet book for early-elementary readers.
From A for anthem(“a banner of song / that wraps us in hope, lets us know we belong”) to Z for zenith(“the top of that mountain King said we would reach”), this picture book is a journey through episodes, ideas, and personalities that represent a wide range of Black experiences. Some spreads celebrate readers themselves, like B for beautiful(“I’m talking to you!”); others celebrate accomplishments, such as E for explore(Matthew Henson, Mae Jemison), or experiences, like G for the Great Migration. The rhyming verses are light on the tongue, making the reading smooth and soothing. The brightly colored, folk art–style illustrations offer vibrant scenes of historical and contemporary Black life, with common people and famous people represented in turn. Whether reading straight through and poring over each page or flipping about to look at the refreshing scenes full of brown and black faces, readers will feel pride and admiration for the resilience and achievements of Black people and a call to participate in the “unfinished…American tale.” Endnotes clarify terms and figures, and a resource list includes child-friendly books, websites, museums, and poems.
A substantive and affirming addition to any collection. (Informational picture book. 6-11)Pub Date: Dec. 8, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5235-0749-8
Page Count: 64
Publisher: Workman
Review Posted Online: Sept. 28, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A solid addition to Rotner’s seasonal series. Bring on summer.
Rotner follows up her celebrations of spring and autumn with this look at all things winter.
Beginning with the signs that winter is coming—bare trees, shorter days, colder temperatures—Rotner eases readers into the season. People light fires and sing songs on the solstice, trees and plants stop growing, and shadows grow long. Ice starts to form on bodies of water and windows. When the snow flies, the fun begins—bundle up and then build forts, make snowballs and snowmen (with eyebrows!), sled, ski (nordic is pictured), skate, snowshoe, snowboard, drink hot chocolate. Animals adapt to the cold as well. “Birds grow more feathers” (there’s nothing about fluffing and air insulation) and mammals, more hair. They have to search for food, and Rotner discusses how many make or find shelter, slow down, hibernate, or go underground or underwater to stay warm. One page talks about celebrating holidays with lights and decorations. The photos show a lit menorah, an outdoor deciduous tree covered in huge Christmas bulbs, a girl next to a Chinese dragon head, a boy with lit luminarias, and some fireworks. The final spread shows signs of the season’s shift to spring. Rotner’s photos, as always, are a big draw. The children are a marvelous mix of cultures and races, and all show their clear delight with winter.
A solid addition to Rotner’s seasonal series. Bring on summer. (Informational picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Oct. 16, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3976-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Aug. 13, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
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