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HENRY AND THE SOMETHING NEW

Name: HENRY AND THE SOMETHING NEW
Author: Jenn Bailey
ISBN: 9781797213903

From the Henry series , Vol. 2

by Jenn Bailey ; illustrated by Mika Song ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 19, 2024

A simple but engaging slice-of-life story.

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Henry is excited—and a bit worried—about Classroom Ten’s trip to the museum.

Henry, a young boy coded as neurodivergent, has never been to the museum, but it has dinosaurs, which he loves. His teacher gives the class three rules. First, stay with their adult field trip helper. Second, return to the bus by three o’clock. Third— But just as she’s telling them the third rule, the bus pulls up, and Henry doesn’t hear what she says. At the museum, Henry’s assigned parent helper asks his group of three students what they want to see. One student says “moon rocks,” so it’s off to the Rock Room. The other student says “bugs,” so that’s their next stop. Henry wants to say “dinosaurs,” but the word keeps getting stuck in his throat. Finally, Henry shouts his request. The group searches but instead finds a bone room with a friendly scientist, who, after letting them take part in a mini-dig, leads them to the huge dinosaur room. Back on the bus, Henry’s friend asks if he followed the third rule and found something new; after some thought, Henry realizes that he has. This quiet but perceptive tale follows young Henry as he discovers the world at his own pace and reacts in his own, charming way (in the dinosaur room, Henry wraps his arms around himself so all the “happy” doesn’t “slip away”). Interspersed throughout are graceful watercolor-and-ink illustrations, mostly black and white, with pops of green. Henry is cued Asian; his class is diverse.

A simple but engaging slice-of-life story. (Early chapter book. 4-8)

Pub Date: March 19, 2024

ISBN: 9781797213903

Page Count: 56

Publisher: Chronicle Books

Review Posted Online: Dec. 16, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2024

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
HENRY'S PICTURE-PERFECT DAY
by Jenn Bailey ; illustrated by Mika Song

- BOOK REVIEW
THE TWELVE HOURS OF CHRISTMAS
by Jenn Bailey ; illustrated by Bea Jackson

- BOOK REVIEW
HENRY, LIKE ALWAYS
by Jenn Bailey ; illustrated by Mika Song

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

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All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.

Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)

Pub Date: May 1, 2019

ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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LITTLE BLUE TRUCK AND RACER RED

From the Little Blue Truck series

by Alice Schertle ; illustrated by Jill McElmurry ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 25, 2025

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.

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In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.

Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”

A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)