Lovely lessons to learn here, gently and kindly told.
Maddie is adjusting to her new life in Israel, but she misses Thanksgiving with her U.S. relatives.
When Maddie’s new friend Orly invites her to a celebration of Sigd, an Ethiopian Jewish holiday, Maddie decides to contribute a pumpkin pie to the feast. There are no pumpkins or evaporated milk in Israel, so Maddie and Orly draw pictures of the missing ingredients to show to their neighbors, all Jewish families from around the world, by way of asking for contributions across language barriers. Mrs. Ivanova from Ukraine substitutes a butternut squash for the pumpkin. Mr. Tautang from India provides coconut cream, and Mrs. Calderon from Mexico supplies tortillas for a pie crust. Together, Maddie, her dad, and Orly prepare the pie. Everyone samples the food at the feast, just like Thanksgiving. Maddie tries several “interesting” dishes and politely puts them aside. When Orly has exactly the same reaction to the pie, giggles ensue. The kess, an Ethiopian rabbi, reminds them that Sigd and Thanksgiving are both opportunities to be thankful that they are in Jerusalem together. With a diverse cast of appealing characters and the sweet friendship between the two girls, MacLeod stresses the connections among all the members of the Jewish diaspora. Damanti’s detailed vignettes follow the proceedings closely and depict the dark brown skin of the Ethiopian characters, the brown and white shades of the neighbors, as well as Maddie and her dad’s midtoned shades of white.
Lovely lessons to learn here, gently and kindly told. (author’s note) (Picture book/religion. 5-9)Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-68115-566-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Apples & Honey Press
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A charming illustration of childhood memories during the holiday season.
A colorful wintry tale ushers in Chinese New Year over two weeks.
In this picture book, the narrator recounts with nostalgia an observance of the traditional New Year in rural northern China. The snow-covered village bustles with activity as folks venture out to greet relatives and friends. “On the third day, uncles started giving LANTERNS” refers to an old custom in provincial Shaanxi—especially among maternal uncles. Palpable and immediate are Zhao Di’s eager anticipation and the care with which she “walk[s] through the snow with her lantern in case she slipped or the candle blew out in the wind.” Simple yet vivid close-ups depict Zhao Di and her friends, bundled head to toe and comparing lantern designs—accordion, watermelon, etc.—while braving the cold and a bunch of rowdy boys. All too soon, the 15th day arrives, signaling the end of the New Year celebrations. In a pivotal spread that shows Zhao Di sitting with her dog and chickens, readers are granted an interior view of the architecture and layout of a rustic farmhouse. In addition, the villagers’ various clothing styles, headdresses, and skin tones suggest the region’s diverse ethnicities and socio-economic landscapes. As the story concludes with the obligatory smashing and burning of the lanterns, Zhao Di comforts herself with the hopeful thought of lighting new lanterns next year.
A charming illustration of childhood memories during the holiday season. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-8)Pub Date: Dec. 7, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5420-2984-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Amazon Crossing Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2021
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience.
The How to Catch A… crew try for Comet.
Having already failed to nab a Halloween witch, the Easter Bunny, a turkey, a leprechaun, the Tooth Fairy, and over a dozen other iconic trophies in previous episodes of this bestselling series, one would think the racially diverse gaggle of children in Elkerton’s moonlit, wintry scenes would be flagging…but no, here they lay out snares ranging from a loop of garland to an igloo baited with reindeer moss to an enticing candy cane maze, all in hopes of snagging one of Santa’s reindeer while he’s busy delivering presents. Infused with pop culture–based Christmas cheer (“Now I’ve already seen the shelf with the elf”), Comet prances past the traps until it’s time to gather up the kids, most of whom look terrified, for a group snapshot with the other reindeer and then climb back into harness: “This was a great stop but a few million to go / Christmas Eve must continue with style!” Though festive, the verse feels trite and unlikely to entice youngsters. A sprinkling of “True Facts About Reindeer” (“They live in the tundra, where they have friends like the arctic bunny”) wrap up this celebration of the predatory spirit. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
These reindeer games are a bit tired but, given the series’ popularity, should have a large, ready-made audience. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: Oct. 4, 2022
ISBN: 9781728276137
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Dec. 12, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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