This sweet story of family abounds with food, flowers, and quality time with loved ones.
In this picture book, a Jewish child and his Zayde enjoy their last year as neighbors before the man has to move to a smaller home.
It’s hard work keeping up a yard when you get to be Zayde’s age, even if you love gardening. But when light-skinned, golden-haired Ben takes the hand of his mustached great-grandpa and asks him to stay in his big house until the blueberries grow, Zayde promises he will. When the juicy berries are dripping down their chins and Zayde’s toes are in the grass, Ben asks him to stay until the grapes are ripe. And when the grapes are ripe, the boy extends his request until the snow falls. Facial expressions and dialogue skillfully convey Zayde’s own reluctance to move on. He knows a new phase is approaching and gives himself and Ben time to adjust to an inevitable change. Cold is hard on older bones in a large house, but Zayde stays until spring, when the family gathers for a seder. Finally, Zayde must sell his house and relocate to a new space (“It’s like a hotel”), where Ben brings him blueberries that they still enjoy together. Kam’s engaging tale gently emphasizes the limited time that Ben and Zayde have with each other. Walker’s digital paintings in warm tones with ample textures deftly depict identifiable plants and foods and give a sense of Zayde’s aesthetic preferences and personality.
This sweet story of family abounds with food, flowers, and quality time with loved ones.Pub Date: April 1, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-73655-733-4
Page Count: 24
Publisher: PJ Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
PERSPECTIVES
Being kind and helpful lights up the day from within in this inspiring and idyllic slice-of-life tale.
Actor, social media star, and entrepreneur Brown pens a joyful paean to positive thinking in her children’s debut.
Brown-skinned Tab rides a strawberry-themed bike, accompanied by a curly-haired black dog, Grady. Tab’s dazzling smile and wide eyes signal the upbeat theme echoed in the text, celebrating the sun’s warmth, which “fills everyone up with joy.” But Tab’s mood shifts, as it’s a “cloudy and gray” June day. Alert readers will spot the dog’s smiling countenance and note glimpses of sunny yellow butterflies and flowers. Mama’s reassurance that there’s “always a chance” for sunshine also underscores the optimism. Tab and Grady bike through suburban streets “to find the sun.” Along the way, the two stop to assist a neighbor building a birdhouse, loft a kite for friends Frankie and Fonte, and lend a hand to others, all while still having fun. Mama steers Tab toward an eventual understanding of the real source of joy: Though the sun didn’t appear, “I brightened everyone’s day!” The illustrations subtly underscore the message of this radiant story as touches of gold lighten the palette, which ends with sunny brilliance. Most characters read Black, though Tab’s community includes people who vary in skin tone, body type, and ability.
Being kind and helpful lights up the day from within in this inspiring and idyllic slice-of-life tale. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 11, 2025
ISBN: 9780063342262
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: yesterday
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2025
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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