A lovingly layered, if oddly paced, ode to a matriarch and the universal language of chess.
Chess becomes a lifelong source of connection in this biography of the author’s grandmother.
Growing up in early-20th-century Vienna, Elsa loves chess, though she encounters many who assume a young girl can’t possibly play the game. The portable chess set she carries everywhere becomes her way of building relationships with others, including her future husband. When World War II breaks out, Elsa and her family, who are Jewish, are forced to flee Europe for the United States. Elsa finds work in a San Francisco dress factory, where playing chess helps her develop friendships that transcend language barriers. Eventually, an elderly Elsa moves in with her daughter and granddaughters. The chess set is lost, and Elsa stops playing. Many years later, her great-grandson finds the small box in the garage. His request for a game reconnects Elsa to her past as she passes on her love of chess to a new generation. Adults will find many opportunities to introduce age-appropriate lessons on topics such as immigration, discrimination, and World War II. The pacing is strained by the chronological progression through Elsa’s long lifespan, resulting in abrupt time hops that leave awkward gaps in her story. Tenderly illustrated vignettes of Elsa’s family life fill some, but not all, of these spaces. The book concludes with an author’s note about her grandmother, accompanied by family photographs.
A lovingly layered, if oddly paced, ode to a matriarch and the universal language of chess. (chess resources) (Picture-book biography. 4-8)Pub Date: April 29, 2025
ISBN: 9780823454082
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Neal Porter/Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Dec. 28, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: yesterday
Lovely illustrations wasted on this misguided project.
The Celebrate the World series spotlights Lunar New Year.
This board book blends expository text and first-person-plural narrative, introducing readers to the holiday. Chau’s distinctive, finely textured watercolor paintings add depth, transitioning smoothly from a grand cityscape to the dining room table, from fantasies of the past to dumplings of the present. The text attempts to provide a broad look at the subject, including other names for the celebration, related cosmology, and historical background, as well as a more-personal discussion of traditions and practices. Yet it’s never clear who the narrator is—while the narrative indicates the existence of some consistent, monolithic group who participates in specific rituals of celebration (“Before the new year celebrations begin, we clean our homes—and ourselves!”), the illustrations depict different people in every image. Indeed, observances of Lunar New Year are as diverse as the people who celebrate it, which neither the text nor the images—all of the people appear to be Asian—fully acknowledges. Also unclear is the book’s intended audience. With large blocks of explication on every spread, it is entirely unappealing for the board-book set, and the format may make it equally unattractive to an older, more appropriate audience. Still, readers may appreciate seeing an important celebration warmly and vibrantly portrayed.
Lovely illustrations wasted on this misguided project. (Board book. 4-8)Pub Date: Dec. 11, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5344-3303-8
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Little Simon/Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Dec. 4, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2019
A supplemental rather than introductory book on the great artist.
Frida Kahlo’s strong affection for and identification with animals form the lens through which readers view her life and work in this picture-book biography.
Each two-page spread introduces one or more of her pets, comparing her characteristics to theirs and adding biographical details. Confusingly for young readers, the beginning pages reference pets she owned as an adult, yet the illustrations and events referred to come from earlier in her life. Bonito the parrot perches in a tree overlooking young Frida and her family in her childhood home and pops up again later, just before the first mention of Diego Rivera. Granizo, the fawn, another pet from her adult years, is pictured beside a young Frida and her father along with a description of “her life as a little girl.” The author’s note adds important details about Kahlo’s life and her significance as an artist, as well as recommending specific paintings that feature her beloved animals. Expressive acrylic paintings expertly evoke Kahlo’s style and color palette. While young animal lovers will identify with her attachment to her pets and may enjoy learning about the Aztec origins of her Xolo dogs and the meaning of turkeys in ancient Mexico, the book may be of most interest to those who already have an interest in Kahlo’s life.
A supplemental rather than introductory book on the great artist. (Picture book/biography. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4269-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: June 18, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
