Poetic text and evocative images infused with love and warmth welcome a new baby.
In dreamy poetry and paintings, this gentle book is a lyrical and loving tribute to an unborn child as she waits to be introduced to the world.
A baby, “floating cozily in her mother’s womb,” hears the “thump-thump” of her mother’s heart, feels the calm safety of floating, and kicks “the edge of her world.” Accompanying this soothing text are images of a baby floating in a wash of colors, surrounded by peaceful but surreal imagery: some flamingos in the distance, a deep blue whale underwater, or the babe herself encased in a translucent chrysalis or seedpod. “Inside this beautiful world she is a vast universe, a small sprouting seed.” But then, something starts happening! The currents lift her toward something exciting, and now there are new noises, new feelings, and new colors. Out in the world, the baby’s outlines gain definition; she cries out and then takes a breath. Finally baby is united with mother on the page and welcomed into the world. “For she is born.” It’s undeniably a lovely book but perhaps more suited for mothers-to-be and new mothers than actual children. Its loving intent is clear, but it carries neither the informational heft of such books as Miranda Paul and Jason Chin’s Nine Months (2019) nor a new-sibling narrative for expectant older sibs.
(This book releases first as a digital edition, with print release currently scheduled for Aug. 4, 2020.)
Poetic text and evocative images infused with love and warmth welcome a new baby. (Picture book. 2-4, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-77306-169-6
Page Count: 24
Publisher: Groundwood
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
Parents of toddlers starting school or day care should seek separation-anxiety remedies elsewhere, and fans of the original...
A sweetened, condensed version of the best-selling picture book, The Kissing Hand.
As in the original, Chester Raccoon is nervous about attending Owl’s night school (raccoons are nocturnal). His mom kisses him on the paw and reminds him, “With a Kissing Hand… / We’ll never be apart.” The text boils the story down to its key elements, causing this version to feel rushed. Gone is the list of fun things Chester will get to do at school. Fans of the original may be disappointed that this board edition uses a different illustrator. Gibson’s work is equally sentimental, but her renderings are stiff and flat in comparison to the watercolors of Harper and Leak. Very young readers will probably not understand that Owl’s tree, filled with opossums, a squirrel, a chipmunk and others, is supposed to be a school.
Parents of toddlers starting school or day care should seek separation-anxiety remedies elsewhere, and fans of the original shouldn’t look to this version as replacement for their page-worn copies. (Board book. 2-4)Pub Date: April 1, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-933718-77-4
Page Count: 14
Publisher: Tanglewood Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 18, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2014
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Treacle drips from every page. Find self-esteem elsewhere.
The voice of an omniscient narrator, who may or may not be a caregiver, speaks directly to an unhappy child with an invitation to a very special place.
The child follows directions to the beautiful title isle “just across the bay.” Ferried across by a toy elephant in a sailboat, the child is given an enthusiastic welcome by more adorable animals and some other children. The little one swims in a waterfall, rides a giant eagle, relaxes in a hammock, and happily engages with some of the other children. Several of the activities are stereotypically girl-associated, and the other children appear to be girls with varying skin tones and hair textures; the little protagonist has light skin and a brown pageboy and is only suggested as female. After elaborate entertainments and a sweet feast, the child is assured that “someone loves you very, very, very much” before being borne safely home. Deep purple, bright pastel pink, and yellow watercolors dominate the color palette, creating a magical, otherworldly atmosphere. But it is also somewhat creepy as well. The Isle of You exists only for the protagonist’s happiness, even the other children there, who appear to have no existence in the real world. Apparently intended to build self-esteem and comfort, it seems to encourage self-centeredness instead, as does the ending play on the pronunciation of the title words.
Treacle drips from every page. Find self-esteem elsewhere. (Picture book. 2-4)Pub Date: Dec. 11, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-7636-9116-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Sept. 16, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2018
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