A delightful winding-down story after a busy day at the beach—or anywhere.
The newest collaboration by sisters Kvasnosky and McGee takes readers on an evening stroll to the beach and a dive underwater in the nighttime ocean.
The sun sinks toward a distant horizon while a racially diverse group of family and friends sings along at a seaside picnic. Young and old enjoy the music, and a child sits and listens in mother’s lap “as they rock to ocean sounds.” The sun begins to set, and the mother’s words echo the lapping of the waves as she sings a lullaby. “Shhh hush. Shhh hush. We can sing along.” Below the waves and under the darkening water, Kvasnosky’s lulling verse continues, “the big whales doze,” and “turtles float and shut their eyes.” Floating peacefully, “dolphins drift and mantas glide / through the rocking, rolling tide.” Twilight turns tide pools golden. The encroaching nightfall slows everything down, and baby falls asleep on mother’s shoulder. “You, my sweet, my sleepy child, / rest here in my arms awhile. / As the new moon rides the sky, / dream the ocean lullaby.” With the crescent moon (not, some will quibble, a new moon) and stars overhead and the waves kissing the beach, she sings to her child. (Both present White.) Soft and rich pastels are emboldened with black outlines, creating a pleasing graphic background for this peaceful, sleepytime poem. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-19-inch double-page spreads viewed at 42.1% of actual size.)
A delightful winding-down story after a busy day at the beach—or anywhere. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-593-11801-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Philomel
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2021
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
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
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