A soaring ode to community, tradition, and family.
A Jewish family takes their newest addition to a baby-naming ceremony on her first Shabbat.
Mommy, Mama, and young Zachary walk the new baby to the synagogue, greeting friends. Zachary pushes the carriage as people ask the baby’s name. Zachary’s bursting to tell, but Mommy and Mama remind Zachary that the name won’t be announced until the ceremony. For now, Mama tells Miss Fukumi that they call the baby “Little Babka,” because she’s the size of one—“and just as sweet,” Zachary adds. Mommy tells Mr. Baraka that the girl is called “Shayneh Maideleh.” Zachary says, “That’s a nickname that means beautiful girl.” And Zachary tells Mrs. Santiago that they call the baby “Snuggle Bunny.” Miss Fukumi, Mr. Baraka, and Mrs. Santiago are invited to the ceremony, where the family presents the baby to the female rabbi for the blessings. Zachary finally announces the baby’s name: “Aliza Shira which means ‘joyful song.’” Featuring vibrant colors, cozy details, and exuberantly swooping brushwork, the illustrations pair perfectly with the text, which has a folkloric feel, the family listing three nicknames and offering three invitations. Both words and art brim with warmth; the love and support in this diverse community are palpable. Mama has golden skin and wavy dark hair, Mommy is tan-skinned and has a short Afro, and their children are brown-skinned, with black curly hair.
A soaring ode to community, tradition, and family. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: May 7, 2024
ISBN: 9781646143702
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Levine Querido
Review Posted Online: Feb. 3, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2024
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.
Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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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