A wonderful recognition of land, culture, family, and heritage.
A girl growing up in Hawaii finally experiences snow, but it isn’t what she expected.
Claire’s teacher assigns them to make dioramas about the seasons, and Claire is disappointed to get winter. Claire has lived on the Big Island of Hawaii all her life and has never seen real snow. To give her a taste, Claire’s father takes the family up to Mauna Kea to see snow, but it’s a disappointment. The snow is hard and blocky, like ice; she can’t run around because of the altitude; and the snowman they build is all lumpy. Claire dreams of becoming a snow angel, flying away to a snowy place that is more beautiful and more special than the island. Then the family makes a trip to Hapuna Beach, where her parents share their knowledge of the Native Hawaiian names of the hundred winds and many sea creatures. Claire begins to see the beauty of the place she calls home. Both Yamanaka and Lukashevsky were born and raised in Hawaii, and their affection for it shines in this beautiful homage to the Big Island. Claire embodies the common process of wanting to experience new things and discovering the beauty in your own heritage and homeland. The narration includes Hawaiian names for places, fish, and plants, while the illustrations revel in their vigor and beauty. Claire and her family have brown skin and straight, black hair. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A wonderful recognition of land, culture, family, and heritage. (author's note, glossary, publisher's note) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Jan. 4, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-12737-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Make Me a World
Review Posted Online: Aug. 10, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021
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
Affectionate and affirming.
Today co-anchor Melvin pens an ode to the father-son bond.
A dad lists all the things he admires about his son, including the boy’s willingness to face his fears (such as diving into the swimming pool) and his ability to “make people laugh, / bring joy to folks.” The child shows “kindness and grace” when apologizing for a mistake, and he perseveres in the face of failure (“They can’t all be wins”). The boy has an inquisitive mind (“You ask questions and investigate. / Who knows what you’ll find?”), and he’s a caring big brother who loves building sand castles with his younger sibling. Ultimately, the father salutes his son for the person he is “through good times and bad, / no matter what.” Melvin conveys the joy of watching a child grow into a strong, capable adult while maintaining a sense of childlike wonder. Rather than focusing on traditionally masculine activities or attitudes, he celebrates qualities such as emotional intelligence and a nurturing spirit. While the text on occasion dips into sentimentality, overall Melvin delivers a sound message. Cloud’s digital illustrations depict the family and their diverse community with expressive faces, capturing their myriad emotions and lending the book an exuberant tone. The father presents Black, his partner appears white, and the tan-skinned children are biracial; all are unnamed.
Affectionate and affirming. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: May 7, 2024
ISBN: 9780063206137
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024
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