Though joyful, this celebration of the American family is regrettably nostalgic.
Poet Laureate of West Virginia Harshman’s anthem to extended families is a mellow catalog of togetherness.
As the whole family converges on the old homestead in the country, a whirlwind of activity ensues: Great-Grandpa tells stories around the campfire, children frolic at the swimming hole, and everyone piles into the rowboat. The one-word imperatives that conclude each disappointingly nonlyrical, four-line stanza can be stealthily employed to encourage audience participation—count; sing; clap. "When it is time for breakfast / and the grown-ups are ready, / Aunt Jayne says / WASH." The quietly subdued narration is offset by Palacios’ dynamic pen-and-ink–and-digital illustrations. Palacios’ attention to detail draws readers’ eyes to everyone from the cherubic baby to the shaggy dog. Frogs are popeyed, and birds are comically interested in the organized chaos of the daily outings. There’s a shimmering quality to these late-summer images, from the russet-haired kids in sleeping bags on the floor to the panicked scramble through meadow grass from angry bees. However, the too-familiar European-American, middle-class family featured in the story lacks diversity of any kind. A single parent, a disabled child, or a multiracial or same-sex couple would have added authenticity to the portrayal of today’s American family and would have positively contributed to the national discourse on inclusiveness.
Though joyful, this celebration of the American family is regrettably nostalgic. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Feb. 8, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-8028-5388-2
Page Count: 34
Publisher: Eerdmans
Review Posted Online: Dec. 7, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2015
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
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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