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ME AND DAD

From the Time Together series

Do not spend much time deliberating about this title—pass.

A slide show of snapshots of different children and their fathers spending happy times together.

Catherine’s language consists of brief phrases that always end with the word “time” to describe the series of double-page spreads of dads and children together. Campion’s illustrations appear to be digitally rendered and display an animation-style aesthetic. Beginning with “Favorite song time” and ending with a predictable “Sweet dream time,” a not-very-diverse cast of dad-child pairs plays hide-and-seek, has tea, reads fairy tales, bakes, hugs, talks, builds, rakes leaves, walks the dog and brushes teeth. Of the 14 vignettes presented, only three contain characters that are obviously not Caucasian—there’s one black pair, one Asian pair and one that could possibly be Latino. Although hair color sometimes varies between parent and child, there are no biracial pairs. Some young readers will enjoy recognizing the familiar activities that they experience with their parents, but with no story, the bland renditions of the various activities taking place and the lack of diversity, the overall appeal is low. Companion title Me and Mom is similarly flawed.

Do not spend much time deliberating about this title—pass. (Picture book. 2-5)

Pub Date: March 1, 2014

ISBN: 978-1-4795-2253-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Picture Window Books

Review Posted Online: March 16, 2014

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2014

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HAPPY IN OUR SKIN

The combination of lovingly humorous and detailed mixed-media illustrations and infectious rhymes will cause little ones and...

More than skin deep, this rhyming paean to diversity offers readers an array of families of all colors and orientations, living and loving one another in a vibrant city setting.

A giggling baby is tummy-tickled by her white and black mothers (or white mother and black father—impressively, the illustration leaves room for interpretation) in New York’s Central Park in its summertime glory. "This is how we all begin: / small and happy in our skin." This celebration of skin not only extols the beauty and value of various skin colors, but also teaches the importance of skin as an essential body part: “It keeps the outsides out / and your insides in.” Park, public-pool, and block-party scenes allow readers to luxuriate in a teeming city where children of all colors, abilities, and religions enjoy their families and neighbors. The author and illustrator do not simply take a rote, tokenistic approach to answering the cry for diverse books; the words and pictures depict a much-needed, realistic representation of the statement “it takes a village to raise a child” when a child skins her knee and many rush to her aid and comfort. Though her palette of browns is a little limited, Tobia creates sheer joy with her depictions of everything from unibrows, dimples, and birthmarks to callouts to recognizable literary characters.

The combination of lovingly humorous and detailed mixed-media illustrations and infectious rhymes will cause little ones and their families to pore over this book again and again. (Picture book. 2-5)

Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-7636-7002-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: May 11, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2015

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THE BIGGEST KISS

Although a bit on the slight side, this offering is infused with a warm, light humor just right for cuddling up with a young...

This title previously published in the U.K. takes a cozy look at all kinds of kisses.

Walsh’s rhyming text is full of cutesy rhythms: “Kisses on noses, kisses on toes-es. Sudden kisses when you least supposes.” Sometimes the phrasing stumbles: “Who likes to kiss? I do! I do! Even the shy do. Why not try, too?” But toddlers and young preschoolers will probably not mind. They will be too engaged in spotting the lively penguin on each spread and too charmed by Abbot’s winsome illustrations that fittingly extend the wording in the story. Patient dogs queue up for a smooch from a frog prince, cool blue “ ’normous elephants” contrast strikingly with bright red “little tiny ants” and a bewildered monkey endures a smattering of lipstick kisses. Be the kiss small or tall, one to start or end the day, young readers are reminded that “the very best kiss… / is a kiss from you!” Perhaps no big surprise but comforting nonetheless.

Although a bit on the slight side, this offering is infused with a warm, light humor just right for cuddling up with a young tyke or sharing with a gathering for storytime.     (Picture book. 2-5)

Pub Date: Dec. 20, 2011

ISBN: 978-1-4424-2769-3

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: Nov. 19, 2011

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2011

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