A loving tribute to an iconic figure.
The longest-reigning British monarch ever still reigns.
This entry in the Little People, Big Dreams series personalizes the late Elizabeth II, as it introduces her when she was a child herself—though, as a princess and granddaughter of a king, Lilibet wasn’t quite a typical child. She was somewhat ordinary, however: She loved horses and dogs and aspired to live on a farm. At age 10, her life became even more extraordinary: Her uncle “[gave] up the crown,” her father suddenly became king, her family moved to Buckingham Palace—and, having “left her old life behind,” Elizabeth became heiress to the British monarchy and learned, from then on, how to be the next ruler and to live a life of service to her people. She trained as a mechanic and driver during World War II, married dashing Prince Philip, and, several years later, ascended the throne upon her father’s death. During her historic seven-decade reign, Queen Elizabeth accomplished much, including signing “a law that gave girls the same right as boys to inherit the throne.” Though this book went to press before the queen’s passing, future printings will acknowledge her death. The clear text is accessible to young readers and helps convey, in simple terms, how special Elizabeth was. Charming, colorful, appealing illustrations make the queen real and immediate for youngsters; Elizabeth’s beloved corgis are captivatingly featured throughout. Numerous background characters are diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A loving tribute to an iconic figure. (biographical information with photos) (Picture-book biography. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 27, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-7112-7450-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Lincoln Children's Books
Review Posted Online: Oct. 11, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2022
A supplemental rather than introductory book on the great artist.
Frida Kahlo’s strong affection for and identification with animals form the lens through which readers view her life and work in this picture-book biography.
Each two-page spread introduces one or more of her pets, comparing her characteristics to theirs and adding biographical details. Confusingly for young readers, the beginning pages reference pets she owned as an adult, yet the illustrations and events referred to come from earlier in her life. Bonito the parrot perches in a tree overlooking young Frida and her family in her childhood home and pops up again later, just before the first mention of Diego Rivera. Granizo, the fawn, another pet from her adult years, is pictured beside a young Frida and her father along with a description of “her life as a little girl.” The author’s note adds important details about Kahlo’s life and her significance as an artist, as well as recommending specific paintings that feature her beloved animals. Expressive acrylic paintings expertly evoke Kahlo’s style and color palette. While young animal lovers will identify with her attachment to her pets and may enjoy learning about the Aztec origins of her Xolo dogs and the meaning of turkeys in ancient Mexico, the book may be of most interest to those who already have an interest in Kahlo’s life.
A supplemental rather than introductory book on the great artist. (Picture book/biography. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-7358-4269-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: NorthSouth
Review Posted Online: June 18, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2017
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A unique angle on a watershed moment in the civil rights era.
The New Orleans school child who famously broke the color line in 1960 while surrounded by federal marshals describes the early days of her experience from a 6-year-old’s perspective.
Bridges told her tale to younger children in 2009’s Ruby Bridges Goes to School, but here the sensibility is more personal, and the sometimes-shocking historical photos have been replaced by uplifting painted scenes. “I didn’t find out what being ‘the first’ really meant until the day I arrived at this new school,” she writes. Unfrightened by the crowd of “screaming white people” that greets her at the school’s door (she thinks it’s like Mardi Gras) but surprised to find herself the only child in her classroom, and even the entire building, she gradually realizes the significance of her act as (in Smith’s illustration) she compares a small personal photo to the all-White class photos posted on a bulletin board and sees the difference. As she reflects on her new understanding, symbolic scenes first depict other dark-skinned children marching into classes in her wake to friendly greetings from lighter-skinned classmates (“School is just school,” she sensibly concludes, “and kids are just kids”) and finally an image of the bright-eyed icon posed next to a soaring bridge of reconciliation. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A unique angle on a watershed moment in the civil rights era. (author and illustrator notes, glossary) (Autobiographical picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: Sept. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-338-75388-2
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: June 21, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2022
PERSPECTIVES
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
