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FRIZZY HAIRED ZUZU

Name: FRIZZY HAIRED ZUZU
Author: Medeia Sharif
ISBN: 9781433841576

by Medeia Sharif ; illustrated by Basma Hosam ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 3, 2023

A brief but joyful story of a girl coming to terms with her unique hair.

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Zuzu dislikes her voluminous, frizzy red hair.

In a quest to help Zuzu get rid of her curls, her cousin, sister, and mother all attempt various methods that only exacerbate the situation. Ultimately, she decides to spend the money she’s saved from her allowance and her birthday on a trip to the salon, where her hair is straightened. This transformation leaves her feeling unlike herself, however, and she finds herself annoyed when her friends compliment her new look. As Zuzu goes home, it begins to rain, and, knowing what happens when her hair becomes wet, she starts to dance rather than running inside. Her hair is big and curly once more, and Zuzu is thrilled. The book’s beautiful, sometimes whimsical cartoon illustrations skillfully depict the unsuccessful endeavors to reduce Zuzu’s hair volume and capture her emotions in response. The tale offers an important message—that kids should love and accept themselves wholeheartedly—but Zuzu’s shift in perspective feels abrupt, and it isn’t clear why she’s suddenly learned to embrace her locks. Street signs in Arabic are interspersed throughout, many women are depicted wearing headscarves, and in an author’s note, Sharif states that she drew inspiration from her Iraqi Kurdish mother’s childhood.

A brief but joyful story of a girl coming to terms with her unique hair. (Picture book. 4-8)

Pub Date: Oct. 3, 2023

ISBN: 9781433841576

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Magination/American Psychological Association

Review Posted Online: Sept. 9, 2023

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2023

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
REMEMBERING MOM'S KUBBAT HALAB
by Medeia Sharif ; illustrated by Paran Kim

- BOOK REVIEW
BESTEST. RAMADAN. EVER.
by Medeia Sharif

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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THE COOL BEAN MAKES A SPLASH

From the I Can Read! series

by Jory John ; illustrated by Pete Oswald ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 26, 2024

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.

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The cool beans again step up to do a timorous fellow legume a fava…this time at the pool.

Will a rash decision to tackle the multistory super-slide lead to another embarrassing watery fail for our shy protagonist? Nope, for up the stairs right behind comes a trio of cool beans, each a different type and color, all clad in nothing but dark shades. They make an offer: “It’s not as scary if you go with friends!” As the knobby nerd explains once the thrilling ride down is done, “They all realized that I just needed some encouragement and support.” Just to make sure that both cool and uncool readers get the message, the narrator lets us know that “there are plenty of kind folks who have my back. They’re always there when I need them.” The beany bonhomie doesn’t end at the bottom of the slide, with all gliding down to the shallow end of the pool (“3 INCHES. NO DIVING”) for a splashy finale. This latest early reader starring characters from John and Oswald’s immensely popular Food Group series will be a hit with fans. Fun accessories, such as a bean who rocks pink cat-eye frames, add some pizzazz to the chromatically and somatotypically varied cast.

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind. (Easy reader. 5-7)