Readers struggling to express themselves will feel seen and comforted.
A sensitive picture book that explores the weight of depression.
The young protagonist wakes up with an elephant on their chest. Introducing herself as Blue, the prodigious pachyderm settles in on the protagonist’s back and chest, making it difficult for them to walk, breathe, or talk. Their well-meaning family members’ suggestions seem out of reach. After all, how can you cheer up if there’s an elephant sitting on you? Their parents read library books about elephants and consult specialists, but Blue stays put, and it’s plain to see that the elephant is profoundly unhappy. Dad suggests some fresh air, so Blue gets off the narrator and they walk around the block. After a family outing to the park, the protagonist rests with Blue in the grass; they feel lighter and notice Blue is experiencing positive changes, too. Blue, an embodiment of raw emotion, is illustrated with rich hues, her coloration as fluid as our feelings. Conversely, the world and characters around her are much more structured, their style evoking colored pencil and watercolors. Describing depression is difficult for everyone, so offering concrete vocabulary at a young age is critical, and this text does it well. While not every case of feeling blue can be so easily remedied, the hope conveyed with this picture book cannot be denied. The protagonist and their family are tan-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Readers struggling to express themselves will feel seen and comforted. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 11, 2023
ISBN: 9781947888418
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Flyaway Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 24, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share.
In this latest in the series, Little Blue Truck, driven by pal Toad, is challenged to a countryside race by Racer Red, a sleek, low-slung vehicle.
Blue agrees, and the race is on. Although the two start off “hood to hood / and wheel to wheel,” they switch positions often as they speed their way over dusty country roads. Blue’s farm friends follow along to share in the excitement and shout out encouragement; adult readers will have fun voicing the various animal sounds. Short rhyming verses on each page and several strategic page turns add drama to the narrative, but soft, mottled effects in the otherwise colorful illustrations keep the competition from becoming too intense. Racer Red crosses the finish line first, but Blue is a gracious loser, happy to have worked hard. That’s a new concept for Racer Red, who’s laser-focused on victory but takes Blue’s words (“win or lose, it’s fun to try!”) to heart—a revelation that may lead to worthwhile storytime discussions. When Blue’s farm animal friends hop into the truck for the ride home, Racer Red tags along and learns a second lesson, one about speed. “Fast is fun, / and slow is too, / as long as you’re / with friends.”
A friendship tale with solid messaging and plenty of fun sounds to share. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: March 25, 2025
ISBN: 9780063387843
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Clarion/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Jan. 18, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A sweet notion that falls flat.
A hit song reimagined as a book about parental love.
Featured in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn—Part 1, Perri’s “A Thousand Years” deals with the speaker’s fear of romantic love. In picture-book form, it explores a parent’s unwavering love for a child, who grows from an infant into a toddler over the course of the narrative. The caregiver expresses awe when the youngster learns to stand and fear that the child might fall while beginning to walk. “I have spent every day waiting for you,” the parent says. “Darling, don’t be afraid.” What the child might fear isn’t clear from the joyful balloon- and rainbow-filled illustrations. The story borders on cloying, and words that might work when sung and accompanied by music don’t sound fresh on the page: “Time goes by. / You grow ever stronger as you fly.” The refrain, however, is a lovely sentiment: “I have loved you for a thousand years. / I’ll love you for a thousand more.” Perri’s legion of fans may flock to this version, illustrated by Ruiz with sparkling stars, bubbles, and big-eyed toddlers, but it doesn’t hold together as a narrative or an ode, as it’s billed, and it’s a long way from the original song. The child is tan-skinned, the parent is lighter-skinned, and other characters are diverse.
A sweet notion that falls flat. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 1, 2025
ISBN: 9780593622599
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
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