Tender and thought-provoking.
An artist hopes to paint the picture of his dreams.
Vincent is struggling. He paints and paints, but his work is derided. He needs sunshine, fresh air, and new friends. His brother, Theo, supports and encourages him, funding a trip to “the sunny South” and providing art supplies. Vincent sets his easel among the apple and peach trees, explores the surrounding countryside, and meets his new neighbors. Painting portraits of Postman Joseph and his family results in blossoming friendships, while an encounter with a farmer planting sunflower seeds will eventually lead to his dream coming true. Theo displays and shares Vincent’s works—including his depiction of the sunflower—with visitors, who aren’t impressed, but one little girl is enthralled. The author never tells young readers that the artist is the very real Vincent van Gogh; the name might not have resonance for them, but adults will realize who he is—and can offer additional context. Language and syntax are remarkable in simplicity and imagery, presenting a warm and compassionate view of this extraordinary talent. Beech’s brilliantly hued, expressive illustrations add dimension and delight, often invoking Van Gogh’s most famous paintings. Text and art are woven together well, appearing in a variety of combinations, from double-page spreads to scattered vignettes. Little readers and their grown-ups will respond to Vincent and Theo’s loving relationship and will admire Vincent’s beautiful art, which may lead to a museum visit. Background characters are diverse.
Tender and thought-provoking. (Picture-book biography. 5-9)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2024
ISBN: 9780500653388
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2024
Blandly inspirational fare made to evoke equally shrink-wrapped responses.
An NBA star pays tribute to the influence of his grandfather.
In the same vein as his Long Shot (2009), illustrated by Frank Morrison, this latest from Paul prioritizes values and character: “My granddad Papa Chilly had dreams that came true,” he writes, “so maybe if I listen and watch him, / mine will too.” So it is that the wide-eyed Black child in the simply drawn illustrations rises early to get to the playground hoops before anyone else, watches his elder working hard and respecting others, hears him cheering along with the rest of the family from the stands during games, and recalls in a prose afterword that his grandfather wasn’t one to lecture but taught by example. Paul mentions in both the text and the backmatter that Papa Chilly was the first African American to own a service station in North Carolina (his presumed dream) but not that he was killed in a robbery, which has the effect of keeping the overall tone positive and the instructional content one-dimensional. Figures in the pictures are mostly dark-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Blandly inspirational fare made to evoke equally shrink-wrapped responses. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-81003-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
A brief but sweet snapshot of an inspiring girl who finds hope in song.
Through the power of music, Lucimarian Tolliver is reminded of what’s important.
Lucy is one of the only children of African descent on her block—called Lucy Street—in 1930s Akron, Ohio, but all her neighbors share one commonality: poverty. Lucy’s carefree spirit is dampened when her family’s furniture is repossessed one day. She visits her grandfather, who comforts her by singing the folk standard “This Little Light of Mine.” Grandpa tells Lucy that she’s destined for greatness and that she should never stop singing, even through life’s toughest moments. Back at home, Lucy’s father scolds her for singing at the dinner table, so she quickly finishes eating and wanders outside and sings into the night. Her voice reaches her family and neighbors, who are all touched by her song. Digital illustrations evoke the time period in muted tones, featuring endearing characters with simple yet expressive features. The visual subject matter is repetitive from page to page, as are the incorporated lyrics of “This Little Light of Mine.” Based on Lucimarian Tolliver’s experiences growing up during the Depression, the text contains an epilogue but lacks backmatter detailing historical context or more information about Lucy’s life. Though the themes of optimism and the importance of family, faith, and music shine through the text, readers may be left with more questions than answers.
A brief but sweet snapshot of an inspiring girl who finds hope in song. (Picture-book biography. 5-7)Pub Date: May 20, 2025
ISBN: 9780063222540
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
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