A valuable and thorough resource.
A collection of 25 lullabies and nursery rhymes from countries and island nations in southeastern Africa is captured on CD and in print.
The book is more of a companion guide to the audio renditions of the songs than a stand-alone read. The first part simply introduces the songs’ titles in the language of origin, the country or countries from which they hail, and, in English, a dominant verse or chorus from the song. These spreads are illustrated with scenes reflecting the song’s themes, using bold primary colors as well as white, black, and green. On these pages, brown-skinned people dance, swim, cuddle babies, work, play, and sleep, while stylized animals, countryside, and plant life adorn other spreads. A second section of the book, with white text set against a rich blue background, explains the unique history and cultures of the region of the world stretching from Kenya to South Africa and including the so-called Vanilla Islands. A final section, on yellow paper, offers detailed background on each song in the collection and includes more of the lyrics in the original languages alongside English translations. Readers are sure to learn new facts about this part of the world while appreciating its mix of global cultures. The book is beautifully produced on thick, matte paper, and the diversity of musical styles produced is impressive.
A valuable and thorough resource. (Picture book/music. 2-7)Pub Date: Oct. 1, 2021
ISBN: 978-2-925108-70-2
Page Count: 80
Publisher: The Secret Mountain
Review Posted Online: June 28, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2021
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Brontorina is a rotund, orange Apatosaurus who dreams of being a ballerina, so she presents herself at Madame Lucille’s Dance Academy: “[I]n my heart I am a ballerina.” Despite Brontorina’s size and lack of ballet shoes, Madame Lucille decides to teach her along with the other, human students. As practice begins, Madame’s main directive to Brontorina is, “Please try not to squash the other dancers.” Here’s where Cecil's spare oil artwork illuminates, in creamy hues, the relatively diminutive children dancing with the enormous Brontorina as she pliés and twirls, wreaking havoc. It soon becomes evident that lessons at the studio are, at the very least, difficult. Brontorina, spilling giant tears, resigns herself to leaving. But there is a big surprise in store, and Madame Lucille gets a fresh perspective. The frankly funny illustrations complement Howe’s understated text, resulting in a sweet, frothy story, complete with tutus and arabesques, for the little (and big) dreamer in everyone, lightheartedly demonstrating that the sky’s the limit, so think big! (Picture book. 2-7)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4437-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: June 14, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2010
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