A creative and unique way to explore poetry and emotions with young children.
A children’s book of poems about feelings.
Austin explores emotions through animals in this picture book of poetry for young readers, pairing each feeling with an animal that embodies its essence. Readers meet the Butterfly of Joy as she “lands on the cosmos / flower, for just / a moment / spreading her wings.” The Mosquito of Worry brings “so many fears / I can’t slap away,” while the Goldfish of Boredom “bumps against his bowl / starved for something different.” An Octopus of Curiosity sifts through jewels in a sunken treasure box, “navigating through mazes, remembering solutions, and filling / gaps in knowledge until she knows a lot.” A dog with its tail between its legs is associated with disappointment, while an industrious spider feels satisfaction upon completing her web. Watch out for the Fox of Jealousy, who “stalks and creeps / unbidden / unwanted”; the Wolf of Fear, who “prowls for his prey, / lands in a single leap / in the shadows in your room”; and the Maggot of Disgust that “squirms in its vile pile.” Austin’s poems are short but insightful. Her language is lively and engaging; she describes a trumpet swan that “glides on glassy darkness” and a snail that leaves behind a trail “maybe / of jitters / maybe / of joy.” Some of the animal-emotion pairs are less surprising, like the Turtle of Loneliness, the Bull of Anger, and the Peacock of Pride. Baratta’s illustrations are intricately crafted—her animals look lifelike and soft enough to cuddle. Each painting uses a bold, often primary color scheme in a setting that connects the animal to its corresponding poem. The illustrator also alternates between full-page images and smaller ones that make good use of white space. The poetry text, which perhaps should have been larger in size for easier reading, switches between black and white, depending on the background color.
A creative and unique way to explore poetry and emotions with young children.Pub Date: Nov. 14, 2023
ISBN: 9798987478035
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Susan Schadt Press
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2024
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
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
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.
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)Pub Date: March 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780063329560
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
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