A celebration of the complexity and care that go into making this Japanese staple.
Get ready for ramen, handmade to order and delightful to devour!
Hiro, a Japanese boy with beige skin and straight, dark hair, loves ramen. Every Sunday night, his father makes this flavorful noodle dish using a process he learned from his father in Hawaii. Hiro carefully observes how his dad gathers ingredients and vigorously stirs, chops, slices, stews, shreds, and more—creating the perfect broth and nice, springy noodles. When Hiro turns 7, he decides to try to make ramen just like his dad does, using his notes and his memory. However, things don’t turn out as planned, and Hiro is devastated. At last, the boy finds his own talent for creating unique bowls that perfectly suit his family’s tastes. Pate’s spirited, manga-esque illustrations feature diagonal panels and dynamic text (accompanied by near-flawless Japanese translations) rendered in a vibrant palette of eye-catching yellows, blues, greens, and oranges. Tanumihardja’s simple yet evocative prose draws readers into the drama and tension of the ramen making and brings to life Hiro’s loving, understanding family; this is a rich depiction of a Japanese child offering a modern take on a traditional dish. Backmatter includes background on the dish, rules for cooking in the kitchen with young chefs, and a recipe for easy miso ramen. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A celebration of the complexity and care that go into making this Japanese staple. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 14, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-66590-435-3
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
BOOK REVIEW
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
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
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