An important and timely narrative of inclusivity and acceptance.
A Muslim child encounters Islamophobia.
Brown-skinned Salma notices that when a news reporter on TV uses the word Muslim, “her eyebrows go down and her mouth frowns.” Gentle, caring Salma wishes that people understood that Islam is a peaceful religion—even the name Salma means peace. When Salma’s best friend is absent one day, the child is mocked by a white-presenting classmate named Luke, though in front of their classmates and teachers, he pretends to be deeply opposed to bullying. Luke’s taunt of “Muzzlim” and his assertion that he knows “all about Muzzlims from TV” prompt Salma to take a stand and reveal all to their teacher. Later, Luke attempts to brush his bullying under the rug, but Salma powerfully rebuffs him, holding him accountable for his actions. Their interaction comes full circle when Luke feels lonely at lunch one day when his best friend is absent, but Salma treats him with empathy and kindness. With soothing colors and rounded shapes, Bushry’s cartoon images pair well with this gentle tale of self-advocacy. Endpapers and spreads include illustrated photos of Salma’s family, showcasing everyday moments of joy. Backmatter includes an author’s note, in which Faruqi discusses how this story is rooted in her response to Donald Trump’s 2017 Muslim ban, an illustrator’s note in which Bushry emphasizes that misinformation can lead to discrimination, and anti-bullying resources.
An important and timely narrative of inclusivity and acceptance. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 7, 2024
ISBN: 9780063206182
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024
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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