A shining paean to winter traditions around the globe.
What holidays do people observe in winter?
During a cozy Hanukkah celebration at home, a light-skinned youngster gazes at the lit menorah in the family’s window. The child imagines riding the miraculous beam that it radiates, watching in wonder as the light touches communities across the globe, each celebrating a different light-filled holiday. Luminous illustrations depict diyas for Diwali, kinaras for Kwanzaa, candle wreaths for St. Lucia Day, and krathongs for Loy Krathong. Finally, the light finds “you,” wherever you are and whatever you might celebrate. Returning home, the child realizes that the real holiday miracle is the light that radiates, connecting us all. A glowing ribbon winds through the pages, providing a lovely visualization of the metaphorical light that different traditions all bring to the world. The brief section describing “you” feels less slightly inclusive than the rest of the story. Though the text lists a variety of holidays that “you” might be celebrating, the brown-skinned, long-haired child on these pages is hanging colorful ornaments on what readers are likely to assume is a Christmas tree. The book also doesn’t explicitly acknowledge children who might not celebrate a fall or winter holiday. But the final few pages return to the more inclusive celebration of the collective light that arises from our diversity. A concluding note briefly describes the holidays portrayed. Characters are racially and culturally diverse.
A shining paean to winter traditions around the globe. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 17, 2024
ISBN: 9781772782899
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Pajama Press
Review Posted Online: June 15, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2024
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
Not enough tricks to make this a treat.
Another holiday title (How To Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace, illustrated by Elkerton, 2017) sticks to the popular series’ formula.
Rhyming four-line verses describe seven intrepid trick-or-treaters’ efforts to capture the witch haunting their Halloween. Rhyming roadblocks with toolbox is an acceptable stretch, but too often too many words or syllables in the lines throw off the cadence. Children familiar with earlier titles will recognize the traps set by the costume-clad kids—a pulley and box snare, a “Tunnel of Tricks.” Eventually they accept her invitation to “floss, bump, and boogie,” concluding “the dance party had hit the finale at last, / each dancing monster started to cheer! / There’s no doubt about it, we have to admit: / This witch threw the party of the year!” The kids are diverse, and their costumes are fanciful rather than scary—a unicorn, a dragon, a scarecrow, a red-haired child in a lab coat and bow tie, a wizard, and two space creatures. The monsters, goblins, ghosts, and jack-o'-lanterns, backgrounded by a turquoise and purple night sky, are sufficiently eerie. Still, there isn’t enough originality here to entice any but the most ardent fans of Halloween or the series. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Not enough tricks to make this a treat. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-72821-035-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: May 10, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2022
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