Wild, yes, but a gentle read, too.
When the narrator and Granddad catsit for the day, things get a little wild.
In this companion title to Free (2021), the unnamed narrator (who presents White) is excited for “taking-care-of-the-cat day” with Granddad (who also appears White). The child excitedly plans to “play with her, feed her, and cuddle her!” Alas, these plans evaporate because, as Granddad explains, “You can’t make a cat do anything it doesn’t want to do.” When they try to cuddle the contrary cat by the fire, she dashes away and escapes out the window. At this point, the story shifts away from (potentially dire) reality as Granddad and grandchild pursue the fleeing feline and end up in a fantastic jungle. They dance with a bevy of animals at “a wild party” complete with a lion and other cats playing instruments—including, of course, a fiddle. The bipedal lions, tigers, and bear in one scene never seem threatening, though a tiger on the cover might lead readers to think it poses a threat in the story. The illustrations strike a balance between cheerily daft (two tigers wearing silly hats boogie happily) and sublime (the narrator swings on a vine past glistening, foaming waterfalls). As in Usher’s other picture books, this one has a generous trim size to invite shared reading, and the watercolor-and-ink illustrations seem to channel Quentin Blake’s style. (And the cat is fine.)
Wild, yes, but a gentle read, too. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Dec. 14, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5362-2000-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Templar/Candlewick
Review Posted Online: Sept. 23, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 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
A tender book to help little ones make sense of the emotions around prayer.
Actor Metz and songwriter Collins join illustrator Fields in their second faith-related title for young children.
Instead of focusing on the language of prayer—what to say or how to say it—this book explores a topic central to the lives of the very young: their feelings around talking to God. Rhymes and near-rhymes in the AABB verses enumerate the simple challenges and triumphs experienced by a series of animals: “Sometimes I’m sad, not sure what to do. / There are days I feel teary, unhappy, or blue. / I fell off a log. I’m embarrassed and hurt. / My coat and paws are all covered in dirt.” An accompanying illustration depicts a sad wolf pup, a definite contrast to its siblings, who are delighting in their play. The highlight of the book is Fields’ animal characters. Whether happy, nervous, or sad, their expressive faces are easy to read, and their feelings will be familiar to young tots. The beaver’s frustration is palpable, and the tears in the scared raccoon’s eyes may just make readers’ own eyes well up. Some of the animals have a God stand-in to help them with their feelings—a friend or family member—but the final spread shows all the individual animals coming together in a couple of group hugs that express where children can find support (and sweetly defy predator–prey relationships).
A tender book to help little ones make sense of the emotions around prayer. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: March 4, 2025
ISBN: 9780593691366
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Flamingo Books
Review Posted Online: Nov. 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
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