A festive tale that teaches valuable lessons of resilience and adaptability.
A young girl celebrates Eid in a new way in a new home.
It’s Eid al-Fitr, and this one is special for Sarah—it’s her family’s first time observing the holiday in their new country since leaving Pakistan. With a small, beautifully embroidered pouch in hand, Sarah asks family members for her money gift, or eidi. Mama gently reminds Sarah to wait to be offered eidi, but Sarah can’t contain her excitement and sweetly plans how she will use the money she collects later at the mosque to buy gifts of her own to give. Her enthusiasm turns to disappointment when her friends and extended family acknowledge her pouch but don’t give her any eidi. Back at home, as she helps prepare food for the guests of their open house, Sarah feels unsure when Mama explains that things are different in their new community. But one by one, guests arrive with gifts in hand—candy, a box of markers, and more. Afzal allows readers to see the world from Sarah’s perspective as the girl finally understands that there isn’t one single way to celebrate Eid. The youngster rides a roller coaster of emotions as she navigates novel situations—a feeling that will resonate with many children, especially those joining a new community. Delsooz’s brightly colored, exuberantly scribbly illustrations imbue this important Muslim holiday with warmth and excitement. An accompanying glossary and author’s note are welcome support.
A festive tale that teaches valuable lessons of resilience and adaptability. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9781771475426
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Review Posted Online: Sept. 28, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 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
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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