An important, affirming conversation starter about respecting—and celebrating—diverse bodies.
“All bodies are good— / that’s important to know. / And yours is good too, / however you grow!”
This theme carries throughout this rhyming picture book that shows off people’s bodies in all their forms. Depicted are people who use prosthetics or wheelchairs, who have different skin tones (people with vitiligo are included, too), who wear head scarves, who use cochlear implants, who have tattoos and surgical scars (possibly indicating gender-affirmation surgery), and more. The book ends with a note to parents, caregivers, and teachers about the importance of talking about how people’s bodies look and function differently and sample questions from children (e.g., “Why is that man fat?”) and neutral, body-positive answers. This book definitely practices what it preaches. O’Callaghan’s illustrations represent body diversity and include people of various skin tones, shapes, sizes, and abilities. With warm colors and varied settings, the art is inviting and engaging. Kennen’s text offers no judgment, just simple descriptions with the mantra that “all bodies are good.” There is even additional discussion about people making some choices about how their bodies look (letting skin show, getting tattoos, wearing a wig). (This book was reviewed digitally.)
An important, affirming conversation starter about respecting—and celebrating—diverse bodies. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: July 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-53411-141-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022
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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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
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