A dynamic adventure tale, based on a true story, told in evocative images and prose.
In this picture book, a young girl realizes her desire for seafaring escapades.
“One night, as the silver moon shone bright, / I dreamed I was on a BIG adventure in a tiny boat.” In Conrad’s lovely work, based on her memoir, Inside: One Woman’s Journey Through the Inside Passage (2016), the dream of a little White girl named Suz comes true when she grows up. She acquires a rainbow-colored kayak named Kami and embarks on a 1,200-mile ocean voyage from Northern Washington state to Southern Alaska through the famous coastal “water trail” called the Inside Passage. The tale’s first-person narrative is alive with Suz’s determination, excitement, serious preparation, and appreciation for the wildlife she observes on land and in the sea. She sees beautiful and rugged scenery as she navigates busy ocean lanes, including “steep-walled fjords, just a sliver on the sea”; passes through a rainforest; and camps onshore. Suz faces challenges but relies on her skill and reliable Kami to bring her safely to her destination. Conrad’s light touch with her narration is well matched by Rothman’s graceful, full-color illustrations, ensuring readers’ engagement in the young kayaker’s sense of wonder and discovery. The book also includes information about Conrad and Rothman, “Fun Facts” that expand on elements in the text, lively commentary from the author about her real-life Inside Passage journey, and an inspirational “whatever makes your heart zing—do that” message.
A dynamic adventure tale, based on a true story, told in evocative images and prose.Pub Date: Oct. 21, 2021
ISBN: 978-1736590607
Page Count: 46
Publisher: Driftwood Publishing
Review Posted Online: Nov. 22, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
PERSPECTIVES
Colorful, upbeat, and just for Swifties.
What is being a Swiftie all about? Finding joy in the things you love!
For Taylor Swift and her fans, love comes from baking tasty desserts, snuggling with pets, enjoying fireworks with friends, and attending concerts. Vibrant illustrations that evoke bright pop music are scattered with references to Taylor’s life, such as a red sports jersey (a nod to her high-profile relationship with a certain Kansas City Chiefs tight end) or a stack of friendship bracelets (which devotees know are commonly made by hand and traded at Swift’s concerts). Without this prior knowledge of Swift lore, this peppy picture book may feel like a somewhat superficial, though positive, list of ways to find happiness; some readers may wish the author had included messages about acceptance and self-love, commonly found in Swift’s lyrics. Still, the intended audience will welcome it as a joyful love letter to her fans. Pops of color splash across scenes of Taylor and a racially diverse set of friends doing their favorite things atop a stark white background. The star’s recognizable fashion style and facial features are spot-on, while most other featured characters feel more generic.
Colorful, upbeat, and just for Swifties. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: Jan. 14, 2025
ISBN: 9781665973519
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Review Posted Online: Oct. 25, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2024
Blandly inspirational fare made to evoke equally shrink-wrapped responses.
An NBA star pays tribute to the influence of his grandfather.
In the same vein as his Long Shot (2009), illustrated by Frank Morrison, this latest from Paul prioritizes values and character: “My granddad Papa Chilly had dreams that came true,” he writes, “so maybe if I listen and watch him, / mine will too.” So it is that the wide-eyed Black child in the simply drawn illustrations rises early to get to the playground hoops before anyone else, watches his elder working hard and respecting others, hears him cheering along with the rest of the family from the stands during games, and recalls in a prose afterword that his grandfather wasn’t one to lecture but taught by example. Paul mentions in both the text and the backmatter that Papa Chilly was the first African American to own a service station in North Carolina (his presumed dream) but not that he was killed in a robbery, which has the effect of keeping the overall tone positive and the instructional content one-dimensional. Figures in the pictures are mostly dark-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Blandly inspirational fare made to evoke equally shrink-wrapped responses. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-81003-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
