A few flaws aside, a bright tribute to the contributions and cultures of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
An alphabetized celebration of Asian Americans.
Written in verse accompanied by detailed historical notes, the book opens by explaining that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have long been crucial parts of U.S. history. Images of Chinese railway workers on the following spread are evidence of that statement. Instead of dedicating each letter to a different individual, Loh-Hagan explores broader concepts, with Bishop’s illustrations filling out the details. For instance, on the page with the words “D is for Dishes,” we see images of noodles, spam musubi, dumplings, and Korean barbecue. “I is for International Travel” notes that many families fly overseas to visit relatives. There are several nods to activism: “M is for Movements” highlights Philip Vera Cruz and Grace Lee Boggs, while “P is for Pioneers” spotlights Dalip Singh Saund, the first Indian American to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and athletes Sunisa Lee and Victoria Manalo Draves. Bishop’s warm palette fills every page with soft lines and shapes, bringing to life charming portrayals of the subjects set against attractive backgrounds. While Queen Lili‘uokalani of Hawai‘i and a few people of Southeast Asian and South Asian descent are featured, most entries focus on East Asians. There are a few stretches with “X Marks the Martial Arts Move” and “Y is for Yahoo and YouTube.” Still, overall, this is a strong and compelling overview. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A few flaws aside, a bright tribute to the contributions and cultures of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. (author’s note, timeline, glossary, activity guide, resources) (Informational picture book. 5-9)Pub Date: Aug. 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-53411-137-0
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Review Posted Online: Aug. 16, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A good-enough introduction to a contested festivity but one that’s not in step with the community it’s for.
An overview of the modern African-American holiday.
This book arrives at a time when black people in the United States have had intraracial—some serious, some snarky—conversations about Kwanzaa’s relevance nowadays, from its patchwork inspiration that flattens the cultural diversity of the African continent to a single festive story to, relatedly, the earnest blacker-than-thou pretentiousness surrounding it. Both the author and consultant Keith A. Mayes take great pains—and in painfully simplistic language—to provide a context that attempts to refute the internal arguments as much as it informs its intended audience. In fact, Mayes says in the endnotes that young people are Kwanzaa’s “largest audience and most important constituents” and further extends an invitation to all races and ages to join the winter celebration. However, his “young people represent the future” counterpoint—and the book itself—really responds to an echo of an argument, as black communities have moved the conversation out to listen to African communities who critique the holiday’s loose “African-ness” and deep American-ness and moved on to commemorate holidays that have a more historical base in black people’s experiences in the United States, such as Juneteenth. In this context, the explications of Kwanzaa’s principles and symbols and the smattering of accompanying activities feel out of touch.
A good-enough introduction to a contested festivity but one that’s not in step with the community it’s for. (resources, bibliography, glossary, afterword) (Nonfiction. 5-8)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4263-2849-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: National Geographic Kids
Review Posted Online: Oct. 27, 2017
A pleasingly lucid look at a complicated relationship, it should prove revelatory to an audience unaccustomed to such nuance.
Though John Adams and Thomas Jefferson “...were as different as pickles and ice cream,” they were able to work together to fight for America’s independence—for a while.
In the late 1770s, they developed conflicting ideas about government and aligned with opposing political parties. When John Adams was elected as the second U.S. president, Jefferson was elected vice president. This exacerbated their rocky relationship, and when Jefferson was ultimately elected president over Adams, their friendship ended. Over a decade would pass before they spoke again. The team that created George Did It (2005) now brings to light both the trials and tribulations of these two notable leaders and the turbulence of early American politics. Energetic watercolor-and-pencil drawings accurately represent the late 18th century, showing the dress, style and architecture of the period. Feisty narration paired with amusing illustrations makes light of sticky situations, as when Jefferson physically restrains an angry Adams from assaulting King George and Adams moves himself out of the White House in the dead of night. Although quotations are not specifically sourced, the selected bibliography reveals a wealth of research, including several primary sources.
Pub Date: Dec. 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-525-47903-1
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Dutton
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2011
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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