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THE TALE OF THE MANDARIN DUCK

Name: THE TALE OF THE MANDARIN DUCK
Author: Bette Midler
ISBN: 978-0-593-17676-4

A MODERN FABLE

by Bette Midler ; photographed by Michiko Kakutani ; illustrated by Joana Avillez ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 16, 2021

A celebration of beauty—in a city, in its people, and in an extraordinary avian visitor.

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In 2018, New Yorkers had an all-too-brief but oh-so-passionate love affair with a rara avis (literally).

In the fall of 2018, a mandarin duck was spotted in New York City’s Central Park. Native to East Asia, the duck was an ornithological surprise that immediately captivated urban dwellers. People flocked to the park to take photos on their cellphones. In this retelling of the incident, a girl of color stands up on a rock and proclaims that she will gaze upon the beautiful bird directly “with [her] own two eyes.” Her words catch on, and soon everyone follows suit. Some months later the bird disappears, but lingering on is an appreciation of beauty all around that can be viewed directly, not through a device. Midler has crafted a loving ode to the people of New York, to the errant bird, and to the art of direct communication, something at which the star of stage and screen excels. Stunning full-page color photographs present the duck in all its magnificently colored feathered panoply. Grayscale sketches that fill many pages present a dizzying array of city folk in all their robust diversity. Adults and children wistfully remembering a socially close NYC will appreciate this moment from a past time. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 42.5% of actual size.)

A celebration of beauty—in a city, in its people, and in an extraordinary avian visitor. (photographer’s note) (Picture book. 4-10)

Pub Date: Feb. 16, 2021

ISBN: 978-0-593-17676-4

Page Count: 40

Publisher: Random House

Review Posted Online: Nov. 17, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2020

Categories:

CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

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WHY A DAUGHTER NEEDS A MOM

by Gregory R. Lange ; illustrated by Sydney Hanson ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 2019

New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.

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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

Categories:

CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS

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THE COOL BEAN MAKES A SPLASH

From the I Can Read! series

by Jory John ; illustrated by Pete Oswald ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 26, 2024

Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.

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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)