A well-meaning but uneven exploration of adoption.
Two bears adopt an unusual cub.
One night, “a fine thread descend[s] from a star” and deposits Mama and Papa Bear’s child at 29 Wood Lane. Though initially startled to discover their “cub” is a goldfish, the parents welcome Fin warmly. Other forest dwellers are skeptical (“Since when do two bears adopt a fish?”), though kindly Frog praises Fin’s bubble-blowing skills. At sunrise, the family moves to Lakeside Lane, where they’ll be able to swim with Fin. Finding the bears’ abode empty, the animals troop to Lakeside Lane, and all join Fin for a swim, negative remarks forgotten. The backmatter explains that the story was inspired by Rosita and Giorgio Boniotti, whose adopted son, Davide, has Allan–Herndon–Dudley syndrome; the Boniottis founded Una Vita Rara, an organization dedicated to raising awareness of this rare congenital disease. Scuderi’s lush paintings deftly blend realistic animal depictions and subtle emotional expressions. Sadly, Zanotti’s text, translated from Italian, is somewhat muddled. Though the bears’ acceptance of Fin is stirring, the other animals’ change of heart feels abrupt. The assertions that Fin “[chose] his parents” and “before he was born, he knew they were waiting” may comfort some readers but will alienate others, particularly since the dedication from the Boniottis mentions Davide’s “choice to live in silence in this immobile body.” Those who don’t share the belief that babies choose their lots in life may find the suggestion problematic enough to overshadow the story’s inclusive message.
A well-meaning but uneven exploration of adoption. (publisher’s note, links) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 22, 2025
ISBN: 9781636550923
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Red Comet Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 1, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2025
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
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among
Pete, the cat who couldn’t care less, celebrates Christmas with his inimitable lassitude.
If it weren’t part of the title and repeated on every other page, readers unfamiliar with Pete’s shtick might have a hard time arriving at “groovy” to describe his Christmas celebration, as the expressionless cat displays not a hint of groove in Dean’s now-trademark illustrations. Nor does Pete have a great sense of scansion: “On the first day of Christmas, / Pete gave to me… / A road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” The cat is shown at the wheel of a yellow microbus strung with garland and lights and with a star-topped tree tied to its roof. On the second day of Christmas Pete gives “me” (here depicted as a gray squirrel who gets on the bus) “2 fuzzy gloves, and a road trip to the sea. / GROOVY!” On the third day, he gives “me” (now a white cat who joins Pete and the squirrel) “3 yummy cupcakes,” etc. The “me” mentioned in the lyrics changes from day to day and gift to gift, with “4 far-out surfboards” (a frog), “5 onion rings” (crocodile), and “6 skateboards rolling” (a yellow bird that shares its skateboards with the white cat, the squirrel, the frog, and the crocodile while Pete drives on). Gifts and animals pile on until the microbus finally arrives at the seaside and readers are told yet again that it’s all “GROOVY!”
Pete’s fans might find it groovy; anyone else has plenty of other “12 Days of Christmas” variants to choose among . (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 18, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-06-267527-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Aug. 19, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2018
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