By the end, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Lola’s learned the most important thing of all: she’s “ready to learn all...
A little girl starting school for the first time already knows a lot of things, but her big sister’s got her worried others will know more.
So little Lola lists out for readers some of the awesome things she can do. She can drive the car…from the back seat; teach her mom (yet again) how to work the remote control; and play the piano (only one song, but she’s great at it). Dad doesn’t always appreciate her setting him up to show off what she knows at his expense, and though Lola has a talent for driving her sister crazy, “I’m not saying you should try it. I’m just saying I happen to be especially good at it.” And readers should take her word for it that they shouldn’t cut their own hair. Among the tongue-in-cheek lessons Lola has learned are some gems about siblings, eating healthy, and life: “practicing isn’t as fun as doing. But I also know you can’t get good at anything without a lot of practice.” Palacios’ blonde, white, tutu-clad tot is wonderfully self-assured, self-confident, and exuberant, all of which come through in the digital illustrations, which are a mix of watercolor, colored pencil, and cut paper.
By the end, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that Lola’s learned the most important thing of all: she’s “ready to learn all the things I still don’t know.” (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: June 7, 2016
ISBN: 978-0-06-225017-9
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2016
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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
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