A heartfelt new-sibling tale, infused with cultural elements.
Anya and Mama have a very special relationship…until a new baby sister arrives.
Anya loves spending time with her mother. They build forts, snuggle up and read stories, and visit Anya’s favorite aunt, Vee. But one day, Anya’s parents bring home her new sibling, Hana. Spot-art vignettes depict Anya becoming increasingly sad and angry. Once in a while, Anya does feel a “tug on her heart, and [wonders] if that might be love,” but it quickly disappears once Mama focuses her attention on Hana. As weeks pass, everyone becomes even busier as they plan Hana’s 100th day party—a common milestone in Chinese culture. On the big day, Anya feels left out and finds Aunt Vee in the kitchen making ang ku kueh, and while the two form the turtle-shaped sweet treats together, Aunt Vee tells Anya about how she and Anya’s mama fought as kids. “Sometimes love doesn’t come instantly,” she explains. It can be like the ang ku kueh, “slow as a tortoise hiding in its shell.” When it’s time for Mama to snip a lock of Hana’s hair, the baby wails, but Anya is there to comfort her. Though this tale treads familiar ground, it’s sweet nevertheless, distinguished by the thoughtful inclusion of Chinese traditions. Chan’s bright, colorful artwork gently teases out the relationship between family members—both Mama and Aunt Vee, as well as Anya and Hana.
A heartfelt new-sibling tale, infused with cultural elements. (author’s note, more information on 100th day customs, recipe for ang ku kueh) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 1, 2025
ISBN: 9780374389871
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Review Posted Online: April 19, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2025
BOOK REVIEW
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind.
When Mom and Dad bring baby Rasheed home for the first time, it’s love at first sight for big brother Anthony.
As the boys grow, Anthony teaches his little sibling how to build a tower with blocks (and how to knock it down with a loud “WHOP!!!”), how to ride a bike, and even how to fly (through a well-timed leap from the swings). When thunder and lightning wake them both one night, Anthony assuages Rasheed’s fears with the book’s titular refrain: “I got you.” But one day Anthony goes for a bike ride with his friends, leaving Rasheed alone and hurt. That night, Anthony explains that while he may spend time with his peers, his bond with Rasheed is unbreakable. And as the book comes to a close, with Mom and Dad introducing the boys to their new little sibling, Anthony leaves Rasheed with perhaps the greatest lesson of all: how to be a supportive big brother himself. Narrated by Rasheed, Barnes’ text is elegant in its simplicity, loving yet never saccharine, and always emotionally honest. Using varied perspectives, Knight-Justice’s richly hued, collagelike digital illustrations combine a patchwork of textures and patterns, immersing readers in this affectionate Black family’s world. Greens and blues dominate the pages, bringing to life an idyllic suburban setting.
Brotherly love and Black joy abound in this brilliantly told tribute to the ties that bind. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9780593111451
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
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