A celebration of modern-day fatherhood.
Newman and Ford pay tribute to the relationship between fathers and sons.
Dads and sons learn important life lessons while taking part in a variety of activities, from running along the beach and sitting by the campfire strumming a guitar to gardening and riding bikes. Newman showcases moments that help cement that unbreakable bond, as well as those that help young people learn what it means to be an emotionally intelligent person. We see dads and sons participating in activities that knock down gender stereotypes, such as sewing and baking—a longtime hallmark of Newman’s work. The fathers also teach their sons about the importance of empathy (“The day I broke his favorite lamp, / My daddy said, ‘That’s okay, Champ.’ / He didn’t yell or punish me. / He acted kind and lovingly”), being in touch with one’s feelings (“When I fell down and scraped my knee, My daddy took good care of me… / ‘It’s OK, Bud,’ he said, ‘to cry’”), and providing comfort when things get overwhelming. Newman’s singsong-y text gets these points across without ever veering toward didacticism or mushiness, although adults may want to pre-read before storytime due to some awkward wording in places. Rendered in neutral tones, Ford’s watercolor and colored pencil illustrations capture the warmth of parent/child bonds. Characters are diverse in skin tone and ability; one child uses a wheelchair.
A celebration of modern-day fatherhood. (Picture book. 4-7)Pub Date: April 16, 2024
ISBN: 9781419740213
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Abrams
Review Posted Online: March 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2024
Another quirky take on the series theme that it’s cool to be kind.
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)Pub Date: March 26, 2024
ISBN: 9780063329560
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
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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
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