A wonderful recognition of land, culture, family, and heritage.
A girl growing up in Hawaii finally experiences snow, but it isn’t what she expected.
Claire’s teacher assigns them to make dioramas about the seasons, and Claire is disappointed to get winter. Claire has lived on the Big Island of Hawaii all her life and has never seen real snow. To give her a taste, Claire’s father takes the family up to Mauna Kea to see snow, but it’s a disappointment. The snow is hard and blocky, like ice; she can’t run around because of the altitude; and the snowman they build is all lumpy. Claire dreams of becoming a snow angel, flying away to a snowy place that is more beautiful and more special than the island. Then the family makes a trip to Hapuna Beach, where her parents share their knowledge of the Native Hawaiian names of the hundred winds and many sea creatures. Claire begins to see the beauty of the place she calls home. Both Yamanaka and Lukashevsky were born and raised in Hawaii, and their affection for it shines in this beautiful homage to the Big Island. Claire embodies the common process of wanting to experience new things and discovering the beauty in your own heritage and homeland. The narration includes Hawaiian names for places, fish, and plants, while the illustrations revel in their vigor and beauty. Claire and her family have brown skin and straight, black hair. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A wonderful recognition of land, culture, family, and heritage. (author's note, glossary, publisher's note) (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Jan. 4, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-12737-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Make Me a World
Review Posted Online: Aug. 10, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2021
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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