A familial tale of gratitude and finding wonder in the world.
An Indonesian family embarks on their annual road trip from Jakarta to Grandma’s countryside village.
Aisha wants a new and exciting trip. The young narrator’s friend Jennie will be spending time in the snow (“white and crisp and crunchy”), while another pal, Dimas, will be floating under blue skies in the turquoise of a hotel pool. Stopping at a roadside stall for es campur, the family delights in the snowlike shaved ice dessert. They later look out the window at the sparkling blue ocean. But when their car breaks down, a frustrated Aisha sulks in a field, envious of the family’s neighbor Siregar, who visited an aquarium last year and saw “tropical fish of every color.” Looking up, Aisha sees the sky painted with a multitude of vibrant, fish-shaped kites and is suddenly filled with a newfound awe and joy. There are colors all around, Aisha realizes as the family arrives at Grandma’s. The youngster’s favorite is sunny yellow, like Grandma’s kebaya and the soto soup she prepares them for the evening meal. Adani’s mixed-media illustrations are soft and muted, with few strong lines among bright, buttery colors, matching the gentle, uplifting mood of the book. Illustrations of Jakarta include signs in Indonesian and other facets of daily life, while scenes at Aisha’s grandmother’s house depict traditional Javanese architecture; Adani gives readers a window into the differences between urban and rural Indonesian life—as well as a lesson in learning to appreciate everyday beauty.
A familial tale of gratitude and finding wonder in the world. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: Sept. 3, 2024
ISBN: 9781536235401
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: July 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2024
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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