This dad is a welcome role model for father figures everywhere.
A father and daughter build a backyard shed—and their relationship.
Every step of the way, the father is teaching, guiding, and relating to his daughter in ways that affirm her desire to learn, to play, and to spend time with him. He explains why they need a shed; teaches her how to choose materials; shares a milkshake (with two straws); joins her in a dance on her own private dance floor. After measuring twice and cutting once, the two frame the walls and then take a break so she can battle “the nastiest dragon in the land” (depicted as a white chalk outline and described as “daddy-dragon” in the narration). In three days, the shed is ready to paint; she can’t choose just one color, so they get two…and father’s and daughter’s shed plans delightfully merge. Over four pages, the duo grab various tools from the shed to fuel their fun as they visually age and the seasons turn, the final of the four showing a new addition: the daughter’s son, who makes his own mark on the shed. O’Neill’s illustrations keep the focus on the pair and the work they do both building and bonding, the imaginative scenes just as colorful as reality but with the addition of white chalk–outlined figures. Dad has light skin and brown hair; his daughter has darker skin and short, straight black hair. Pair this with Hammer and Nails by Josh Bledsoe and illustrated by Jessica Warrick (2016).
This dad is a welcome role model for father figures everywhere. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: May 4, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-63217-264-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Little Bigfoot/Sasquatch
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 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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