The word "parent" is not just a noun. It's also a verb.
Miki Sato’s illustrations steal the show here. Each spread features kids of every hue marveling at the magic of the winter season — playing, building snowmen, shoveling, even trudging through the wintry landscape.
Told simultaneously from her perspective and that of her daughters, this story shows readers what determination is all about and gives a perfect example of how hard work, dedication, and a hunger to make a difference can lead to an exceptional end.
The text in the book is simple, the art radiant. Poet Ruth Forman and Illustrator Geneva Bowers deliver an charming tale of four girls delighting in their hair.
Nevaeh goes to school at PS-175. Across from her school is a junk filled plot of land. While volunteering at the school, Hillery, “Mr Tony the kids called him,” notices the vacant lot and he has an idea. He cleared the lot, with the help of the students and they plant 400 seedlings, “one for each kid.”
One of the most powerful things I observed during this past summer of demonstrating for racial justice was just how influential young people, sometimes very young people, were to the movements in my community. Whitney Houston sang, “I believe the children are our future.” I say, “thank Heaven.” Hopefully they’ll do a better job than we have. In the meantime, baby activists will want to add this inspiring book to their reference collection.
With a flowing, lyrical rhythm and rich descriptions of all the imaginary events that make bath time something to look forward to, this story captures the reader’s attention and keeps them turning pages for more. This is one story that will be enjoyed for many readings.
Confession time: I often don’t care for picture book biographies. They’re hard to do well; either their subject matter is too adult for the preschool crowd, or their treatment of their subject is too shallow for the adult reading it. It’s a tricky thing to get right, but author Alicia D. Williams and illustrator Jaqueline Alcántara have struck a near-perfect tone with Jump at the Sun, a compelling and delightful picture book about national treasure Zora Neale Hurston.
This book is a well-written, beautifully illustrated, and heartwarming story about a little girl afraid about yet another change in her very young life. How wonderfully banal. To young readers, the diversity in the book will hopefully come across as passe, almost an afterthought, to the central story that every kid who has dealt with the arrival of a new disruptive sibling can relate to.
With sumptuous, lyrical language that will move melt even the coldest heart, Cabrera gives you a sweet peek into a lovely day shared between a daughter and her mother.