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ENTRY TYPE: new
WORK TITLE: Next Level
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WEBSITE: https://www.kaylanijuanita.com/
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COUNTRY: United States
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PERSONAL
Female.
EDUCATION:Attended Solano College and University of California, Davis; California College of the Arts, B.F.A.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and illustrator.
AWARDS:Coretta Scott King Honor, for Magnificent Homespun Brown; Stonewall Book Award, 2020, and Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book, for When Aidan Became a Brother.
WRITINGS
Contributor to publications, including Cicada.
SIDELIGHTS
Kaylani Juanita is a writer and illustrator. She has attended Solano College and the University of California, Davis, and she holds a bachelor’s degree from California College of the Arts. In an interview with a contributor to the Buy from BIPOC website, Juanita explained how she came to be an illustrator. She stated: “I’ve always drawn, that’s been the most consistent aspect of my life. By the time I was a teenager, I realized that art was what I was most passionate about. But I didn’t know I’d be a freelance illustrator for kids lit until I was a few semesters from graduating. Learning has kept me going.”
Juanita has illustrated books by other authors, including Nina Lacour, Kathy Ellen Davis, Lesa Cline-Ransome, and Valerie Bolling. Her first book with Davis, Ta-da!, begins with a girl playing pretend. A boy enters her space, upending her narrative, but the girl uses a pretend magic wand to take back control of the story. Later, she and the boy determine that they don’t have to compete and can imagine a story together. Anna Haase Krueger, contributor to School Library Journal, suggested that the book offered “a lighthearted look at imaginative play and friendship.” “The only thing better than reading about this full day of play is having one in real life,” commented a Kirkus Reviews writer.
In Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration, by Samara Cole Doyon, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book, Juanita illustrates various hues of the color brown. The pages show several brown girls identifying the different shades of brown they encounter in their own lives. “This ‘celebration’ makes magic out of the everyday joys of being in the world,” asserted a Kirkus Reviews critic. Clara Hendricks, contributor to School Library Journal, called the book “delightful” and “a must-read for its celebration of love for oneself and one’s family.”
Winner of the Stonewall Book Award and a Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book, When Aidan Became a Brother tells the story of a transgender boy who awaits the arrival of his new sibling. When Aidan worries about the baby not feeling understood, as Aidan has in the past, his parents reassure him. The book’s author, Kyle Lukoff, is a transgender man. Miriam DesHarnais, reviewer in School Library Journal, called the volume “a much-needed and appealing addition to the picture book canon; both emotionally and visually satisfying.”
A House of Every Bird, by Megan Maynor, finds Juanita illustrating the story of a brown child, who draws houses for the birds they observe. When the birds object to the designs the artists draws, the child learns a lesson about making assumptions. A writer in Kirkus Reviews described the book as “a fresh and funny take on an old moral.”
In Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle, by Lacour, a little girl misses one of her mothers while the mother is away on a work trip. In an interview with JoAnn Yao, contributor to the We Need Diverse Books website, Juanita discussed the significance of the book, stating: “It’s important to show how everyone shares the human experience of missing and loving. When drawing various people of different identities and circumstances experiencing missing someone, I hoped to introduce children to the idea of ‘That’s me!’ Whether they feel like they can visually identify with a character or identify with their actions, it’s important to show lots of different people experiencing similar feelings to connect then build empathy and compassion.” Sarah West, reviewer in School Library Journal, remarked: “The sweet, inclusive story will resonate with children who are missing a loved one.” Booklist critic, Lolly Gepson, described the volume as “a joyful and inclusive book that’s just what’s needed for children whose parents have to be away for a period.”
One of Juanita’s collaborations with Bolling is Together We Ride, which finds a Black father teaching his daughter how to ride a bike. Geographical elements cue the setting as the San Francisco Bay Area. “This book is a wonderful choice for every collection,” asserted Tiffany Flowers in Booklist. Jennifer M. Brabander, contributor to Horn Book, praised Juanita’s work in the book, stating: “Illustrations extend the appealing story.” Another Bolling collaboration, Together We Swim, depicts a mother teaching her son to swim. A Kirkus Reviews critic described the book as “warmly buoyant.” “The perspective makes us feel as if we are immersed with the family,” noted Monique Harris in Horn Book.
Juanita’s first nonfiction work is Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, by Cline-Ransome. The book traces Chisholm’s trajectory from her childhood all the way to becoming the first Black American Congresswoman. Jonah Dragan, contributor to School Library Journal, noted that the book offered “excellent treatment of a trailblazing political figure.” Highlighting a particular spread by Juanita, Aryssa Damron, writer in Booklist, commented: “The full spread of Chisholm at the Capitol with fireworks is a particular stunner!”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, February 1, 2022, Lolly Gepson, review of Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle, p. 59; May 15, 2022, Tiffany Flowers, review of Together We Ride, p. 54; September, 2023, Aryssa Damron, review of Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, p. 72.
Horn Book, July-August, 2019, Kitty Flynn, review of When Aidan Became a Brother, p. 112; May-June, 2022, Jennifer M. Brabander, review of Together We Ride, p. 114; November-December, 2023, Monique Harris, review of Together We Swim, p. 54.
Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 2018, review of Ta-da!;November 15, 2019, review of Magnificent Homespun Brown; March 15, 2021, review of The Little Things; December 15, 2020, review of A House for Every Bird; June 15, 2023, review of Together We Swim; May 15, 2024, review of Next Level: A Hymn in Gratitude for Our Differences.
Publishers Weekly, January 4, 2021, review of A House for Every Bird, p. 50.
School Library Journal, June, 2018, Anna Haase Krueger, review of Ta-da!, p. 62; June, 2019, Miriam, DesHarnais, review of When Aidan Became a Brother, p. 64; January, 2020, Clara Hendricks, review of Magnificent Homespun Brown, p. 55; April, 2022, Sarah West, review of Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle, p. 127; August, 2023, Jonah Dragan, review of Loud and Proud, p. 99.
ONLINE
Buy from BIPOC, https://buyfrombipoc.wordpress.com/ (December 19, 2024), author interview.
Kaylani Juanita website, https://www.kaylanijuanita.com/ (December 19, 2024).
We Need Diverse Books website, https://diversebooks.org/ (March 28, 2022), JoAnn Yao, author interview.
Kaylani Juanita is a freelance picture book illustrator and writer. She’s known for winning a Coretta Scott King Honors for her Illustrations in Magnificent Homespun Brown, as well as a Stonewall book award for When Aidan Became a Brother, and a spot on The Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of 2023 for Together We Swim. Some of her clients include Chronicle Books, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, and many more. Kaylani's focus is counter-storytelling through her perspective as a bisexual Black Filam Californian. She strives to create different ways for people to imagine themselves using pictures and words.
Represented by Charlotte Sheedy of Sheedy Literary Agency. For all illustration inquiries, please get in touch with Charlotte at charlotte@sheedylit.com
For general questions, don't hesitate to e-mail Kaylani at kaylani@kaylanijuanita.com
QUOTED: "It’s important to show how everyone shares the human experience of missing and loving. When drawing various people of different identities and circumstances experiencing missing someone, I hoped to introduce children to the idea of “That’s me!” Whether they feel like they can visually identify with a character or identify with their actions, it’s important to show lots of different people experiencing similar feelings to connect then build empathy and compassion."
Q&A With Nina LaCour and Kaylani Juanita, Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle
March 28, 2022 by JoAnn Yao
mama and mommy and me blog header
By Alaina Lavoie
Today we’re pleased to welcome Nina LaCour and Kaylani Juanita to the WNDB blog to discuss their picture book Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle, out March 29, 2022!
A little girl stays home with Mama when Mommy goes off on a work trip in this tender, inviting story that will resonate with every child who has missed a parent.
For one little girl, there’s no place she’d rather be than sitting between Mama and Mommy. So when Mommy goes away on a work trip, it’s tricky to find a good place at the table. As the days go by, Mama brings her to the library, they watch movies, and all of them talk on the phone, but she still misses Mommy as deep as the ocean and as high as an astronaut up in the stars. As they pass by a beautiful garden, the girl gets an idea . . . but when Mommy finally comes home, it takes a minute to shake off the empty feeling she felt all week before leaning in for a kiss. Michael L. Printz Award winner Nina LaCour thoughtfully renders a familiar, touching story of a child who misses a parent, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita, whose distinctive style brings charm and playfulness to this delightful family of three.
mama and mommy and me in the middle cover
Nina, you’ve written a lot of stunning YA novels and now an adult book as well. I’m a huge fan of your novels. How was the process different for drafting and revising a picture book?
Nina: Thank you so much! It’s been an exciting few years of experimenting and branching out in my work. I want to keep growing as a writer, always, and writing my first picture book text was so unlike writing a novel that it felt like I was working in an entirely different medium. I didn’t yet know who would illustrate it—or even if it would be published!—but I still viewed it as the first step in a collaboration. I had to get comfortable with leaving out the visual details that are so important to novel-writing and trust that the book’s future illustrator would fill in the world. I focused instead on the language and the emotional arc of the story, the passage of time, the inner life of the child. When I saw Kaylani’s gorgeous illustrations—bursting with so much love—the collaboration was complete.
Kaylani, I’d love to know more about your art process. How did you take Nina’s words and begin to create a visual story?
Kaylani: I start by reading the manuscript a few times, while I read I imagine the story and take notes on the side of the manuscript. My notes are short and include doodles.
I love that Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle is a picture book featuring a two-mom family, but the story is focused on how to handle missing a parent while they travel for work and not necessarily on educating anyone about LGBTQ+ families. There’s a dearth of LGBTQ+ families in books for this age. Why did you want to tell this story this way?
Kaylani: Part of educating people about inclusion and diversity is showing casual diversity. It’s important to show that there are other things happening to and around queer people aside from persevering extreme discrimination and experiencing trauma. We need to also have representation of queer people experiencing things like love, friendship, missing, family, milestones, all sorts of things!
Nina: There really are so few books that represent queer families, and it’s an absence that bleeds into all media. Movies, tv shows, narrative podcasts…there just isn’t nearly enough representation out there. I think that’s slowly changing and I’m glad that Kaylani and I can be a part of that change. I didn’t write the text to educate because I was more interested in writing a book that reflected the families of kids who don’t see their own families in media. That’s a through line in all of my work, I think: My characters exist in the world as they are without any need for explanation.
Nina, were you at all inspired by the real fact of life, pre-pandemic, that was traveling for book tours? I thought about this while reading about the video calls with Mommy when she’s away.
Nina: Oh, absolutely! The first time I left my daughter for more than a night or two was to go on book tour. At that time, my wife was the parent who traveled more often for work, so it was really sweet for them to have that one-on-one time together. And it was good for me to be an individual out in the world again, too, even though I missed them terribly. In addition to book tours, I often travel to Minnesota because I teach for Hamline University’s low residency Master’s program. I’ve had many Facetimes to show my daughter the snow. It’s quite the novelty for us San Franciscans.
mama mommy and me kaylani juanita pull quote
I love that Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle doesn’t just deal with how we often feel when we miss someone, but what we might do with that love until they’re back, such as creating a bouquet for them. Why did you want there to be actionable, physical ways to represent that love?
Nina: It’s so important for children to feel empowered within their circumstances—to learn that while so many choices are made for them, they can find ways to have autonomy within those parameters. Self-expression through the act of making—whether that be movement or art or words or, in this case, a bouquet—is a vital life skill to carry with us throughout childhood and beyond.
There are also several types of missing that are described by the classmates in the book, such as missing a parent who lives permanently far away, missing a sibling in college, or missing a cat who’s no longer living with your family. Why did you want to go beyond this family’s specific story to show the different ways someone might be missed? What do you hope readers get out of this?
Kaylani: It’s important to show how everyone shares the human experience of missing and loving. When drawing various people of different identities and circumstances experiencing missing someone, I hoped to introduce children to the idea of “That’s me!” Whether they feel like they can visually identify with a character or identify with their actions, it’s important to show lots of different people experiencing similar feelings to connect then build empathy and compassion.
Nina: I absolutely love how Kaylani brings the little girl’s classmates so fully to life in that illustration. She gives us a glimpse of their longings and sadnesses in such a tender way. Just as Kaylani said, missing and loving are universal feelings, so I wanted to widen the lens and show other circumstances that would lead to those feelings.
Kaylani, you beautifully drew illustrations to go with Nina’s colorful descriptions of how much a child can miss their parent. How did you decide what to draw for each scene? Can you tell us about the tools you used when you created your illustrations and why they were right for conveying these feelings?
Kaylani: Usually, I choose a keyword to focus on and then I emphasize it with color and composition. For example, if I’m asked to draw a scene that conveys the feeling of missing someone, I might draw a single figure with an open background, hints of the people missed (maybe some photographs or something that symbolizes them), to convey how lonely someone feels when they miss someone. I use a mixture of digital tools (Photoshop, scanner) and analog tools (paper, watercolor textures) to edit and draw.
What other books do you think are in conversation with Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle? Do you have any recommendations for published or forthcoming picture books?
Nina: I’m happy to see more picture books coming out right now that celebrate queer characters. I’m in love with Mr. Watson’s Chickens written by Jarrett Dapier and illustrated by Andrea Tsurumi, Bathe the Cat written by Alice B. McGinty and illustrated by David Roberts, and Big Wig written by Jonathan Hillman and illustrated by Levi Hastings. It isn’t quite as recent but I also have to mention the lovely When Aiden Became a Brother written by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Kaylani. That’s where I first saw Kaylani’s art.
What’s one question you wish you were asked more often (and the answer)?
Kaylani: I believe that everything is relevant and related to each other. Representation isn’t just us recreating reality, how we depict what we see helps further build and shape the reality that already exists, it’s always changing and growing. I really want people to ask myself and each other, “What reality does this story create?”
Nina: The question is, “What’s bringing you joy right now?” And the answer is, “Reading to my daughter on the backyard hammock, making smoothies, dabbling in various forms of writing, deep conversations with my wife and friends.” These have been a brutal stretch of years for so many people, and I’m finding that checking in with myself and moving in the direction of joy makes a huge difference.
Kaylani Juanita
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Juanita in 2021
Kaylani Juanita McCard, professionally known as Kaylani Juanita, is an illustrator.[1] Her work focuses on activism, empowerment of people of color, and LGBTQ+ people.[1] Her work has appeared in publications through Chronicle Books, Cicada Magazine, and Lee & Low Books.[2] Her first book illustrated, Ta-Da! by Kathy Ellen Davis, was released by Chronicle Books and nominated for an Young Readers award via the 38th Annual Northern California Book Awards.[3][4] In 2018, ELLE Magazine featured her work and interviewed her at length in context of her memorial illustrations based on the murder of Nia Wilson, a black woman who was fatally stabbed in a suspected hate crime while exiting a BART train.[5][6][1] In 2017, she illustrated "9 Books for Woke Kids," an article by Guinevere de la Mare.[7]
Education
Juanita attended B. Gale Wilson Elementary School in Solano County's Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District as well as Rodriguez High School.[4] While attending Rodriguez, Juanita spent a summer studying at CalArts. She then attended Solano College[4] before transferring to California College of the Arts. She earned her BFA in Illustration from California College of the Arts.[8][4] As of 2019, she is working on a Master's in Design at the University of California, Davis.
Personal life
Juanita is based in Fairfield, CA[9] and identifies as a mixed-race[10] femme queer person.
Awards and honors
When Aiden Became A Brother
Kaylani Jaunita and Kyle Lukoff published When Aiden Became a Brother in 2019. In 2020, the book was awarded the Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award,[11] landed a top spot on the American Library Association Rainbow List,[12] and was named a Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book.[13]
Bibliography
A House for Every Bird by Megan Maynor, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita, (2021)
When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita (2019)
Watch Us Rise by Reneé Watson & Ellen Hagan, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita (2019)
Ta-Da! by Kathy Ellen Davis, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita (2018)
Magnificent Homespun Brown by Samara Cole Doyon, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita (2020)
Podcasts
The Creativity Habit[10]
QUOTED: "I’ve always drawn, that’s been the most consistent aspect of my life. By the time I was a teenager, I realized that art was what I was most passionate about. But I didn’t know I’d be a freelance illustrator for kids lit until I was a few semesters from graduating. Learning has kept me going."
Kaylani Juanita
Style Crush
Kaylani Juanita a slim to medium-sized Black and Filipina American American cis woman. Her hair is long, curly, and jet black. She has stretched ears, three nose rings, and one philtrum piercing, on her left leg is the makings of a tattoo sleeve.
Today’s Style Crush post is a bit unusual because it came about by swooning over the outfits in a children’s book, When Aidan Became a Brother, by Kyle lukoff and illustrated by @kaylanijuanita. Then we started following the instagram account for Kaylani and were blown away by all of their incredible art and fantastic sense of style expressed through the characters she creates. The families Kaylani draws are THE most stylish families we have ever seen! Picture book characters can absolutely be style icons! We reached out to Kaylani to do this interview, which is partially shared below and shared fully in our stories and on website.
Pronouns: she/her and they/them.
Kaylani’s illustration of two Black adults standing and posing with two Black children. The adults wear bomber jackets, pants and sneakers. One child wears a pink turtleneck, blue dress and purple stockings. The other wears a green hoodie, blue shirt and brown shorts.
All of the characters you draw and create are some of the most fashionable people we’ve ever seen in children’s books! What’s your inspiration for all of these outfits?
I think a character’s clothes and bedroom should tell a story. I usually consider aspects like hobbies, habits, and personality in reference to the overall book and plot. Sometimes, a picture book manuscript will only describe someone as “a teenage girl with headphones.” So I’ll give that teenage girl a back story, like, maybe she enjoys punk fashion, and she also has an appreciation for classical string instruments. Then I build their aesthetic around their personal story.
In this case, the “teenage girl with headphones” could wear lots of layered baggy clothing with platform boots; she’s in her high school band so she’s always carrying a big cello case and a messenger bag. Her headphones are tangled because she’s so busy practicing music that she doesn’t take the time to untangle them, which shows her confident care-free attitude. In fact, she’s so confident that she’s dyed her hair bright pink, but that was a few months back, so her roots have grown out a bit, which is still a cute look. I have that process for every character I draw, which is probably why I draw so slow…
Family exploration sketches of two adults and a young child.Family exploration sketches of two adults and a young child.
Do you have a favorite character so far? If so, who is it, and what makes them so special to you?
My favorite character I’ve created is my own; her name is Galaxy. Galaxy is the main character from a picture book I wrote and illustrated in undergrad. Her hair is made out of space and around her head orbits tiny planets and stars. I’m really excited about bringing her to life with the publication of this book! I’ve pitched Galaxy’s story to so many people, and the story itself has been reworked a lot over the years. I was about 21 or 22 years old when I created her, and now I’m about to turn 27 while also working on finishing grad school. It feels like she’s growing with me and I can see that when I look at all the past revisions and iterations of the story. It just sold a year ago and now we’re in the stage of drawing the interior art. Hopefully, Galaxy can debut her amazing galactic hair in 2021!
The Little Things character exploration features a child with ocean colored hair, three ponytails, a fish backpack, grabber tool, life vest, sandals and gloves for handling starfish.The Little Things character exploration features a child with ocean colored hair, three ponytails, a fish backpack, grabber tool, life vest, sandals and gloves for handling starfish.
How did you know you wanted to be an artist? And what keeps you going as a creative person?
I’ve always drawn, that’s been the most consistent aspect of my life. By the time I was a teenager, I realized that art was what I was most passionate about. But I didn’t know I’d be a freelance illustrator for kids lit until I was a few semesters from graduating. Learning has kept me going. When I learn about a new concept, it’s easier for me to explain it or understand it through illustration.
Illustration of child pressed against an adult's round belly.Illustration of child pressed against an adult’s round belly.
Book cover of "When Aiden Became a Brother" by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani JuanitaBook cover of “When Aiden Became a Brother” by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
Illustrated scene depicting a colorful bedroom with two adults, a rabbit and a cat.
Who are some of your own personal fashion icons?
Most of my fashion icons are from Instagram, here are a few of their handles; @chinthekid @salty.simmone @blackbirdkhai @hantisedeloubli @lilflameprincess @taaaylizzle
Illustration of a Black person with tall hair, pink face makeup and a chunky orange turtleneckIllustration of a Black person with tall hair, pink face makeup and a chunky orange turtleneck
Collage of Kaylani wearing barrettes, and orange shirt with graphic of an orange and green pants.Collage of Kaylani wearing barrettes, and orange shirt with graphic of an orange and green pants.
Which artists inspire you the most?
I have so many, most of them are contemporary illustrators. I’m always looking at art online and in books. But, growing up, I watched a lot of Studio Ghibli, and I’ve always loved the cluttered detail and whimsy in Miyazaki’s concept art. I enjoy Rebecca Sugar because the world and aesthetic of Steven Universe encompasses millennial anime nostalgia in an accessible and inclusive way. Ian Jones-Quartey’s O.K. K.O makes me feel a similar sense of nostalgia. I’ll always be inspired by a beautifully illustrated matte painting for an animation set or environment.
Illustration of Black person wearing a straw hat, braids, a pink crop tank that says “BOO”.
What is bringing you joy right now?
Making delicious food and successfully baking from scratch. It makes me feel like I’m doing something magical. I also really enjoy it when I come up with a fruitful idea. I have a LOT of throw-away concepts, so when I have one that’s worth working on it makes me feel very excited.
Illustration of person with big hair, two nose rings and orange jacket.
Is there anything else you want to make sure we share about you and your work?
I feel emotionally chaotic; sometimes, my mental health is always up and down. But I am continually working on myself, and art is one of the many ways I cope. I hope healing, enjoyment, and love are felt through my art.
Collage of Kaylani holding a green wall telephone, cream tee and red slip.
Kaylani Juanita is a Black biracial femme artist born and raised in California. Her work strives to center Black voices and representation in efforts to combat misogynoir and antiblackness. Kaylani’s worked on titles such as MAGNIFICENT HOMESPUN BROWN, TA-DA, and A HOUSE FOR EVERY BIRD. Most recently, she won a Stonewall Award in 2020 for her illustrations in WHEN AIDAN BECAME A BROTHER. Currently, she is attending graduate school at UC Davis for a Master’s in design. One of her many dreams is to become a college art professor who uplifts and empowers future generations of Black, Brown, and lgbtq+ artists.
QUOTED: "a lighthearted look at imaginative play and friendship."
DAVIS, Kathy Ellen. Ta-Da! illus. by Kaylani Juanita. 40p. Chronicle. Jun. 2018. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9781452145136. POP
K-Gr 2--Trapped inside on a rainy day, two children compete to control the narrative of their vividly imagined play scenarios. A girl and her animal friends are happily ensconced in their castle, (a blanket/box fort with stuffed animals) when "DUN DUN DUH! A dragon came! He scared the animals! He wrecked the castle!" A dog wearing dragon wings and a boy burst into the room. The quick-thinking girl grabs her magic wand and "Ta-Da!" transforms the dragon into a friend. The girl continues to thwart every dramatic scenario the boy presents until, fed up, he leaves. Eventually, even peace gets boring and the girl finds the boy dejectedly trying to put on a magic show alone. She shares her magic wand and they discover that imagining together is much more rewarding. The text is fun to read; each character is represented by a separate font and color, so it's evident when the girl starts presenting the problems and the boy becomes the problem solver; at the end, they share the magic wand as equal partners in their play. Loads of imaginative detail in the illustrations and appealing button-eyed characters make this a good choice for classroom use and one-on-one reading. VERDICT A lighthearted look at imaginative play and friendship, perfect for storytime or readers' theater productions.--Anna Haase Krueger, Ramsey County Library, MN
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Krueger, Anna Haase. "DAVIS, Kathy Ellen. Ta-Da." School Library Journal, vol. 64, no. 6, June 2018, p. 62. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A540902852/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=171bd89e. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "The only thing better than reading about this full day of play is having one in real life."
Davis, Kathy Ellen TA-DA! Chronicle (Children's Fiction) $16.99 6, 26 ISBN: 978-1-4521-4513-6
Two children use pets, toys, and props to create an imaginary world of endless scope and possibilities.
"Once upon a time," a brown-skinned girl with puffy hair is playing happily in a crystal castle (pillow fort) with her (stuffed) animal friends, when..."dun dun DUH!" A dragon comes (a pet terrier), accompanied by a pale-skinned boy wearing magician's clothing. The dragon breathes fire and destroys the girl's castle. But--"Ta-Da!"--the girl uses her wand to "turn the dragon into a kind dragon," and off they fly together. But then ("dun dun DUH!") the boy becomes a pirate and takes the girl and the dragon prisoners. Then the girl escapes and takes "an island vacation." The boy's "dun dun DUH!" plot twists and the girl's "Ta-Da!" solutions alternate (as does the typeface) until the boy walks away, disappointed. After living happily for a while with her dragon, the girl goes to check on the boy, who has become a magician ready to put on a show. She helps him by providing an audience of stuffed animals and joining the show, then they run to the kitchen for a snack ("Ta-Da!"), continuing to imagine treasures and underwater adventures together. The bold, expressive illustrations blend the children's real world with their imaginary worlds, creating a lively display on the page.
The only thing better than reading about this full day of play is having one in real life. (Picture book. 3-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2018 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Davis, Kathy Ellen: TA-DA!" Kirkus Reviews, 1 May 2018. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A536571065/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e7709054. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "This 'celebration' makes magic out of the everyday joys of being in the world."
Doyon, Samara Cole MAGNIFICENT HOMESPUN BROWN Tilbury House (Children's Fiction) $16.95 1, 7 ISBN: 978-0-88448-797-5
A series of young brown girls admire the many different browns in their environments and in their own images in this poetic celebration of self and nature.
"Deep secret brown. / Like the subtly churning river currents / playfully beckoning me / through my grandmother's kitchen window…." A girl gazes, smiling, out the window at a scene of the natural world. On the next spread, a close-up of a bespectacled girl's face is accompanied by the line, "Deep secret brown…like my eyes." Another girl admires the "feathery brown" of tree shadows on a hike with her daddy and then the "feathery brown" of her eyelashes. Still another tastes the "amber brown" of honey from her aunt's hive and admires the "amber brown" of her own hair. Each girl is featured with family members or friends, relating to nature, and on her own having fun or in a reflective moment. The text of the poem is delightfully filled with rich imagery and luscious language, complex enough to grow into but familiar enough to enjoy at any age. Juanita's earth-toned illustrations are joyful and remarkably inclusive. The girls and their friends and family wear a variety of hairstyles; there are characters in hijabs, one with vitiligo, a child in a wheelchair, and an adult without a hand. Readers may find themselves wondering whether this is the same girl in many aspects or many--and then contemplating their own multifaceted natures.
This "celebration" makes magic out of the everyday joys of being in the world. (Picture book. 6-12)
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"Doyon, Samara Cole: MAGNIFICENT HOMESPUN BROWN." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Nov. 2019, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A605549670/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=cb56d221. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
When Aidan Became a Brother
by Kyle Lukoff; illus. by Kaylani Juanita
Preschool, Primary Lee & Low 32 pp. (g)
5/19 978-1-62014-837-2 $18.95
This story about anticipating the arrival of a new baby is, at its heart, about the unconditional love all children deserve. The fact that big-brother-to-be Aidan is transgender makes it a singular older-sibling story. "When Aidan was born, everyone thought he was a girl." In fact, Aidan "didn't feel like any kind of girl. He was really another kind of boy." Lukoff's straightforward approach to his character's gender transition rings with authenticity, and the acknowledgment that "it took everyone some time to adjust" is honest and supportive. Brown-skinned (possibly biracial) Aidan knows how it feels to be misunderstood, so when he learns his mom is having a baby, he wants to get things right for his new sibling. He helps pick out clothes and paint colors; he looks for gender-neutral names; and he practices reading so he'll be able to read aloud. Still, he worries that the baby won't be happy. His mom reassures him, "When you were born ... we made some mistakes, but you helped us fix them." Lukoff puts his child-centered story and character ahead of message; the word transgender is used only once, and gender not at all. Celebrating the family's close, affirming relationship, Juanita's vibrant digitally rendered illustrations take their cues from the text, which models how to avoid the male/female binary. Aidan's appearance isn't stereotypically male; for example, his bright clothing and bold combinations of patterns and colors indicate he's his own boy. The final spread shows family and friends celebrating the new arrival, with cupcakes, presents, and helium balloons spelling out, simply, "IT'S A BABY." A straightforward and heartfelt author's note provides more context. KITTY FLYNN
(g) indicates that the book was read in galley or page proof. The publisher's price is the suggested retail price and does not indicate a possible discount to libraries. Grade levels are only suggestions; the individual child is the real criterion.
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Flynn, Kitty. "When Aidan Became a Brother." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 95, no. 4, July-Aug. 2019, p. 112. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A592556147/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=dd315186. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "a much-needed and appealing addition to the picture book canon; both emotionally and visually satisfying."
LUKOFF, Kyle. When Aidan Became a Brother. illus. by Kaylani Juanita. 32p. Lee & Low. May 2019. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781620148372.
PreS-Gr 2--This well-illustrated and sweet family tale centers on the experiences of a transgender boy. Like Erica Silverman's Jack (not Jackie), this title portrays parental support and love between siblings. In this story, Aidan has not yet met the baby who will be his sibling, and that's what has him worried. Will the baby like sea horse or penguin-themed outfits better? If Aidan helps paint the nursery to look like the sky, maybe his new sibling won't ever feel trapped the way Aidan did in his old room, before his parents knew he was a boy. Aidan does everything he can to prepare (short of accepting his dad's offer to practice changing diapers), but his excitement shifts to anxiety. What if he's making mistakes and the baby also ends up feeling misunderstood? Lukoff (himself a transgender man) nails the nuances of Aidan's conflict, providing believable reassurance through Aidan's mom, who offers support specific to her son's experience and proves universally calming advice: "We made some mistakes but you helped us fix them.... This baby is lucky to have you and so are we." Juanita's playful watercolors make great use of clothing patterns and nature motifs, airily fashioning the sunny world of Aidan's mostly brown-skinned family and their friends, while framing curious or intrusive strangers from a child's-eye view. VERDICT A much-needed and appealing addition to the picture book canon; both emotionally and visually satisfying.--Miriam DesHarnais, Towson University, MD
KEY: * Excellent in relation to other titles on the same subject or in the same genre | Tr Hardcover trade binding | lib. ed. Publisher's library binding | Board Board book | pap. Paperback | e eBook original | BL Bilingual | POP Popular Picks
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DesHarnais, Miriam. "LUKOFF, Kyle. When Aidan Became a Brother." School Library Journal, vol. 65, no. 6, June 2019, p. 64. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A587876130/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=0f6e13ff. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "delightful" "a must-read for its celebration of love for oneself and one's family."
DOYON, Samara Cole. Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration, illus. by Kaylani Juanita. 32p. Tilbury House. Jan. 2020. Tr $16.95. ISBN 9780884487975.
PreS-Gr 3--This book is a joyful ode to the color brown. Several brown girls are presented across the pages as they share how the hue is featured in their lives. In a repeating pattern, Doyon first describes each kind of brown (feathery, amber, radiant, cozy, thundering, etc.) with descriptions of time spent with family and friends, from cocoa-sipping winter days to peaceful hikes in the woods. Then she presents a simple simile: "Radiant Brown ... like my skin." The text itself is a poem which dances playfully on the tongue when read aloud, featuring just the right amount of alliteration, a wide range of unusual vocabulary, and vibrant imagery. Juanita's illustrations are a celebration of these girls, using all shades of brown and many warm colors on a light yellow background. She gives particular care to the details that make the girls seem very real: fun hair clips, bandage-adorned skin, and patterns on clothes. They are an active bunch, leaping into piles of leaves and pirouetting on roller blades. While all characters are brown, there is a diverse cast, including a family member who uses a wheelchair and several characters wearing hijab. VERDICT Whether this delightful book is a mirror or a window for a child, it is a must-read for its celebration of love for oneself and one's family.--Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA
Caption: Magnificent Homespun Brown (Doyon) [c]2020 by Kaylani Juanita
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Hendricks, Clara. "DOYON, Samara Cole. Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration." School Library Journal, vol. 66, no. 1, Jan. 2020, pp. 55+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A610418374/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=220c0d59. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
Trimmer, Christian THE LITTLE THINGS Abrams (Children's None) $17.99 4, 27 ISBN: 978-1-4197-4226-2
A little girl’s small act of kindness energizes her town into doing the same—with a beautiful, cumulative impact.
After a terrible storm washes “thousands of sea stars” onto the beach, a brown-skinned child with three teal pigtails gets to work. One at a time, the child returns starfish to the ocean, despite the daunting number of stranded creatures. An elderly, White passerby notices her project, and asks, “What’s the point? You won’t be able to save them all.” The intrepid helper’s response sets the tone for the rest of the story: After plunking a single starfish back into the waves, she replies, “Of course I can’t save them all….But I saved that one, didn’t I?” This single show of generosity creates a chain reaction of freshly galvanized townspeople, encouraging one another to help out wherever they can—no matter how seemingly small the overall impact. Examples of these kindnesses include adopting a dog from a shelter full of strays in need of homes after the storm; cleaning up storm debris from a neighbor’s yard, though the storm trashed the entire block; and donating Tooth Fairy funds “to charity.” By the time the starfish-rescuing girl returns to the beach to take up her small mission again, she finds many of her neighbors already on the shore, saving sea stars and picking up litter. In a crowded market of picture books extolling random acts of kindness, illustrator Juanita’s charming images set this story apart. The details of each townsperson’s personality and identity sparkle on the pages, including disabled, Black, queer, and gender-nonconforming characters. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 20.3% of actual size.)
With its fun illustrations, this story may inspire young readers to try a little kindness. (Picture book. 5-10)
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"Trimmer, Christian: THE LITTLE THINGS." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Mar. 2021, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A654727429/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=0085bbc3. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
A House for Every Bird
Megan Maynor, illus. by Kaylani Juanita. Knopf, $17.99 (32p) ISBN 978-1-984896-48-3
A young brown-skinned artist draws an eclectic group of birds in this funny and subtly incisive story, each with a quirky house that matches their color or size: "Red for red,/ tall for tall./ A house/ for one,/ a house/ for all." Bur the creations immediately balk--and squawk--at being pigeonholed based on their looks. Blue Bird and Orange Bird insist on swapping houses ("Blue is my vibe--so cool, so calm," says Orange Bird); a diminutive bird wants larger digs to accommodate a huge singing group, and Large Bird prefers snug quarters "where I can touch all the walls at once." Seeing their rebellion as nothing short of ingratitude, the child gestures in frustration: "How was I supposed to KNOW what you like?"--"ASK US!" is the reply. Both Maynor's (Helga Makes a Name for Herself) dialogue text and Juanita's (When Aidan Became a Brother) digital art have a loose, improvisational feel that captures the thrill and frustration of a work in progress--and the value of empathy and flexibility in getting to know others. Ages 3-6. Author's agent: Minju Chang. BookStop Literary. Illustrator's agent: Charlotte Sheedy. Charlotte Sheedy Literary. (Feb.)
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"A House for Every Bird." Publishers Weekly, vol. 268, no. 1, 4 Jan. 2021, p. 50. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A649683555/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6bc9770e. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "a fresh and funny take on an old moral."
Maynor, Megan A HOUSE FOR EVERY BIRD Knopf (Children's None) $17.99 2, 16 ISBN: 978-1-984896-48-3
A young artist learns that our inner worlds are more than what meets the eye.
An unnamed child is on a seemingly simple mission: to draw a bunch of birds and sketch a house for each of them. At first, the brown-skinned protagonist’s creative process is fairly straightforward, matching each avian to a home that shares their physical characteristics. “Red for red,” the narrator explains, and “tall for tall.” Readers receive a bird’s-eye view of the drawings, rendered in perfect, youthful splendor by Juanita. Despite the child’s best efforts, the birds don’t seem to agree with their housing assignments. Blue Bird and Orange Bird want to swap spots while Large Bird prefers a tiny abode. Ducks may typically be found in ponds, but the young artist’s duck “[doesn’t] swim, man.” As the discerning birds and their maker argue, the frustrated child soon realizes that the birds’ unexpected preferences are not the issue—the artist’s own assumptions are. Instead of guessing based on presuppositions, the protagonist learns that simply asking is the best way to know what someone likes. Interactions among the child and their artistic subjects are depicted in Juanita’s expressive signature style; her use of texture, color, and detail is the book’s highlight. They expand on Maynor’s thoughtful—if rather clunky—narrative, together comically teaching youth to let others define themselves and avoid the pitfalls of inadvertent stereotyping. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-22-inch double-page spreads viewed at 14.1% of actual size.)
A fresh and funny take on an old moral. (Picture book. 5-10)
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"Maynor, Megan: A HOUSE FOR EVERY BIRD." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Dec. 2020. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A644766988/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=ab8f3113. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "The sweet, inclusive story will resonate with children who are missing a loved one."
LACOUR, Nina. Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle. illus. by Kaylani Juanita. 32p. Candlewick. Mar. 2022. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9781536211511.
K-Gr 3--In LaCour's debut picture book, a young girl wakes up on a Monday morning and starts her day like any other, with one difference. After breakfast, one of her mothers leaves on a work trip that will last the whole week. It's a disorienting experience for the girl. She can't find the right place to sit at the table, she forgets she doesn't need to buy blueberries, and most of all, she just plain misses her. On Friday, the girl comes up with a plan to welcome Mommy home, and she needs Mama's help. But when Mommy gets home on Sunday, the young girl is surprised to find out that even in the aftermath, she's still sad about Mommy being gone for the whole week. With time, she's able to accept a hug from her Mama and Mommy, content in her place back in the middle. Juanita's distinct style is unique and adds a touch of whimsy to this story that deals with big feelings. The pages are filled with muted yet warm colors that really explore feelings of love and (temporary) loss. The childlike voice seems authentic to the main character. The narrator has warm brown skin, as does Mommy, while Mama has lighter skin and purple hair. VERDICT This story lends itself well to conversations about feelings, boundaries, and socialemotional learning; the sweet, inclusive story will resonate with children who are missing a loved one.--Sarah West
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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West, Sarah. "LACOUR, Nina. Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle." School Library Journal, vol. 68, no. 4, Apr. 2022, p. 127. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A699585703/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=a41a4b5c. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "a joyful and inclusive book that's just what's needed for children whose parents have to be away for a period."
Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle. By Nina LaCour. Illus. by Kaylani Juanita. Mar. 2022. 32p. Candlewick, $17.99 (9781536211511). PreS-Gr. 2.
The purple sky is sprinkled with stars and the sun is still hiding when Mommy wakes up her little girl for an early breakfast. Mommy cooks pancakes, and they eat until their bellies are full: the girl, her Mommy, and her Mama. When Mommy leaves for a week's work trip, the little girl relates what happens each day: hot cocoa at the cafe with Mama, sharing time at school, visits to the library and the grocery store. As the days go by, she doesn't know where to sit, because she is no longer in the middle of her two mothers. A phone visit with Mommy helps, but her sadness persists. Poignantly she says: "I miss Mommy. I miss her as deep as a scuba diver down in the ocean and as high as an astronaut up in the stars." Snuggling with Mama helps, too. On Sunday, the two gather up a huge bouquet from the garden and present it to Mommy as she arrives home. Printz Award-winning LaCour (We Are Okay, 2016) makes her picture-book debut here, her text accompanied by Coretta Scott King honoree Juanita's expressive artwork, which celebrates radiant brown skin, some chic and magnificent hairstyles, and fashions that fully express the color and individuality in this special family. A joyful and inclusive book that's just what's needed for children whose parents have to be away for a period.--Lolly Gepson
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 American Library Association
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Gepson, Lolly. "Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle." Booklist, vol. 118, no. 11, 1 Feb. 2022, p. 59. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A693527550/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=5d9c3603. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "This book is a wonderful choice for every collection."
Together We Ride. By Valerie Bolling. Illus. by Kaylani Juanita. May 2022. 36p. Chronicle, $16.99 (9781797212487). PreS-K.
Learning to ride a bike is a common but monumental childhood experience, and in this adorable story, a father teaches his daughter. First, he pumps her bike's tires while she buckles a stickered helmet beneath her chin. They then walk out to their empty cul-de-sac where Dad steadies her atop her bike, helping her glide slowly forward until she is riding on her own. But then--"Slip, slide, tossed aside"--the girl wobbles and crashes into a bush, her dad quick to sweep her into a comforting hug. Tears dried, the girl climbs back on her bike and, after a push from Dad, flies along the sidewalk with her father proudly cheering her on. Written in spare, rhyming text containing plenty of sight words, the story is told largely through the book's beautiful mixed-media illustrations. Juanita, a Coretta Scott King Award Honoree, creates watercolor-like scenes accented in candy-colored hues and filled with thoughtful details, from the garage, where a plush rhino sits at a tea party, to the San Francisco Bay Bridge in the distance to the celebratory final scene where the entire family takes a bike ride together. Featuring a young Black family, this book is a wonderful choice for every collection and an asset in the area of #RepresentationMatters.--Tiffany Flowers
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 American Library Association
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Flowers, Tiffany. "Together We Ride." Booklist, vol. 118, no. 18, 15 May 2022, p. 54. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A704943141/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b318cdb9. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "Illustrations extend the appealing story."
Together We Ride
by Valerie Bolling;
illus. by Kaylani Juanita
Preschool Chronicle 32 pp. g
4/22 978-1-7972-1248-7 $16.99
A little girl learns to ride a bike in her suburban Bay Area neighborhood, her father by her side until off she goes on her own. Soon enough comes the inevitable wobbliness and first fall (with, luckily, a soft landing in some leafy shrubbery), but Dad is there to help: "Hug-cried / Tears dried / Decide ..." Will she get back on? Dad wisely lets her think about it, then "Push, goodbyed / Pump, FLY! / What pride!" Bolling's brief and inventive rhyming text perfectly conveys the action and emotions involved in an inaugural bike ride. Illustrations extend the appealing story by including a supportive dog who pulls twigs off the bike after the crash, wags its tail encouragingly as the girl considers getting back on, and gives her a big wet kiss at the end. However, the crowning elaboration on the text is the art's celebration of Black hair: Dad, wearing a T-shirt with the Pan-African flag colors, sports high-top dreads, a fade, and a chin-strap goatee, while the girl's double Afro puffs proudly poof out below her bike helmet. (Safety first, but this girl is not letting that helmet cramp her style.) When the two return home, Mom and younger brother join them for a family bike ride, little man (with dreads that match Dad's) riding in a sidecar and the dog running happily alongside. Together, indeed.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2022 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Sources, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Brabander, Jennifer M. "Together We Ride." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 98, no. 3, May-June 2022, pp. 114+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A704090378/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e5094ec8. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "excellent treatment of a trailblazing political figure."
CLINE-RANSOME, Lesa. Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. illus. by Kaylani Juanita. 48p. S. & S./ Paula Wiseman. Sept. 2023. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781534463523.
Gr 2-5-History shines in this rousing biography of Shirley Chisholm. The expansive story follows the course of the congresswoman's life, from her childhood through her political career, culminating in her historic presidential campaign. Cline-Ransome's well-chosen language contrasts the narrow-minded contempt of the establishment with Chisholm's spirit and defiance: "When they told her to slow down, Shirley worked quickly ... When they told her to remember her place, Shirley made her own place." Juanita's digital art, in vignettes and full bleeds, depicts Chisholm's tireless forward march through education and politics. Some illustrations contain straightforward snapshots of moments small and large--a family bedroom, a local rally, a spectacular fireworks display at the Capitol. Others focus on close-up views of objects, such as ballot boxes, food stamps, and presidential campaign buttons, to clarify key political concepts. In an inspired visual motif, Juanita renders the characters' speech as clouds emerging from their mouths (some empty and some containing important pull quotes from the story), a literal treatment of their words' energy and outward spread. While the word clouds of her naysayers are gray, spiked, and threatening, Chisholm's appear light blue and fluid, like a joyful tidal wave. VERDICT A first purchase, this excellent treatment of a trailblazing political figure will serve as a stepping stone from shorter picture books to chapter books for young lovers of biography.--Jonah Dragan
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Dragan, Jonah. "CLINE-RANSOME, Lesa. Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm." School Library Journal, vol. 69, no. 8, Aug. 2023, p. 99. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A758507104/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=d24cd354. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "The full spread of Chisholm at the Capitol with fireworks is a particular stunner!"
Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. By Lesa Cline-Ransome. Illus. by Kaylani Juanita. Sept. 2023. 48p. Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman, $18.99 (9781534463523). Gr. 1-3.328.73.
This vibrantly colored, boisterous, and well-paced biography of pioneering Shirley Chisholm belongs in every library. Following Shirley from her earliest years as a "bossy" tot through college and into politics and retirement, this all-encompassing account of the activist and politician is packed with detail while avoiding feeling dense. Cline-Ransome's taut prose helps Shirley leap off the page with snappy dialogue, and her focus on Shirleys actions and impact rather than the political world around her helps her be the star of her own story. Juanitas colorful illustration style incorporates vintage color palettes, stylized figure designs, speech balloons, and playful perspectives and scale, making for a warm invitation into the story. The full spread of Chisholm at the Capitol with fireworks is a particular stunner! Smart, intellectual, and yet still child friendly, this informative volume offers young readers a chance to learn about Shirley and to hear for themselves her famous words--many of which will still resonate today. Add this to any biography collection in need of engaging titles about groundbreaking yet too-often-overlooked historical figures. Fans of the work of Mara Rockliff and Helaine Becker will find much to admire here.--Aryssa Damron
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 American Library Association
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Damron, Aryssa. "Loud and Proud: The Life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm." Booklist, vol. 120, no. 1, Sept. 2023, p. 72. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A766069784/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b47288a5. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "warmly buoyant."
Bolling, Valerie TOGETHER WE SWIM Chronicle Books (Children's None) $16.99 8, 15 ISBN: 9781797212494
A Black family of four enjoys a day at the pool.
Readers may recognize two of the family members from Bolling and Juanita's Together We Ride (2022), which centered on a father teaching his young daughter to ride a bike. This latest takes a similar tack, as the mother now helps her young son learn to swim. The child is uncertain, but with her encouragement, he dips a toe into the water and picks up the fundamentals: lifting his head above the water, floating, pumping his arms and legs. There are snafus along the way--the child initially sinks, but Mom is right there. Finally the boy strikes out to swim, "On my own, / in the zone." The whole family is reassuring, cheering the child on. Big sister does the backstroke and a handstand, displaying the confidence the little one is still learning. Brief but upbeat rhyming verses will especially appeal to beginning readers. Juanita's carefully composed, muted line illustrations shine in the details, from swim bonnets on Mom and big sister to a mermaid tattoo on Dad's side. Touching moments in the art pair well with the text. Black family pride and joy abound--this is a family that allows its little ones the space to make forays into independence while supporting them every step of the way. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Warmly buoyant. (Picture book. 4-8)
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"Bolling, Valerie: TOGETHER WE SWIM." Kirkus Reviews, 15 June 2023, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A752723064/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e58c4fc9. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
QUOTED: "The perspective makes us feel as if we are immersed with the family."
Together We Swim
by Valerie Boiling; illus. by Kaylani Juanita
Preschool Chronicle 40 pp.
8/23 9781797212494 $16.99
Swimming is an important life skill, yet the legacy of systemic racism and continued inequities in the U.S. result in fewer Black children learning how. That makes this book, featuring a Black family of four, all the more meaningful. Enjoying a day at the pool, Ma teaches her young son how to swim as Dad and older sister (from Together We Ride, rev. 5/22) encourage and cheer him on. From the tentative "toe dip" to learning to float, kick, and stroke, the boy is supported by his family through his successes and a "small blunder." Eventually, he gets "in the zone" and swims on his own for the first time. Bolling's short rhyming text is accessible to those just dipping their toes into the reading waters. The illustrations in muted tones include lots of details: Dad's tattoo, Ma and Sister's swim caps, textured hair, and varied skin tones--cultural touches that embrace and celebrate diversity. Drawing viewers into the space of the pool, the perspective makes us feel as if we are immersed with the family. The book ends with the joyful exuberance of conquering one's fears and with the calming steadiness of a loving family. MONIQUE HARRIS
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2023 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Sources, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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Harris, Monique. "Together We Swim." The Horn Book Magazine, vol. 99, no. 6, Nov.-Dec. 2023, p. 54. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A772686769/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=46cef874. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
Juanita, Kaylani NEXT LEVEL Tilbury House (Children's None) $18.95 4, 15 ISBN: 9781668936832
A mother enjoys a day with her autistic son.
After mother and son attend church, the child sheds his restrictive clothes for something light and comfy. The boy plays outside before the two take the bus home, where the child bathes and gets ready for bed. The stylish mother is always on the same page as her child, never embarrassed, even when others judge the boy for behavior they see as disruptive. Though many people don't understand the child, he's "on the next level," as she tells him. Cole Doyon's text is a poignant poem from a parent to a child, making beautiful use of imagery and metaphor and bursting with love. The author explores the child's unique way of seeing the world and the many ways he and his mother communicate without words. Difficult emotions are simply part of the ups and downs of the day, not something to fear. Juanita's endearing yet sophisticated illustrations, rendered in her distinctive style, depict a loving Black family; the visuals also incorporate objects that are part of many autistic children's lives, such as fidget- and chewable jewelry and a sensory body sock. This book will resonate with those children who see themselves in it; for others, it will be a window into one boy's experience of autism.
A deeply empathetic celebration of familial love and neurodiversity. (author's note) (Picture book. 5-10)
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Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Juanita, Kaylani: NEXT LEVEL." Kirkus Reviews, 15 May 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A793537017/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=bf44275d. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.