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emilycait's reviews
1456 reviews
Sari Sisters by Anitha Rao-Robinson
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
I received access to a digital copy of this book from the publishers through work.
I LOVED this story. It's always interesting to see sibling age gap dynamics navigated. Ruhi, the little sib, feels left out/left behind when her older sib Kayra has a coming of age moment and gets to wear a sari to a family gathering for the first time.
Seeing the siblings come together in the end for a sari dance party was so lovely.
Also, the use of tissue paper to add texture and dimension to the saris was a phenomenal choice. That tissue paper is a little bit see through, so we can see skin and clothing peeking through was a cherry on top of otherwise STUNNING illustrations! It really makes each spread pop!
I LOVED this story. It's always interesting to see sibling age gap dynamics navigated. Ruhi, the little sib, feels left out/left behind when her older sib Kayra has a coming of age moment and gets to wear a sari to a family gathering for the first time.
Seeing the siblings come together in the end for a sari dance party was so lovely.
Also, the use of tissue paper to add texture and dimension to the saris was a phenomenal choice. That tissue paper is a little bit see through, so we can see skin and clothing peeking through was a cherry on top of otherwise STUNNING illustrations! It really makes each spread pop!
One Can by Lana Button, Eric Walters
emotional
informative
fast-paced
3.0
I received access to an ARC from the publishers through work.
A gentle, child-appropriate look at food insecurity and the importance of passing kindnesses forwards when you are in a position to do so.
A gentle, child-appropriate look at food insecurity and the importance of passing kindnesses forwards when you are in a position to do so.
My Street Remembers by Karen Krossing
informative
medium-paced
3.0
I received access to an ARC from the publishers through work.
I really like the concept here! I think the invitation to think about what the land you occupies "remembers" is an interesting one. This is a gentle, yet powerful, look at how colonization impacted one street in Toronto.
This is a really early copy work was given access to in December 2024/January 2025 and the illustrations look very much like a rough draft, but give a sense of where this will end up. Normally with picture books, I do like to comment on the illustrations and I'm not going to this time because of how rough the copy I read looks. I'm excited to see a final version when it comes out in September 2025.
I really like the concept here! I think the invitation to think about what the land you occupies "remembers" is an interesting one. This is a gentle, yet powerful, look at how colonization impacted one street in Toronto.
This is a really early copy work was given access to in December 2024/January 2025 and the illustrations look very much like a rough draft, but give a sense of where this will end up. Normally with picture books, I do like to comment on the illustrations and I'm not going to this time because of how rough the copy I read looks. I'm excited to see a final version when it comes out in September 2025.
Mrs. Nobody by Y. S. Lee
medium-paced
2.0
I received access to a copy of Mrs. Nobody from the publishers for work.
I didn't love this... Mostly we watch Alice behaving badly under the direction of her imaginary friend Mrs. Nobody. One day, Alice decides to stand up to Mrs. Nobody and Mrs. Nobody throws a tantrum and leaves briefly. When she returns, Alice and her make up and Alice suggests that they do some of her ideas.... which are also behaving badly.
I kinda thought this would be a growth moment for Alice, learning/becoming aware that doing things like permanent marker drawing on the walls or cutting your own micro bangs might not be such great ways to play. Alas... This one is a miss for me.
I didn't love this... Mostly we watch Alice behaving badly under the direction of her imaginary friend Mrs. Nobody. One day, Alice decides to stand up to Mrs. Nobody and Mrs. Nobody throws a tantrum and leaves briefly. When she returns, Alice and her make up and Alice suggests that they do some of her ideas.... which are also behaving badly.
I kinda thought this would be a growth moment for Alice, learning/becoming aware that doing things like permanent marker drawing on the walls or cutting your own micro bangs might not be such great ways to play. Alas... This one is a miss for me.
Home for Margaret by Denise Davy
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I received access to an ARC from the publishers for work.
I really enjoyed the gentle education on unhoused folks. While somewhat idyllic (obviously this is for kids), I think it does a good job of showing how kindness and empathy can and do make an impact on those we interact with in our communities.
The illustrations are GORGEOUS! The texture of pencil crayons (?) over the watercolour backgrounds are a delightful visual feast.
I really enjoyed the gentle education on unhoused folks. While somewhat idyllic (obviously this is for kids), I think it does a good job of showing how kindness and empathy can and do make an impact on those we interact with in our communities.
The illustrations are GORGEOUS! The texture of pencil crayons (?) over the watercolour backgrounds are a delightful visual feast.
Everybelly by Thao Lam
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
I received access to a copy of Everybelly from the publishers through work.
I LOVE the illustrations here! The paper collage adds so much texture and visual interest to this story as we follow a kiddo from their apartment to the community pool. I love that we get a kids view of the world -- belly height -- and only other children have faces. I love seeing cellulite and scars of all kids -- c-sections, open abdominal surgery, top surgery -- and stomas and diabetic monitors. Seeing big bellies, soft bellies, bellies that work out, bellies with hair. It is so beautifully done!
I LOVE the illustrations here! The paper collage adds so much texture and visual interest to this story as we follow a kiddo from their apartment to the community pool. I love that we get a kids view of the world -- belly height -- and only other children have faces. I love seeing cellulite and scars of all kids -- c-sections, open abdominal surgery, top surgery -- and stomas and diabetic monitors. Seeing big bellies, soft bellies, bellies that work out, bellies with hair. It is so beautifully done!
Community Snowman by Deborah Kerbel
hopeful
lighthearted
4.0
I received access to an ARC from the publishers through work.