Skip to main content

Review: All About U.S.: A Look at the Lives of 50 Real Kids From Across the United States

By
 
By Matt Lamothe
San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books, 2024. Informational. 77 pages. 

All About U.S. showcases the lives of 50 children currently living within the United States. Each vignette is an intimate portrait of not only each child's hopes and interests, but their families, and the unique circumstances that make them special. For instance, we learn that Ramon from Rhode Island has lived on the third floor of the same building his entire life, but that space is tight so his 100+ Hot Wheels cars are stored in plastic bins in the hallway, and that 9-year-old Majeed from Illinois plays cello in the Hyde Park Youth Symphony and frequently practices with his father and brother in their apartment overlooking Lake Michigan. 

This engaging book brings home the point that while we have many differences worth celebrating, we are also connected through a universal human experience. Visually interesting digital illustrations enhance this charming narrative --most readers will start by looking up their home state and then be drawn in for more and more!


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Faker

By
Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...
Post a Comment
Read more

Five Faves: Board Books You Can Sing

By
Lots of kids LOVE to sing! Singing is especially fun with friends and caregivers, but it doesn't always feel natural to burst into song (well, for some of us). These board books are great because they take classic tunes and put them with fun illustrations and some of them put new words and themes to the music.  The Llamas in the Field Written by Aly Fronis Illustrated by Luke Flowers New York: Little Bee Books, 2020. Board Book. Set to the tune of "The Wheels on the Bus," this book is perfect for kids who love making animal sounds. At this farm, we get to sing about all different kinds of animals and what noises they make, and many of them we don't hear about all the time. Sure, we have the familiar cows, but also coyotes, alpacas, and of course llamas! I'm a Little Snowman Written by Hannah Eliot Illustrated by Anna Daviscourt New York: Little Simon, 2022. Board Book. Set to "I'm a Little Teapot," this book describes a fun winter's day with snow...
Post a Comment
Read more

Books to Read When...You're Practicing Mindfulness

By
January is an exciting time of the year. It is fun to start a new calendar, open a new planner, and make plans for things you want to do in the new year. But all of the changes (and the long, cold, dark nights) can also feel a little bit overwhelming. When I am feeling overwhelmed, I like to practice mindful meditation to help calm me down. If you (or the kids in your life!) are the same way, here are some great books that will help. Little Dinosaurs, Big Feelings Written by Swapna Haddow & Dr. Diplo Illustrated by Yiting Lee London: Magic Cat Publishing, 2024. Comics. 111 pages. In this adorable and unique take on mindfulness, the fictional Dr. Diplo offers therapy to the other dinosaurs. The graphic novel style of this book will attract a lot of readers, and the excellent use of stories, flowcharts, and other visual decoration will make sure they leave with an understanding of how to navigate feelings in difficult situations. Psychologist Amber Owens assisted with this book to ma...
Post a Comment
Read more