Horn Book Herald: April 2025

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell. A young Black girl enjoys special moments with her fun-loving mother, a U.S. Army member. Their bond, built through cooking, gardening, and dancing, promises to survive Momma's overseas deployment. Upon returning with PTSD, Momma's symptoms affect the girl's well-being, until small adjustments aid the family's healing. Narrated by the child, the story builds empathy for, and gives authentic voice to, children in similar situations. Loose-handed ink and charcoal artwork offers warmth, shielding the tale from heavy-handed realism.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) 4-6 This poignant and powerful story follows twelve-year-old Ash Dalton as she navigates the challenges of being bullied, living in an unsafe foster home, and struggling with her sense of identity. With authentic characters and a raw, honest narrative, the story touches on themes of trust, abuse, and resilience. Ash's journey toward finding a caring family and safety offers readers hope, despite the gritty realities she faces. A gripping, emotional read.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Valeria “Magic” Salomón is a skilled soccer player grappling with personal and family challenges. Booted off her boys’ team after some unfortunate events, Valeria joins an all-girls team, the Amazons, where she must adjust to new dynamics and prioritize teamwork over individual skill. A heartfelt and realistic story about resilience, and family struggles, this book will resonate with young readers, especially those who love sports and character-driven stories.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Translated by Shan Li Bannai Serasis. Illustrated by Cinyee Chiu. A girl and her mother tend to their garden in Taiwan as a typhoon approaches. Their simple, pastoral interaction is about preparing dinner, but the garden stands in for connection to the land and history. The text is in English with Chinese and Pinyin translations and also includes a few words in Amis, an Indigenous language of her family that the young protagonist is learning. Half the illustrations are lush, beautiful images of the landscape, and the other half are starker, sketchlike grayscale images, reflecting the coming rain.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(4) PS Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. REVIEW MISSING

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(4) PS Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. In Daddy, a father otter explains, in rhyming couplets, how much he loves his child: “When I became your daddy, you made my world complete. / I didn’t know the little things in life could be so sweet.” In Mommy, a mama bunny expresses the same feelings. The sentimental texts are more likely to interest mommies and daddies than their children, but the soothing, textured illustrations -- pastel-colored spreads showing the pairs’ day of frolicking and snuggling -- are appealing. Review covers these titles: When I Became Your Daddy and When I Became Your Mommy.

Reviewer: Rachel L. Kerns

(3) 4-6 This poignant coming-of-age story follows Walter, a fifth grader navigating his father's absence, a new school, and life with his grandfather. As he delves into advice left by his dad, embraces creativity, and forms new friendships, Walter confronts the complexities of love, forgiveness, and self-discovery. With a blend of humor and emotional depth, the novel deftly explores themes of loss and healing, offering a tender, reflective journey through childhood’s bittersweet moments.

Reviewer: Summer Edward

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Patrice Barton. An adult warmly shares wishes for a child. Along with the straightforwardly positive (“If I could, I’d write a thousand songs for you to sing”), these wishes include more challenging imagined gifts to prepare the child for life (“I’d give you every tear I ever cried so you can learn from my mistakes”), making for a more complex than usual take on the subgenre of picture books expressing hopes for young loved ones. Engaging and varied mixed-media illustrations depict diverse, loving families.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax