Kirkus Reviews - February 1, 2014
Just because a book fills a need, that doesn't guarantee
its quality; fortunately, this book both addresses premature birth and
succeeds marvelously.
Like any big brother-to-be, Jacob is conflicted when he hears about
his family's upcoming arrival. Sure, he's excited, but teddy bear Bob,
clearly Jacob's externalized id, is unafraid to bring up potential
problems. Bob's worries are utterly forgotten, however, when the infant
arrives far too early, and the grown-ups' fear communicates itself to
Jacob. As time wears on, Jacob feels abandoned; all his parents and
grandmother think about is their preemie. Reminiscent of the
straightforward honesty of a Robie H. Harris title, the storyline
doesn't coddle the viewer but acknowledges feelings, both good and bad.
From conversations about what's going to happen ("Is the baby going to
die? Grandma didn't know") to anger toward the baby itself (a black page
contains just an image of Jacob and the words "I wish the baby would
die"), Kantorovitz draws on personal experience to give a rounded view
of the situation. Images are laid out like snapshots in a family album,
drawn in the faux-naif style of Jacob himself, and his childlike
narration is printed in a typeface that emulates a child's handwriting.
This filter helps to blunt the potential horror even as it honors
Jacob's emotions and experiences.
A laudably candid effort, unafraid to treat its readership with the utmost respect.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Review from Kirkus
Actually the whole review is posted on the Charlesbridge website. So I can do it too. Here it is:
Friday, January 10, 2014
Starred Review!!!
Oh I am so pleased, The Very Tiny Baby received a starred review in Kirkus. The review will come out in their February issue so I'm not sure I am allowed to post the whole review yet. Believe me, it's a good one!
From the Charlesbridge FB:
"A laudably candid effort, unafraid to treat its readership with the utmost respect." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review. THE VERY TINY BABY by Sylvie Kantorovitz. Coming this March!
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