Archives for May 17, 2025

This new picture book is available now from Henry Holt and Co. Books for Young Readers.
Aspiring young rappers will delight in this infectious, read-aloud introduction to the poetry and craft of rap. Celebratory and informative, RAP IT UP! invites us to see where our imaginations may lead. 

I found this book to be very interesting and I even learned a few things! I highly recommend it… especially for kids who love music.

A poignant and childlike meditation on love and remembrance in the wake of losing his beloved pet dog, dePaola’s Where Are You, Brontë? also serves as a poetic goodbye letter to his readers. It is a special and intimate book that reassures readers that our loved ones remain with us in memory, making it a comforting reminder that our loved ones are never truly gone. Celebrated as a fitting conclusion to dePaola’s illustrious career, this book also ties into this year’s 50th anniversary of his iconic work, Strega Nona — spotlighting his enduring legacy in children’s literature.

Barbara McClintock is an American illustrator and author of over forty books for children. Her books have received numerous awards and selections, including five New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book Awards, four ALA Notable Book selections, a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Award, a China Times Open Book Award, and a British Fantasy Award. One of her books is a bestselling title in Japan. She has lectured about her work nationally and internationally and is currently teaching classes on creating children’s books at Wesleyan University. Originally from New Jersey and North Dakota, she now resides in northeastern Connecticut with her partner, the illustrator David Johnson, and their three overly helpful cats.

Parenting expert Dr. Becky Kennedy debuts picture book examining why kids hit.

That’s My Truck! follows Charlie whose feelings completely overwhelm him when he sees his sister playing with his favorite truck. This engaging story not only offers parents valuable insights and strategies to address a problem behavior like hitting but it also helps children cope with big feelings. The book also features backmatter with tips from Dr. Becky herself!

Dr. Becky is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, a TED speaker, and the host of the chart-topping podcast Good Inside with Dr. Becky, which has amassed a global following of millions of parents—including celebrities Sophie Turner, Kevin Jonas, and more.

Baby Memory Box by Chloe Giordano (kaddo, February 2025)

Treasure your baby’s early years with this keepsake memory box. The ideal gender-neutral gift for new parents, this Baby Memory Box is a special place to record and store life’s little moments. Cherish every one of baby’s firsts with little boxes for first tooth and first curl, and a cloth bag for that tiny first pair of shoes. Write a letter to baby, record their first words and memories in the miniature memories book, and add a picture to the photo frame. Over time, it will become a treasure trove of memories that you and your child will cherish for a lifetime.

Sing with Your Baby Every Day by Claire Grace and Chloe Giordano (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, March 2025)

Science tells us that babies develop best when they are spoken to, sung to, and read to. Even when they’re tiny, the sound of their parents’ voices helps babies make sense of the world and feel comfortable with new people and places—and this beautiful book brings you best-loved nursery rhymes and songs in one handsome keepsake volume. Sing with Your Baby Every Day is a collection of nursery rhymes and songs to share with your baby, illustrated with adorable hand-stitched embroidery art.

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to facilitate this weekly book feature. Cover images and information were also provided.

In a remote village on the island of Carpathia, a shy farm girl named Yuri is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as ochi. But when Yuri discovers a wounded baby ochi has been left behind, she escapes on a quest to bring him home.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Mikella G. comments, “I really like The Legend of Ochi. It is an emotional, yet inspiring film. At the same time, it is also suspenseful, and creates a slight feeling of discomfort. I enjoy each of these different aspects, because they all help to build up the interesting storyline, and bring you into the world on the island of Carpathia.” IvyJoy C. adds, “I absolutely love The Legend of Ochi. Unlike movies that I usually like, this is not primarily CGI and special effects. The writer/director, Isaiah Saxon, uses creative and talented acting, cinematography, music and puppetry to create this beautiful film.” Avalynn G. wraps it up with, “This movie starts off a little slow, but once I started to understand it, I loved it! The settings for this film are very beautiful, especially the home of the ochi. I love the relationship between Yuri and the baby ochi.” See their full reviews below.

The Legend of Ochi

Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critics, age 18

I really like The Legend of Ochi. It is an emotional, yet inspiring film. At the same time, it is also suspenseful, and creates a slight feeling of discomfort. I enjoy each of these different aspects, because they all help to build up the interesting storyline, and bring you into the world on the island of Carpathia.

This storyline is about a young girl named Yuri (Helena Zengel) who lives on a remote island in the middle of the Black Sea. The island is filled with native animals called ochis. Her father, Maxim (Willem Dafoe) has always taught her to fear these animals, as they are a threat to humankind. However, Yuri has a special place in her heart for animals, and her desire to help a lost ochi takes her on a wild adventure, uncovering a world of secrets that she never knew about.

Something that I really enjoy about this film is the cinematography. Director Isaiah Saxon has a unique style that helps to bring out the cold, uncomfortable feeling that this film exudes. There are many moments of stillness and closeups – many scenes where the camera zooms in very close on Yuri’s face. This helps the audience to really feel her loneliness and sadness. It is clear that she is undergoing something from the very beginning, and this camera work helps us to understand that, even without dialogue. Additionally, the animatronics are outstanding. All of the ochis feel so real. They look incredibly realistic, and their interactions with the humans are so interesting to watch – especially all of the communication between the baby ochi and Yuri. They are all so special and it’s amazing how such a deep connection is established, even between an animatronic and a person. The ochi feels so human-like, and has such clear emotions and feelings. The noises and sounds they make are beautiful, and the overall qualities of the ochi are highly impressive. Lastly, the message of this movie is extremely powerful. It teaches us to not assume the worst in animals, and that violence is not the answer. This film also highlights how people’s opinions are able to change over time. This is a huge aspect of today’s society. With so much constant change, and things always evolving, it’s often hard to shift the mindset of those who are set in their ways and traditions. This movie breaks that stigma, and shows us how strong the power of family and love is. The ending is particularly compelling and really moved me. I had full body chills the entire time.

The message of The Legend of Ochi is that love will always be the most powerful form of connection. Violence is never the answer and won’t bring people together.

I give The Legend of Ochi 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The Legend of Ochi releases in select theaters April 18, 2025, and everywhere on April 25, 2025.

The Legend of Ochi

By IvyJoy C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I absolutely love The Legend of Ochi. Unlike movies that I usually like, this is not primarily CGI and special effects. The writer/director, Isaiah Saxon, uses creative and talented acting, cinematography, music and puppetry to create this beautiful film. Everything artistically comes together in an amazing experience.

This storyline is about a withdrawn and lonely girl named Yuri (Helena Zengel) who lives with her father, Maxim (Willem Defoe) and adopted brother, Petro (Finn Wolfhard). Yuri’s village is plagued by the seemingly ferocious, yet undeniably adorable ochi. Yuri rescues and befriends an injured baby ochi (Paul Manalatos). Yuri’s village and her father have taught her to fear the ochi. Despite this, Yuri sets off to return the ochi to its family. Her courageous yet dangerous decision brings change and unity for all.

Willem Defoe plays a much older Peter Pan like character. Dressed in rather silly armor, he leads his band of lost boys on a misguided crusade to get rid of the ochi. Helena Zengel and Emily Watson show a complex mother/daughter relationship. Robert Tygner and the other puppeteers make the baby ochi so adorable. The adult ochi realistically show expressions. This casts’ performances are complex, heartwarming and, at times, comical. The ochi communicate their emotions through what Yuri’s mother, Dasha (actor), called an inborn melody. The soundtrack, composed by David Longstreth, communicates in the same way. It brings a beautifully consistent melody that expresses the essence of each scene throughout the film. Filmed in Romania, the director of photography (Evan Prosofski) brings the beautiful mountains, roads and lakes to life. My favorite part is when Yuri reunites with her parents. The enduring love of a father, the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter, and the strength of family deeply touched me. 

The film’s message is that sometimes you must have the courage to challenge beliefs. It reminds us to look beyond the surface to gain understanding. It also teaches us that fear can sometimes keep us from having great experiences.

I give The Legend of Ochi 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults.  It releases in theaters on April 25, 2025.

The Legend of Ochi

By Avalynn G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 11

 The film The Legend of Ochi is a family adventure film with many unexpected events. I love the visuals in the film. This movie was filmed in very beautiful locations and the settings are perfect for the story.

The storyline follows a young girl named Yuri who finds a small creature called an ochi after she runs away from home. Her whole life, Yuri has been told how scary and harmful the ochi are, so when she finds one, the creature has to gain her trust. The ochi and Yuri go on an adventure to reunite it with its family and, in the end; Yuri gets reunited with her family too.

This movie starts off a little slow, but once I started to understand it, I loved it! The settings for this film are very beautiful, especially the home of the ochi. I love the relationship between Yuri and the baby ochi. When they are separated they always end up finding each other and they always have each other’s back. I love how the movie shows that it is important to have a connection with your family. This movie also shows another culture and a different part of the world which is very interesting. My favorite part of this film is when Yuri finds out she can speak the ochi’s language. The ochi and Yuri are both surprised and have a bonding moment when they discover that they can speak the same language. It really sets the tone for the rest of the film, especially at the end when all the ochi’s communicate with her and the baby ochi.

The film’s message is about family and the importance of connection with everyone, even those who seem different or misunderstood. This film does have some adult language, but other than that it was great!

I give The Legend of Ochi 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. This film releases in theaters April 18, 2025.