January 1, 2024
Daniel (Daniel Finds a Poem; Daniel's Good Day, rev. 7/19) is back in another open-hearted, child-friendly picture book. It's spring, and Daniel is meeting his grandfather in the park. When Grandpa asks him what's new, Daniel heads off to find out. He learns that his favorite rock is soaking up the sun, the redwing blackbirds are back, ducklings have hatched, a snake has shed its skin, tadpoles are growing legs. Daniel reports his findings and then updates Grandpa with his own news: he can whistle like blackbirds; he "can run fast 'cause [his] legs are growing, just like the pollywogs'"; and he has a new tooth, just as the snake has a new skin. The book ends with our thoughtful hero turning the tables: "Now it's your turn, Grandpa...what's new with you?" Archer's expertly composed double-page-spread illustrations, in "acrylic inks and collage, using patterned collage papers created by the author," portray a world bursting with life and vivid color: the deep blues and greens of the ducklings' pond; the light green of new leaves; the bright spots of red on the blackbirds. (Red is also the color of Daniel's hoodie, surely a call-out to The Snowy Day.) From the spectacular illustrations to the warm relationship between Daniel and Grandpa to Daniel's curiosity about the natural world, there's much to savor here; and the question of "what's new?" may elicit a wealth of reader response and interaction. Martha V. Parravano
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)
Starred review from January 1, 2024
Spring is here. Daniel is an inquisitive tyke, and when Grandpa asks him what's new, the investigation is on. Daniel searches all over a lush park nestled at the center of the city. Stunning illustrations rendered in acrylic ink and patterned paper collage depict a bright and richly textured world as the child climbs his favorite rock beneath the warm sun and hears the whistling of redwing blackbirds flying by. The cattails tell him that winter has come to an end, Mother Duck says that her babies are hatching, and Polliwog is growing legs. Snake, Squirrel, and Butterfly also add to the chorus of voices offering Daniel lively updates on what's changing in the world around him. By the end, he's more than prepared to answer Grandpa's original question with details of the flora and fauna; he also tells Grandpa how his own recently discovered whistling ability, new tooth, and growing legs fit into the bigger picture of the natural world. "Now it's your turn, Grandpa," Daniel says, shifting focus as the book ends with a dynamic backdrop of park goers--human and animal--on a path beneath a tree canopy. Featuring appealing, child-centered text and lush visuals, this tale will surely lead readers to more adventurous investigations of their own. Grandpa and Daniel present Black. A beautiful invitation to spring for the curious nature lover. (Picture book. 4-8)
COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Starred review from February 15, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 *Starred Review* On a springtime excursion to a city park, Daniel, the inquisitive boy from Daniel Finds a Poem (2016) and Daniel's Good Day (2022), finds many answers to the common question, "What's new?" Exploring his surroundings, the child climbs his favorite rock and asks what it has been up to lately ("Just been sitting right here soaking up the sun for a million years"). There's lots of activity at the pond: the cattails report they are scattering their seeds, Mother Duck proudly announces her ducklings are hatching, and the polliwogs show off their growing legs. The spare text has pleasing repetition, infectious energy, and a poetic, circular rhythm. When Snake reveals it has shed its old skin, Daniel chimes in with some news of his own: "Well, I just lost a tooth . . . Old one fell out. New one's coming in! See?" Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator Archer's signature stunning collages, created with layered tissue paper and handmade stamps, are a glorious kaleidoscope of prismatic colors, textured patterns, and fresh perspectives. After taking the time to notice and appreciate the wonders of nature all around him, Daniel recounts his discoveries to his Grandpa. This exquisite, evergreen picture book is a natural conversation starter.
COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Starred review from March 15, 2024
PreS-Gr 1-This gentle story recognizes the value of quiet simplicity, of stopping to notice little transformations in the world around us. Readers were introduced to Archer's thoughtful, endearing protagonist in Daniel Finds a Poem, which mined delicate imagery from tiny slivers of nature. The sequel, Daniel's Good Day, looked outward to the experiences of the young boy's family and community. This latest entry combines the two approaches, using a get-together in the park with a beloved grandfather as the jumping-off point for a meditation on life and its many changes. When Grandpa asks him the titular question, Daniel takes off on his own, using his signature empathic connection with his surroundings to commune with tadpoles growing legs, redwing blackbirds fresh from a migratory flight, and even a rock silently soaking up the sun's rays. As in the previous two books, Daniel summarizes these discoveries in a long descriptive passage, synthesizing his observations into a poetic but perfectly age-appropriate snapshot of his environment. Archer's combination of acrylic ink and collage with patterned paper boasts as much eye-popping color and detail as ever. The lush spreads immerse readers in the hum and swish of a warm spring day at the park. Daniel himself is given a range of animated expressions and poses, loping across a string of pond rocks, throwing his arms wide to address a squirrel high up in a tree, gazing lovingly up at his grandpa's face.VERDICT An inviting celebration of the wonders of nature, and a highly recommended purchase for all collections.-Jonah Dragan
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
January 1, 2024
Daniel (Daniel Finds a Poem; Daniel's Good Day, rev. 7/19) is back in another open-hearted, child-friendly picture book. It's spring, and Daniel is meeting his grandfather in the park. When Grandpa asks him what's new, Daniel heads off to find out. He learns that his favorite rock is soaking up the sun, the redwing blackbirds are back, ducklings have hatched, a snake has shed its skin, tadpoles are growing legs. Daniel reports his findings and then updates Grandpa with his own news: he can whistle like blackbirds; he "can run fast 'cause �his] legs are growing, just like the pollywogs'"; and he has a new tooth, just as the snake has a new skin. The book ends with our thoughtful hero turning the tables: "Now it's your turn, Grandpa...what's new with you?" Archer's expertly composed double-page-spread illustrations, in "acrylic inks and collage, using patterned collage papers created by the author," portray a world bursting with life and vivid color: the deep blues and greens of the ducklings' pond; the light green of new leaves; the bright spots of red on the blackbirds. (Red is also the color of Daniel's hoodie, surely a call-out to The Snowy Day.) From the spectacular illustrations to the warm relationship between Daniel and Grandpa to Daniel's curiosity about the natural world, there's much to savor here; and the question of "what's new?" may elicit a wealth of reader response and interaction.
(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)