Review by Booklist Review
Jenny Mei's best friend, a brown-skinned girl with rosy cheeks and hair pulled into Afro puffs, is the understanding narrator of this story. She thinks the world of Jenny, who is kind, cheerful, and easily the most hilarious kid in their class--even on days when Jenny isn't feeling her best. However, Jenny sometimes goes too far. One day, she rips a classmate's paper and has to stay after class to talk to the teacher. Her bestie patiently waits for her and, sensing that Jenny might be sad, buys her a Popsicle on the way home. Subisak sweetly shows, in word and art, how friends are supposed to stick together, even during the not-so-fun times. Her illustrations in india ink, Japanese watercolor, pastel, and colored pencils use expressive brushstrokes and are set against simple backgrounds that employ spare color, capturing each scene's mood perfectly. Children who read this book will both learn the importance and responsibility of being a true friend and feel the comfort of having a friend through thick and thin.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Subisak's Black narrator knows their East Asian--appearing friend Jenny Mei's sadness may be difficult for others to notice; after all, she's funny, and she still smiles. Some days are difficult, but when Jenny Mei acts out, the narrator knows what to do: get ice pops, play kick the rock, and ask how their friend is, even if Jenny Mei doesn't feel up to answering. As Subisak tenderly reveals through simple, immediate first-person narration, the best way to support a pal is to stand by them "for fun and not-fun and everything in between." Dynamic art in India ink, Japanese watercolor, pastel, and colored pencil centers the children's shifting emotions, working seamlessly with the text to reveal even more, including the circumstance behind Jenny Mei's feelings. A sensitive, gracefully wrought portrait of compassion. Ages 4--8. (June)
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Review by Horn Book Review
You can't always tell when Jenny Mei is feeling blue. "Even when she's sad, she still smiles," confides the book's unnamed narrator, Jenny Mei's friend. Most days the girl's sadness is unnoticeable as she entertains and delights her classmates. "But some days are not as fun." On this day, Jenny Mei angrily rips a classmate's paper in two. With a page-turn we see the assignment written on the chalkboard: "Draw your family!" On nearly every desk is an outline of that student's presumed family members, while Jenny Mei's paper is simply scribbled over (perhaps a hint at her distress). Thankfully, her teacher provides a listening ear after class, and Jenny Mei leaves school hand-in-hand with her friend, quietly, but more at ease, knowing she has love and support regardless of her mood. Subisak's illustrations, rendered in India ink, Japanese watercolor, pastel, and colored pencil, are bold in color yet delicate in detail. Several pages have a blank white background, bringing more emphasis to both the words and Jenny Mei's expressions. The text is simple yet thoughtful, painting our narrator as the empathetic friend she is. A touching note in the author's bio shares her connection to her protagonist's experience. Hill Saxton November/December 2021 p.84(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Jenny Mei may smile and joke around, but her best friend knows that inside, she is sad. A small, unnamed Black child with two Afro puffs describes best friend Jenny Mei (who presents Asian): a girl who can smile, share, and make people laugh even though she's sad. But when Jenny Mei has a bad day and acts out in school, the narrator is there for her in all the ways a friend can be: waiting after school while Jenny talks with the teacher, being a good listener, or just being together--with popsicles. After a quiet walk, a game of kick the rock, and a quick exhibition of blue and purple tongues, Jenny Mei begins to cry. But our narrator is there with her, "for fun and not-fun and everything in between." The multiplicity of emotions and depth of friendship are conveyed by Subisak's deceptively simple text (averaging one sentence per spread) and whimsical, attentive illustrations. The characters are drawn with black outlines, colorful outfits, and dots for eyes that seem to say it all. And while the reason Jenny Mei is sad is never explicitly stated, subtle clues will give perceptive readers an idea of what's happening in her life. Focus, however, stays on what is most important: the quiet support of a friend who understands. Intelligently and sympathetically demonstrates that children have complex emotional lives too. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
