Little Wonder

Keane imagines the voice of a faithful, caring adult following a youth on a splendid undersea adventure. As a brown-skinned child readies for the day in a bedroom awash in blues and lavenders, opening lines read, "There is no place too far/ no dream too grand--/ for an unstoppable/ Little Wonder like you." Images blend underwater allure and ordinary life as the child packs a knapsack, downs a plateful of pancakes, and marches off into the wilds of the sea, accompanied by an ever-present cheering voice. The scary skeleton of a huge predator doesn't stop them ("The night may be dark, but/ your courage is bright"), and the child pushes on into the gloom with their flashlight. When they return home, the voice is revealed as that of the child's adult caregiver, who listens with loving attention as they recount the events of a day nourished by authentic support. Ages 3--5. (Mar.)

"With every step you take, adventure skips along beside you." An adventurous young Black boy who lives in an underwater kingdom waves goodbye to his mother (also Black) as he sets out for a day of outdoor fun and exploration. While he is away, the second-person narrator, who is an extension of the boy's mother, muses about all of the things that the boy--her "Little Wonder"--will see, do, and experience on his literal and metaphorical journeys through the world. He will make surprising discoveries, meet new friends, "find hidden pathways that lead to wonderful treasures," and discover that "the world is boundless." Confirming the mother's vision, the illustrations show the boy following a treasure map that leads him to a dazzling banquet hall; befriending sea creatures and a friendly monster; and even visiting the terrestrial world. There are challenges and moments of fear, but the boy can be assured of what the mother-narrator promises: "I'm always with you," and "I will forever be your biggest fan." A dreamlike quality surrounds this gentle fantasy whose narrative thrust recalls Seuss' All the Places You'll Go (1990). Narrated in a tone reminiscent of greeting-card verse (of the better variety), the story brims with positivity, encourages children's independence, and celebrates the bond between caregiver and child. The warm, digitally rendered illustrations show imaginative undersea landscapes that will draw young readers in. A reassuring daydream of a book that will foster a sense of life's possibilities in children. (Picture book. 2-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.