Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Can a Valentine's Day gesture be too big? The answer is a resounding "nope" in Woitas's sweet picture book debut, a realistic chronicle about a boy who pulls out all the stops to fit his humongous feelings into a glittery heart-shaped Valentine. Bobby, portrayed with pale skin and large blue glasses, wants to be sure that Eddie, shown with brown skin and a backward ball cap, knows how special Bobby thinks he is. After the two dress as a prince and night for Halloween, Bobby hopes that they'll "grow up and live in a castle and be a prince and knight for real one day." Only a massive, sparkly, carefully crafted card, whose creation Rivera Sonda illustrates involving common kid art supplies, will convey this sentiment. But when Bobby struggles to lug his creation off the bus and to their classroom, he experiences a twinge of doubt about Eddie's feelings. This bright story's appropriately bighearted ending may well have readers confidently grabbing glitter and glue. Background characters are portrayed with various abilities and skin tones. Ages 4--8. (Dec.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1--A heartwarming story that celebrates the power of friendship and self-expression. At the heart is the friendship between Bobby and Eddie, and Bobby's desire to give Eddie the perfect Valentine's Day card. Woven into the narrative are simple LGBTQIA+ themes, as Bobby worries about how Eddie might react to his heartfelt card and fears the judgment of others. This nuanced exploration of identity and self-acceptance adds depth to the story. The illustrations in this book are bright, detailed, and visually stimulating, filled with vibrant colors and intricate details. What's particularly striking is the contrast between the cartoon depictions of the two young protagonists, Bobby and Eddie, and the more sketchlike, imaginative renderings of their dreams and inner thoughts. This visual style perfectly complements the narrative, highlighting the characters' emotional journeys. The text is written in simple, easy-to-follow sentences with vocabulary well-suited for young readers who are building their literacy skills. However, the story also has a few slightly longer sentences, making it an engaging read for those with a growing attention span. VERDICT A delightful and meaningful read that celebrates the power of friendship, self-expression, and the magic of childhood. It would be a wonderful addition to any library or classroom, providing a relatable and affirming story for young readers.--Haley Amendt
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Big feelings call for a big valentine. Bobby, a tan-skinned youngster with round spectacles, is smitten with his best friend, Eddie, a brown-skinned boy with a gap-toothed smile. Bobby and Eddie are inseparable. They ride bikes, they bake cookies, and for Halloween they even dress up together as a knight and prince. For Valentine's Day, Bobby wants to show Eddie how much he means to him with a very special card. He has some pretty bold criteria: "The card would have to be colorful…and sparkly…andBIG! As big as Bobby's heart felt when they were together." Bobby creates a large heart cutout with many layers of meaning (and many layers of glue). Along the way, he has flashes of insecurity but also strong moments of resolve. "He [has] to believe that Eddie [will] always be by his side." When the pair meet at school, Eddie has an equally large card for Bobby. In an explosion of hearts, rainbows, butterflies, and sparkles--along with the biggest, most joyful smiles on the two tots' faces--Bobby and Eddie show the world their true feelings. Woitas expertly charts the quiet but potent dramas that Bobby experiences, while Sonda's art--which turns delightfully childlike for images of the card--sets a gentle tone. This is a charming queer read-aloud, ideal for Valentine's Day or at any time of year. Demonstrates the courage of following your heart.(Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
