I Believe in You

June 13, 2011
While the vignettes in Richmond's latest inspirational picture book are intended for the elementary school set (her characters grapple with not getting picked for a team, being scared of monsters in the closet, and jumping off the diving board), what human, of any age, couldn't use this kind of cheering up: "When your project seems too hard,/ and you want to go to bed,/ I believe in your smart thinking/ to learn and grow instead." Feel-good, you-can-do-it stories often sag under the weight of their own preciousness, but Richmond has found her sweet spot (though it may still be too saccharine for some). The succinct, plainspoken text employs figurative language with a light touch ("When the day dips up and down/ like a roller coaster ride"), and her pastel watercolors strike the right balance between astute observation and a breezy, naïf aesthetic. There are even a few surprises, like the overhead view of a once-frightened child snuggling with one of the closet monsters. Even those who aren't fond of this genre will recognize that Richmond knows how to craft a book with broad commercial appeal. Ages 4âup.

June 1, 2011

Well-intentioned cheerleading falls flat.

Richmond endeavors here to exhort those stellar qualities that squire us past the inevitable bumps in the road of life. Have a moment of weakness? "I believe in your brave spirit." Your best friend treats you unkindly? "I believe in your playful heart." Smart thinking, awesome skills, true courage, stand-up truth—no one would say these attributes aren't worthy, but it is difficult to imagine how young readers are going to make them their own via these watery watercolors and chirpy, sometimes atonal verses: "When the day dips up and down / like a roller coaster ride, / I believe in your quick laugh / to love the lows and highs." Shrug them off, maybe, but why would a quick laugh result in loving the lows in your day? To salute a child's great attitude in persevering through something new and difficult is well and good, but what is a kid supposed to make of, "When you look into the mirror / and question who you see, / I believe in your true beauty / that shines through from you to me"?

Despite its overall good intentions, the book feels rushed and ill considered, with little offered by way of identification to get readers involved. (Picture book. 4-8)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

August 1, 2011

K-Gr 1-A simple, feel-good concept book. Told in rhyme, the message-to be the best you can be-is emphasized in a predictable manner. Each rhyme demonstrates ways readers may achieve that goal. Challenges such as developing skills, finding loyal friends, admitting mistakes, and generally growing up can be met with support and love. "When learning something new/makes you want to stop and quit, /I believe in your great attitude, /to go and conquer it!" The large font highlights in color the words that emphasize the message, and the whimsical, cartoonlike illustrations in watercolor and ink have humorous details. While not distinctive, this book may prove useful in a character-development curriculum.-Margaret R. Tassia, Millersville University, PA

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2012
Focused on fostering self-esteem, Richmond celebrates positive character traits--such as honesty and playfulness--as she offers children encouraging words for days when life is difficult. "I believe in your awesome skills..." she says, "I believe in your brave spirit..." Unfortunately, clumsy writing mars the well-intentioned verses, and the faux-childlike illustrations are functional but bland.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)