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inkney, Brian. Time for Kenny. Brian Pinkney, Illus. Picture Book. Greenwillow, 01/2021. [40]pp. $17.99. 978-0-06-073528-9. OUTSTANDING. GRADES PRE-1.
Two-time Caldecott honor winner Pinkney is both author and illustrator of this book. His artwork (acrylic and ink on paper) is full of movement and color. The book is a view of four moments of Kenny’s day: getting dressed, navigating his distrust of the vacuum cleaner which seems to eat everything in its path, playing soccer with his big sister, and going to bed. The story itself is not much different from what you might see in many other picture books for young children (apart from the vacuum cleaner sequence, which is unique). But this day-in-the-life story that features a vibrant and joyful young Black boy and his family fills a space in children’s literature that is still lacking. Pinkney’s masterful illustrations set the perfect tone for preschool children.
Rachael Reiley, San Jose State University, iSchool