Janna and the Kings

Review
By Booklist

In her picture-book debut, which won the publisher’s New Voices Award, Smith tells a tender story about an African American family that effectively captures colloquial phrases and rhythms: ‘Girl, stop pokin’ so slow or you’ll be late for school,” and Boyd’s bright watercolor spreads nicely interpret the characters’ emotions and sense of community. Many children will long for their own Granddaddy, who knows that the ‘princess treatment’ includes listening and encouraging a girl to speak her mind.