Fiction - African American, Poetry - Rhymes, Nursery Rhymes & Fingerplays, Fiction - Family Life, Fiction - U. S. People, Places & Cultures

Whose Knees Are These?

Name: Whose Knees Are These?
Author: Jabari Asim
ISBN: 9780316735766

by Jabari Asim, LeUyen Pham

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Overview

Takes a loving look at knees from the vantage point of a mother's lap.

Synopsis

Takes a loving look at knees from the vantage point of a mother's lap.

Child Magazine

Only on the last page do we finally see the mysterious owner of two highly praised knees, "so brown and so strong, to whom do these fine knees belong?" Kids are teased with close-ups of a little boy's knees running, swinging from a tree, and dangling from a boat right up until the book's conclusion: "Now I know they belong to you!" For parents partial to chubby little feet, the companion board book -- with a girl protagonist -- offers the same suspense and opportunities for tickling and smooching. (Ages Birth to 2)
Child magazine's Best Children's Book Awards 2006

About the Author, Jabari Asim

Jabari Asim is an accomplished poet, playwright and fiction writer and has published work in a number of anthologies and literary magazines. He writes a weekly column, syndicated by the Washington Post Writers Group and serves as the Senior Editor of the Washington Post Book World. He lives outside of Washington D.C., with his wife and five children.
LeUyen Pham was born in Saigon, Vietnam and grew up in Southern California. She attended the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA where she earned a degree in Illustration. LeUyen worked as a layout artist for Dreamworks before illustrating children's books full-time. She has illustrated over a dozen books.

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Editorials

From The Critics

Children's Literature

In a rhyming text, Jabari celebrates knees—not just any knees, but those of a sweet young boy. Pham has created an African-American toddler with bright red sneakers, yellow pants, and an accompanying red shirt. He is all boy: he dangles from a tree, climbs stairs, and stands on his head. No matter whether one is white, brown, or black, this board book is full of appeal as it celebrates the sweetness of a young toddler who is obviously loved and cared for. 2006, Little Brown, Ages 6 mo. to 2.
—Marilyn Courtot

School Library Journal

PreS-In these books, playful rhymes answer the title question. "Knees like these/don't grow on trees." "Ten little lovelies/all in a row./ Whose toes are those?/ Do you know?" On each spread, viewers get a glimpse of the youngster in question. On the final spread, the book takes a vertical twist to show the whole, laughing child. The stories are sweet and simple, and children will enjoy bending knees or wiggling toes along with the protagonists. The illustrations were sketched in graphite and painted digitally; they are warm and lively with swirls of color and friendly animals looking on. The text refers to knees "so brown and so strong" and toes "so brown and sweet." These titles will add welcome diversity to board-book collections.-Amelia Jenkins, Juneau Public Library, AK Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.