Not Yet, Yvette

January 1, 1992
``It would be difficult to find more likable party-givers than this high-spirited heroine and her calmer but equally enthusiastic dad,'' said PW. Ages 3-6.

May 1, 1992
PreS-K- A simply stated picture book about an African-American family's birthday celebration. It's Yvette's mother's birthday, and the child and her father are vacuuming, dusting, baking, shopping, and decorating. The excitement of planning and preparation makes the youngster quite anxious, and Dad is constantly saying, "Not yet, Yvette." The illustrations are uneven. Full-page spreads appear static, and some illustrations of the characters exhibit cartoonlike stylism. The text and illustrations do not set a mood of gentle patience but rather one of annoyance, and the repetitive "Not yet, Yvette" becomes quite obnoxious. A good thematic idea not well executed. -Barbara Osborne Williams, Queen Borough Public Library, Jamaica, NY

March 15, 1992
Ages 3-7. Yvette and her dad clean the house, bake a cake, buy presents and flowers, wrap their gifts, and wait until Mom comes home to yell, "Surprise . . . Happy Birthday!" While it's a simple story, Yvette's excitement, anticipation ("Is it time, yet?" "Not yet, Yvette"), and happiness on this special day make it childlike and believable. Splashed with sunny colors, Trivas' impressionistic watercolor paintings give the picture book an engaging look. One of many recent picture books depicting black children in happy family settings, this will appeal to any child old enough to enjoy secrets and surprises. ((Reviewed Mar. 15, 1992))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1992, American Library Association.)