The Little Red Stroller

February 15, 2019
An inclusive picture book that celebrates sharing, connecting, variety, and community.A stroller can provide convenience, transportation, and comfort for little ones and caregivers alike. The titular red stroller carries a young girl named Luna to school and the playground, as well as on weekend errands that include yummy pizza. When Luna outgrows the stroller, her mother passes it on to her neighbors. The stroller is next shared with a little girl and her father who visit her grandfather. Among the stroller's owners are caregivers who are interracial, same-sex, Muslim, South Asian, single, and more, along with children who are multiracial and (probably) adopted, each depicted uniquely, with a wide variety of skin colors, body shapes, hairstyles, etc. The stroller-sharing device becomes a bit tedious (it changes hands nine times before it falls apart, to be replaced with a newer yellow stroller). Nevertheless, in today's divisive society, this book's message--however heavy-handed it might be--bears emphasizing. Wu's bright, digital art offers a multitude of tiny details to discover, and sharp-eyed readers will find a series of colorful dots to help them follow the stroller's travels. Vivid colors evoke the happiness the characters feel as they look out for one another.Pair an array of characters that vary in gender, color, age, religion, size, and shape with a variety of settings, and you have a powerful message of inclusivity and diversity. (Picture book. 4-8)

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April 1, 2019

PreS-K-Many families share a stroller in this inspiring picture book about kindness and community. When Luna is just two weeks old, her mother gives her a little red stroller. She uses it to go to many places in town, including school and the playground. When she outgrows the stroller, she passes it on to a neighboring family with a little boy. Over the years, the stroller is passed from one family to the next until it is too "tattered and tired" to go any farther. A new yellow stroller takes its place and ends up being given to Luna, who is now grown and has a baby of her own. The digital illustrations are joyful and warm, with lots of textures and shadows. Each spread has a well-designed layout and a cohesive, cheerful palette. Colorful dots depict the stroller's path all over town and draw readers' eyes across each spread. The pages portray a variety of diverse families who take the stroller to a farm, a farmers' market, a campground, a beach, and a Japanese garden, as well as on different modes of transportation. The detailed illustrations allow much to be discovered on every page and reinforce the background knowledge gleaned from the text. The children demonstrate a selfless attitude when giving away the stroller with the refrain, "I'm too big for it now. Why don't you take it?" VERDICT A celebration of fellowship and sharing. An encouraging story to read aloud to a group or one-on-one.-Lauren White, Wake County Public Libraries, NC

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2019
In a tranquil story about community, sharing, and simple acts of kindness, Furst introduces a friendly red stroller that a new mother gives to her baby daughter, Luna. Luna and her mother use the stroller on weekends about town, until Luna outgrows it: “I’m too big for my stroller now. Why don’t you take it?” Luna tells a neighbor child. That family in turn gives it to a third, and the giving and receiving continues. Wu’s illustrations, featuring subdued pastels with bright color accents, show families of different backgrounds—including same-sex and biracial couples—on pleasant outings in urban and rural settings. It’s easy to become attached to a familiar object like a stroller, Furst hints, but sharing with others is a gift that keeps giving. Ages 4–8.