Some Do, Some Don’t by Dipacho

Some Do, Some Don’t by Dipacho. Translated by Octavia Saenz. Mineditions, 2023. 9781662650956






Rating:  1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4



Format : Hardcover picture book



What did you like about the book? “Some of us have no family. / Others do. / Some of us take off on our own, / and some like company.” Dipacho talks about how families are different by showing various groupings of jabirus, a giant bird from South America. (Readers find out abut jabirus at the end.) By showing that some of us have no family, or that some of us are different from our family, or that some family members “have left us, / and aren’t here anymore,” kids can see that many families are not complete. It’s a reassuring message that is delivered simply but with profound wisdom.



Dipacho’s charming, whimsical art is paint with scratch elements, and his birds are regal but are imbued with human attributes by their poses. Young readers will enjoy pointing out in the art what the text is saying, and adults will appreciate the the message.



Anything you didn’t like about it? No



To whom would you recommend this book?   Hand this to families of small children who want books about different or changing family constellations.



Who should buy this book?  Daycare centers and public libraries



Where would you shelve it ? Picture books



Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No



Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA



Date of review:  April 22, 2023