*Review* The Cousins Are Coming by Kay Jones MA

Genre: Children's 3-8 years

Published: May 23, 2023

Pages: 32

What happens when the annual family ‘ get-together’ commences? This AWARD-WINNING Book of the Year (Story Monster Magazine and IndieReader) answers through humor, mischief, a twinge of jealousy, an abundance of mayhem, and a healthy dose of pure joy! Through lyrical rhyme and colorful, humorous illustrations readers will realize that “ The cousins are coming!” — followed by a “ dash out the door to meet the crew… with hugs and laughter and a kiss or two. “ YUCK!” From ‘ rock-paper-scissors’ to unauthorized spying on the parents, the gathering of two families presents relatable interactions between children, some coming-of-age moments, a touch of tenderness, and the building of memories.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This is my honest review. 

This was a cute rhyming story about cousins visiting, and all the chaos that a visit from family entails. The kids do all sorts of fun things, all the kinds of things you think children that are in the same age range should do when they get together, and honestly, this book sounded like way more fun for the kids than my kids experience when when visiting their cousins. 

If my kids were younger, I'd probably be inclined to read this several times, but that is partially because we just didn't live close enough to cousins to visit when my kids were younger (there was an entire ocean between us). The illustrations were very colorful and fun, perfectly showing all the hijinks the kids get up to. 

Overall I give The Cousins are Coming 3.7843 out of 5 stars. - Katie 

Amazon

Kay Jones is a forty-year educator having taught in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and currently in Dallas, Texas. If not the kids in her classroom, then her five grandchildren are inspiring her to think and learn, but most importantly to laugh. The Cousins are Coming is Kay's first picture book and it shows the love, the hilarity, and the struggles that occur when the cousins in her family join forces. Kay originally wrote this rhyme as a piece for children to perform as a reader's theater, while encouraging them to add their special touches to the performance. With roots in Little Rock, Arkansas and as an educator in the Dallas, Kay brings her wit and zest for literacy to classrooms each day, and now her own unique touch to the printed page.Peter Trimarco started his professional doodling career as an editorial cartoonist before turning to commercial art and designing packaging for the music industry. While staying in the entertainment field, he published a trade magazine for the film industry and brought his creative juices to the printed page for youngsters. Peter is the illustrator of the critically acclaimed "It's Just So" book series (Lizzy's World) which he co-wrote with his wife, Brenda Faatz.