The Cousins Are Coming

Overview

What happens when the annual family ‘get-together’ commences? 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. Kay Jones’ first picture book is more than a playbook for friendship, it also captures the gift of family.

Reviews

"Forthright and sweet, this picture book depicts an enjoyable, loving visit with family… In Kay Jones’s boisterous picture book the children anticipate a day full of lighthearted adventures—their rambunctious interactions even include the opinions of their pets. The cartoon illustrations… with fun embellishments that stretch the scale of objects…make use of a soft palette and minimized backgrounds, drawing attention to the children’s actions, which are sometimes disorderly and at other times silly." —Foreword Reviews

"A nostalgic picture book that distills the energy of an extended-family visit. Adventures begin when relatives arrive in this debut rhyming celebration of kid-centered family time. Jones captures the frantic excitement of spending time with beloved family members who might only visit a few times a year…Trimarco’s full-color cartoon illustrations aptly capture the chaos." —Kirkus Reviews

“Kay Jones has created a short, sweet story of rhymes for kids to enjoy. The combination of quirky characters and hilariously funny dialogue and rhymes are bound to entertain children of all ages. Peter Trimarco's illustrations are the icing on the cake, making it even more enjoyable. I can't recommend this one enough.” – Pikasho Deka for Readers’ Favorite

“In the fun-filled, lyrical picture book, a family’s get-together turns chaotic but ends in fun and joy. The story is a beautiful portrait of family relationships. I enjoyed the many hilarious comments and found the children’s experiences heart-warming. It is an excellent addition to any young reader’s library.” – Edith Wairimu for Readers’ Favorite

“This book provides an excellent opportunity not only to enjoy an endearing narrative but also to learn the great gift that family represents. The lyrical rhyme enhanced the reading pleasure… I adored the richness of the illustrations and how they captured the children's liveliness and delight.” – Laura Imaz for Readers’ Favorite

"Your children can never have enough bedtime reading or raining day shut-in days to be read to and this new book of Kay Jones is truly a great book to read to your child or grandchild. The cover alone will get their attention with the brilliant colors and the children in the tree and hanging out of the window of the moving car. The kids will be begging you to turn the page to learn more about the cousin’s coming. With the dog and hiding cat, they will want you to read it many times over." —Judy Shields, The Hollywood Times

Author Biography

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.