BookFrontier
Jabari Tries by Gaia Cornwall

Book

Jabari Tries

Gaia Cornwall

Candlewick Press · Print & ebook · October 21, 2025

Reading lane: US: African American Stories

A Picture Books pick for readers exploring Jabari Tries.

At a Glance

Why This Clicks

Trying Another Way

A backyard flying machine turns frustration into a small, family-shaped lesson in perseverance.

Come here for

  • A young inventor facing a stubborn first try
  • Dad’s pep talk and Nika’s fairy-winged assistance

Expect

  • Warm family support alongside real frustration
  • Mixed-media illustrations and a story about flexible thinking

Book Details

Authors
Gaia Cornwall
Publisher
Candlewick Press
Published
October 21, 2025
Format
Print & ebook
Theme
US: African American Stories · Gymnastics Stories
Reading lane
US: African American Stories

Affinity

Publisher Categories

  • Sibling Stories

  • Inventions & Inventors

  • Big Feelings

About This Book

“Jabari’s emotional ups and downs will be familiar to young children, and his hard-won success feels triumphant. Jabari succeeds, and so does this book.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Jabari is making a flying machine in his backyard! “It’ll be easy. I don’t need any help,” he declares. But it doesn’t work! Jabari is frustrated. Good thing Dad is there for a pep talk and his little sister, Nika, is there to assist, fairy wings and all. With the endearing father-child dyn...

Read full description

“Jabari’s emotional ups and downs will be familiar to young children, and his hard-won success feels triumphant. Jabari succeeds, and so does this book.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Jabari is making a flying machine in his backyard! “It’ll be easy. I don’t need any help,” he declares. But it doesn’t work! Jabari is frustrated. Good thing Dad is there for a pep talk and his little sister, Nika, is there to assist, fairy wings and all. With the endearing father-child dynamic of Jabari Jumps and engaging mixed-media illustrations, Gaia Cornwall’s tale shows that through perseverance and flexibility, an inventive thought can become a brilliant reality.

Similar Books