CBR15Passport author
The funny thing is, “sweet” does not always do it for me (unless it is a donut or chocolate). However, once in awhile a book that is sweet gets me in the feels. That is because it is sweet but not overly, sickening sweet (like three York peppermint patties and a mug of hot chocolate). And One Sweet Song falls in the former sweet category.
Rhyming text takes us through a neighborhood when one person, while sitting on a balcony, plays a note on an instrument, then another joins, making two. Then a third, fourth and so on. Then as the evening draws in, we slowly count down to one and then none. The instruments rang from violins, spoons, guitar, buttons in a jar, drums, singers and even dancers. The art of Sonia Sanchez is fun, quirky and sweet. Bringing in classically elements and modern feelings, the colors pop and the (I want to think warm summer evening) setting comes alive.
The publisher description says this is a book of community and inspired by the Italian balcony singers during the pandemic.
Jyoti Rajan Gopal’s story is due in January 2024. I know that might be a long time to wait, but you can find American Desi in the meantime, also by Gopal. And the illustrations are by Supriya Kelkar. Here we have a young girl trying to balance her Indian background and family, but as she says, also her “American roots.” As we float around (seriously! I almost got seasick from all the colors and swirls and lines, and sweet stuff), we find how she learns to balance not just on a surfboard, but her cultures. All of this comes to life in amazing color and busy illustrations.
The author enjoys doing rhyming text, and that is also in American Desi. Which makes since as they are/were a kindergarten teacher. Therefore, this book is good for the at least four/five crowd (can be adapted for younger) up to about seven or eight.
I am looking for a reader copy of Desert Queen (due October 2023) and a copy of My Paati’s Saris (which was published November 202).
