The protest

When Lily asks her neighbor Mr. Sam why he looks sad, he tells her that their community garden is going to be replaced by a parking lot. Now Lily is upset, and she quickly gathers her friends--and fellow gardeners--to tell them the news. But then she gets a great idea: she'll organize a rally to protest the parking lot! With the help of family and neighbors, Lily and her friends make plans, fliers, signs, and a chant for the big day. In this new installment in the upstanding Confetti Kids beginning-reader series, coded blue for emergent readers, short sentences and simple dialogue accompany watercolor illustrations that reflect Lily's diverse neighborhood and the power kids can have in their communities. The story is followed by critical-thinking questions and activities.

Can Lily and her friends save the community garden? In a plot point that recalls the Joni Mitchell line "They paved paradise / and put up a parking lot," Lily (who presents as a child of color with brown skin and curly brown hair in Ng-Benitez's outstanding illustrations) is sad to learn that their community garden will be demolished to make way for a parking lot. After talking with her mom (who shares her coloring), Lily organizes a protest with the multiracial group of friends introduced on the title page and featured throughout this series. They create posters, talk with neighbors, invite reporters, and make up a chant: "No, cars no! Let our garden grow!" In an almost happily-ever-after--and respectfully realistic--resolution, a neighbor gets a call during the rally and reports that "the builders would wait until next year to build the parking lot." Lily resolves to fight on, but for now the community is happy they've saved the garden. Ng-Benitez also illustrates a simultaneously publishing companion title, Pablo's Pet, which lends the series a sense of artistic cohesion. Author Sheri Tan's text in Pablo's Pet sensitively recounts the Latinx protagonist dealing with grief over the death of his pet fish, with help from friends and family. Another solid addition to an excellent, diverse early-reader series. (activity page) (Early reader. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.