We are a song

PreS-Gr 1--Inspired by some of the author's own experience growing up in a multicultural family, this gentle story follows young mixed-race siblings Arturo and Emilyn as they spend the day helping their amah get ready for a family party. As the kids visit Ta, then Yeh Yeh, and Abuelo, as well as other relatives to gather food and decorations, they consider how every person offers something special, yet they combine to form a family "like different ingredients mixed together," colors of the rainbow, or musical notes in a song. Emilyn composes a poem about this realization and the duo reads it to their baby brother at the end of the party. Throughout the story, the brother and sister are invariably kind and supportive of each other in an exemplary way that few siblings usually sustain in real life. Tu's cozy cartoon-style mixed-media illustrations set against neighborhood backgrounds show scenes of family love and togetherness. A brief author's note explains how figuring out her family in childhood was frequently "frustrating and lonely" though she eventually came to appreciate its uniqueness. VERDICT An uplifting celebration of diversity and family, sure to be welcome in many collections.--Yelena Voysey

What does it mean to be a family? Arturo and his sister, Emilyn, who are of Chinese and Latine heritage, seek inspiration for Emilyn's poem about their family as they set off to pick up supplies for a big party. From the delicious cakes at Tía Cari's bakery to the colorful kites at Yeh Yeh's toy shop to dominoes at Abuelo's house, they discover something at each stop that sparks their imaginations. Their family members may be different from one another, but just like ingredients in a cake, colors in a rainbow, or notes in a song, they are part of something special together. The story engages the senses, whether it's the sound of oil in Amah's wok going "ping-ping-ping," the scent of Tía's pastries, or the sensation of a falling petal fluttering on Arturo's face like Mama's kisses. All these moments help evoke a relatable feeling of familial love. The title could have benefitted from a glossary or more context for readers unfamiliar with terms in Chinese or Spanish such as dan tat or palmita. Still, the message of the beauty in united differences shines through. Digitally rendered watercolor, gouache, ink, and colored pencil illustrations bring to life a cast of wide-eyed, big-headed characters whose love for one another is apparent. The author's note reveals that the story was inspired by her own journey to embrace her multiracial background. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A sweet celebration of the different notes that create the song of family. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.