Etta Extraordinaire goes to the White House

PreS-Gr 2--It is an extraordinary sight to see the cherry trees blooming in Washington, DC. In this charming book, Etta and her class are going to visit the White House during this spectacular time. Etta is an exuberant Black girl who practically dances onto the bus, so great is her excitement about the upcoming journey. Etta loves pink, and she knows all about the cherry blossoms from her grandmother. Upon arrival, Etta's teacher announces that the class will vote upon their White House activity in accordance with democratic principles. Etta proposes a cherry blossom party on the White House lawn, while painting the cherry blossom petals, listening to the sound of birds, and eating pink ice pops and cupcakes. To Etta's delight, her idea wins, and the whole class begins to decorate enthusiastically. However, when a downpour begins, Etta's joy proves short-lived. While Etta mourns the loss of her outside party, her classmates are busy moving the party inside the White House. When Etta finally walks inside, she is greeted by her smiling friends and the best cherry blossom party ever. She concludes that she has extraordinary friends because they are creative, adaptable, and supportive. Burgett's digital drawings of the large-eyed, diverse classmates radiate happiness, and the background illustrations are suffused with plenty of pink while capturing the beauty of cherry blossoms. VERDICT An uplifting story that celebrates the idea of "extraordinary," which includes the story's heroine, one's friends, and Japan's gift of cherry trees to the nation's capital.--Sally A. James

Etta Extraordinaire is back and getting ready to take a trip to the U.S. capital. As the school bus arrives in Washington, D.C., Etta's thrilled to see the cherry blossoms blooming and the city turning "pink, pink, pink!" On the White House lawn, her teacher, Ms. Prabhu, tells the children they'll vote on the day's activities, "the same way they decide things" here in Washington. Chloe proposes playing hide-and-seek. Emilio wants to play tug-of-war. Isaac hopes to visit the Presidential Library. Etta suggests having a cherry blossom party on the lawn. The kids make speeches and put their ideas to a vote, and Etta's wins in a landslide victory. She and her classmates lay down a blanket, prepare treats, decorate the lawn, and sit down to enjoy the fruits of their labor. But when it begins to rain, the kids must move the party indoors to the White House's Red Room, and the party is a smashing success. Kitted out in a wide-brimmed pink hat, a star-patterned blue scarf, her lucky pearls, and a plaid skirt, Etta cuts a stylish figure in Burgett's charming digital illustrations. She's a confident, formidable presence, though she endures a few moments of uncertainty as the weather turns rainy; readers will find her relatable. Educators who are devising lesson plans related to voting will want to incorporate this tale. Etta is Black; her class is diverse. A snazzy lesson in civics--and on rolling with the punches.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.