Review by Booklist Review
Every belly tells a story. Some have grown life, some display art, and some make great drums. Using cut-paper-collage artwork, Lam's latest book celebrates the unique story that every belly--and every body--tells. Maddie and her mom are on their way to the pool as she encounters the many people who live in her neighborhood. Maddie gets a belly-eye view as she shares stories about the people they pass, such as their downstairs neighbor Mr. Popov, who loves Maddie's tap dancing so much that he keeps time with his broom. Readers will delight in Maddie's optimistic outlook on all she encounters, and adults will enjoy the humor of her perspective on life. Characters--old, young, and diversely abled--are shown with a range of skin tones and body types and even artful tattoos. The pages exude positivity toward all walks of life as the main character celebrates the individuality of people in her neighborhood from her unique vantage point. The bright, eye-catching illustrations will have readers noticing something new each time they read. Everybelly's joyful celebration of all bellies and bodies makes it a must-have for all picture-book collections.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In observational prose, a young narrator portrayed with brown skin introduces readers to local pool-goers--all pictured by Lam (One Giant Leap) via a child's-eye view. Crisp cut-paper collages portray "everybelly" from the protagonist's perspective, largely showcasing chests, tummies, thighs, and feet. "This is my mama. I used to live here until I grew too big," the youth begins, poking an adult in the abdomen. In addition to anecdotes about and perceptions of the community members (referencing an individual drumming on their own torso, "Vibhuti's in a band. They know how to keep a beat!"), the narrator reflects on what bellies can do ("stretch bigger... make great tables"). And a view of pigeons snacking poolside accompanies musing about the child's own stomach: "When my belly is full, it's nice and round. But an empty belly goes flat. Mama works hard to keep our bellies full." Declarative sentences and memorable character designs that reflect diversity of ability, age, body type, gender expression, and skin tone distinguish this loving, wide-ranging tribute to the beauty, variety, and power of individual bodies--and bellies. Ages 3--6. (Apr.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--An energetic young child with light brown skin is waist-high next to most of the adult neighbors. As everyone in the building heads to the pool, she introduces her neighbors through their bellies. Outside the narrator, very few heads and faces are seen. There's Mr. Mendoza, who is quiet except when talking to his daughter in Argentina; Ms. Yamaguchi, who runs the grocery store; and Jackie the artist. Lam's paper collage art showcases a wide range of stomachs: with six-packs, rolls, stretch marks, wrinkles, scars, insulin pumps, tattoos, and from young to old and big to small. Outside of bellies, the bodies they're part of offer clues to a range of abilities and disabilities, including a leg prosthesis and a wheelchair user; they are also racially and ethnically diverse (one adult wears modest swimwear). While visually the adults are glimpsed through their stomachs, the narrator rarely comments on anyone's actual shape, except for a pregnant neighbor and the fact that Mama's belly feels like home. The narrator does comment on their own belly, which is big when it's full and flat when it's hungry, followed by a long list of all the food they'd like to put there. The art is great in showcasing joy in all types of bodies, while the text is about showcasing joy in all types of personalities. They pair perfectly for a wonderful and uplifting tale. VERDICT An exuberant love letter to all sorts of bellies and the people they belong to. Highly recommended for all collections.--Jennifer Rothschild
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Take a dip in a pool where everyone is welcome. A brown-skinned child is gearing up to take a belly flop from the diving board. Along the way, the young narrator encounters members of the community, including Mr. Mendoza, who "is really quiet except on Sundays," and Mr. St. Clair, who can't swim ("but wow, does he sparkle" in his bathing suit). Since the child is only about as tall as most adults' waists, readers generally don't see other characters' full faces, but their bodies--including their bellies--are on full, glorious display. Through cut-paper collage illustrations, Lam spotlights a noteworthy diversity; the bodies feature belly rolls, stomachs that hang over the waists of brightly colored shorts, six-pack abdomens, cellulite, stretch marks, vitiligo, freckles, scars (including some that appear to be from top surgery), insulin pumps, prosthetic limbs, and tattoos. Lam's text brims with a childlike wonder that hints at the protagonist's mischievousness ("Mr. Popov lives below us. He loves it when I tap dance. He always keeps time with his broom"). The characters vary in skin tone and ability, and the protagonist's matter-of-fact, accepting attitude about everyone's bodies is laudable--as is the gently integrated lesson on bodily autonomy ("But do not--and I mean DO NOT--stick your hands in other people's bellies. Trust me, my cat taught me that the hard way"). A unique, joyful celebration of bellies, bodies, and beauty.(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
