Joyful Song: A Naming Story. Written by Leslea Newman and illustrated by Susan Gal. Levine Querido, Raincoast. 2024. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Mr. Baraka is reading the 
newspaper on his porch. 
"Hello there, Zachary."
He tips his hat. "Who 
do we have here?"

"My brand-new baby sister."

"What does she go by?'

"She goes by - ""

Zachary is the young Jewish narrator of this warm family story who considers Shabbat the best day of the week; in fact, today's Shabbat is better than others because it is his baby sister's naming day. The family will stand with the Rabbi as her name is announced to everyone else. 

After taking the dogs for a walk, it is time to make their way to the synagogue. Zachary will push his sister's carriage. As they go, they meet inquisitive members of the community who are interested to know her name. Each time, Zachary almost spills the beans - his mothers are quick to offer a name that describes the baby but isn't really her name. 

Zachary is quick to invite these friends to accompany them, so they can hear the true name when it is announced. With each person they meet, the conversation takes the same turn; they would like to know her name. Luckily, Mama and Mommy are right there to offer creative and meaningful responses, assuring that no one knows the baby's name until they get to the ceremony. Each joins the procession, and they walk on. 

Zachary carefully holds his sister while she sleeps. Just as he about to reveal her name, she opens her eyes and reaches for her brother's face. As he speaks her name out loud for all to hear, Aliza Shira burps and drools, making everyone beam with happiness. The walk home is filled with warm wishes and much joy from their community. 

"Susan Gal was inspired by her favorite sunny cities in creating the artwork for Joyful Song. The multi-colored stucco houses and bustling neighborhoods were rendered in washes of watercolor on paper. Susan then used Photoshop to digitally layer colored pencil drawings and painted textures with the watercolors to create the vibrant landscapes."

Those stunning colors and comforting details give this family story the vibrancy and warmth that makes it a wonderful read in any setting. The diverse community is full of love and support for Zachary and his family as they celebrate a very special time in their new baby's life. 

An author's note explains naming ceremonies, and the traditions concerning name choice.                                                                            

The Book That Almost Rhymed, written by Omar Abed and illustrated by Hatem Aly. Dial Books, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 4 and up

"Right ... 

But they had lost the treasure map. 
They searched for any trace or scrap. 
At last they knew just where to look, 
and found it folded in a - 

HIS POCKET! 

Of course." 

My granddaughters arrived today, and I can hardly wait to read this book to them. It's going to be so much fun! The digital illustrations are very appealing, the characters likeable and funny, and the rhyming text is just right for us. I'm quite sure we will read it more than one time. There will be giggles and guffaws! 

Every rhyme engages, then surprises. Here's the premise: 

"The other day I wrote this book.
You won't believe how long it took. 
It rhymed, and I was super proud. 
It sounded great when read out loud. 

But then my sister came along, 
and now the story sounds all wro -

BETTER!"

You get the picture, don't you? The writer is very proud to share what he considers his best work until his sister wreaks havoc for each one of his impeccable rhymes. No matter his sister's interjections, he moves forward and does his best to remain patient with her adaptations. As the rhymes are read, listeners will be able to anticipate what comes next - only to be surprised each time by the little girl's take on it all.  

It's a story of knights and glory, a search for treasure that takes them to space and back, a clash with a pirate ship, and an impromptu dance celebration. Leaving the pirates behind to continue their search for treasure, they are met by a 'mighty monster'; it's the final straw for the writer over his sister's messing with his book's story. While reaming her out over her actions, he makes a grand discovery. She knew it all along! 

The knight is left in a sticky spot; can the two solve that plot twist together? What do you think? 

Full of imaginative wordplay, humor, adventure, unpredictability, and collaboration, it's a joy to read. In the words of a Peter Reynolds' quote from my office bulletin board, this is 'wisdom dipped in words and art'. That is what great children's books are!                                                                                    

Shizue's Path, written by Mark Sakamoto and illustrated by Rachel Wada. Harper, 2023. $24.99 ages 5 and up

"I wish I could skip this chapter of the story, darling. 
just as you may want to skip parts of your own life 
story in time. But you see, you mustn't do that. 
You need to know your darkness to know your light. 

And I can see so much light in you. 

So I'll keep going through the dark. 

But I'd love for you to hold my hand."

Shizue is an old woman when she tells her story to a young visitor over a cup of tea. Because of her age, she must start as her life comes closer to the end. It is a story of pain and injustice; it also speaks to the courage and resilience of people who were wronged by many. There are things from her life that are not clear memories for Shizue. Others are very real and clear.

As a young child she loved school, but she did not look the same as the other children in her class. She worried about her father, a fisherman, and his safety. She worried even more when her parents' homeland, Japan, attacked Pearl Harbor and brought World War II across the ocean. She would rather not share this dark time in her life, but is part of her story. 

The anti-Asian backlash was puzzling to Shizue. No more school, forced from their homes, and sent on a train to a faraway place. The conditions were terrible; too cold, too hot, and there was no choice but to carry on. It was two years before Shizue could attend school again. Then, one day, the war ended and the people rejoiced. They did not know what was next for the Japanese people. 

"The government was planning to send me - and 
every person of Japanese ancestry - to Japan. They 
wanted all of us, gone."

What terror for a young girl! Then, good news. Shizue was invited to study at the University of Toronto. There was so much to learn and see, including hearing Rabbi Feinberg speak at a rally demanding compassion for those people who had no part in the war. It led to Shizue's life work helping people (including her family) find a place to heal. She exuded kindness wherever she went. 

It is a story that draws inspiration from Mark Sakamoto's great-aunt's life experiences and offers readers a sensitive look at how one person can send out ripples of kindness throughout that life.