"Mr. St. Clair does not know how to swim,
but wow, does he sparkle.
Ms. Yamaguchi's grocery store is full of
yummy stuff, like dumplings!
When my belly is full, it's nice and
round. But an empty belly goes flat.
Mama works hard to keep our
bellies full."
Readers are introduced to the child narrator on the first double-page spread. The child pokes her mama's belly, explaining that it is where her life began.
"I used to live here until I grew too big."
The two are obviously headed to the pool by their clothing and the floater they are carrying. As they go, they meet others from their building. The child is quick to share pertinent information about each one. As they are introduced, Ms. Lam shows headless bodies that allow readers to take note of their diverse shapes and sizes. Only children are entirely seen, for the most part.
Everyone is welcome poolside, and their characters are quite evident even without seeing their faces. Exuberant, rhythmic, shy, quiet, artistic, tattooed, wrinkly. chunky, tall and freckled ... each has a place at the pool. Without delay, the child is ready to climb the ladder to the diving board. It's time for her best belly flop! The scene turns to what is now seen underwater, adding another group of bellies. As she surfaces to swim, readers are aware of others who are enjoying the pool while dangling their feet or floating on floats and rings. Ascending the ladder to exit the pool, she talks about her own belly, how it is round when full and flat when empty. On the pool deck, there are more diverse bodies.
Hungry after her swim, she stands in a long line for ice cream, explaining how much she loves different foods, and then in the line for the bathroom where she suggests it is impolite to touch other bellies. Her cat taught her that lesson. It turns out that her favorite belly belongs to her mama, which brings the story full circle.
Glorious cut-paper collage artwork grabbed my attention from front to final endpaper! Please look carefully at both. Ms. Lam is a consummate storyteller, through both words and illustrations. She gives attention here to a plethora of diverse bellies, as well as diversity in the people sporting them. Each belly has a story; there is so much more to the person being described or seen than their belly. Acceptance of all is a given and joyful. It is a welcome celebration in a world that, too often, is not open to honoring such differences.
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