OUR LAKE

Grief and remembrances of times past converge on a hot day.

A pair of unnamed, East Asian–presenting siblings hike to a nearby lake that holds memories both cherished and painful. As they approach the water, both fear and sadness keep the younger sibling, who narrates, from jumping in. The children’s beloved father has apparently died, and the protagonist can’t help thinking of how he used to accompany the kids on swims. After Brother takes the plunge and spurs his sibling to follow suit, the younger child shakes off the fear, conveyed through squiggly green lines emanating from the little one’s body, resembling the ripples of the water. The protagonist draws strength not only from Brother’s encouragement, but also in the comforting memories of the good times they both had with their father. The siblings realize that despite their sadness, they still have each other: “Here in our lake, / we are all together.” Debut author/illustrator Kang has created an effective look at how activities that once brought joy can fill us with dread following loss. The gouache, crayon, and colored pencil illustrations, with their warm yellows and deep blues and purples, convey a sense of calm and comfort while also acknowledging the anxiety of the unknown.

A sensitive look at the delicate process of navigating loss.