ALL EYES ON OZZY!

Ozzy loves attention, and what better way to get it than to play the drums?

Ozzy, an enthusiastic girl with tan skin, black hair, and adorably huge googly eyes, will do anything to be the center of attention, especially in music class. Everyone in her racially diverse class, which includes kids of varying skin tones, physical abilities, and attire, loves their music teacher, Ms. Bomba, a woman of color. When it comes time to prepare for the school recital, titled ¡Vamos a Bailar! Let’s Dance! everyone chooses an instrument. Ozzy picks the most attention-grabbing instrument she can think of: the drums. She quickly discovers that making a big noise with her bass drum isn’t the same as making music together. “You’ll get us all offbeat,” says one classmate. “She’s ruining it for everyone!” yells another. But Ms. Bomba, with her gentle kindness, steers Ozzy back to playing her steady (boring) part. Steele brilliantly evinces Ozzy’s zest for life and strong emotions with a few simple lines, and the double-page spread depicting a dejected Ozzy lying on her bed amid the detritus of an active girl with many passions captures her spirit perfectly. When the night of the recital arrives, Ozzy is uncharacteristically fazed by having so many eyes suddenly on her. But Ms. Bomba’s understanding presence is there, leading Ozzy and the group, locked into the beat, to a triumphant finish. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Brava, Ozzy!