WE ARE A SONG

What does it mean to be a family?

Arturo and his sister, Emilyn, who are of Chinese and Latine heritage, seek inspiration for Emilyn’s poem about their family as they set off to pick up supplies for a big party. From the delicious cakes at Tía Cari’s bakery to the colorful kites at Yeh Yeh’s toy shop to dominoes at Abuelo’s house, they discover something at each stop that sparks their imaginations. Their family members may be different from one another, but just like ingredients in a cake, colors in a rainbow, or notes in a song, they are part of something special together. The story engages the senses, whether it’s the sound of oil in Amah’s wok going “ping-ping-ping,” the scent of Tía’s pastries, or the sensation of a falling petal fluttering on Arturo’s face like Mama’s kisses. All these moments help evoke a relatable feeling of familial love. The title could have benefitted from a glossary or more context for readers unfamiliar with terms in Chinese or Spanish such as dan tat or palmita. Still, the message of the beauty in united differences shines through. Digitally rendered watercolor, gouache, ink, and colored pencil illustrations bring to life a cast of wide-eyed, big-headed characters whose love for one another is apparent. The author’s note reveals that the story was inspired by her own journey to embrace her multiracial background. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A sweet celebration of the different notes that create the song of family.