A little girl’s favorite day of the year poses some unique challenges, but she handles it with the grace of a queen.
With her bonnet still on, Kayla looks out the window to see costumed dancers amid the thunderous boom of the recently set up speakers. After helping Grandma cook Caribbean treats and sitting with Mommy to have festive and colorful beads put in her hair, Kayla dons the glittery outfit that she’ll be rocking today as a Carnival queen. With “pretty costumes and BIG ENERGY,” Granny, Mommy, and Kayla test out their moves; their brown skin, their colorful clothing and accessories, and Kayla’s ornamental hair beads and headdress are all vibrantly illustrated to capture movement and cultural flourishes. But maybe they’re moving too fast too soon—Kayla slips and rips and pops out of her costume. Sadly, there’s not much time before the carnival begins. But Granny reminds young Kayla—and readers—that the real purpose of the festivities isn’t costumes, but rather a connection to the ancestors, a global celebration of pan-African heritage, as Williams-Harry notes in her backmatter. And it should be no surprise that the community eventually comes together for Kayla, taking her costume to another level as the Soca music blares and she rises again in her richly colored, feathered, and shining new dress as “CARNIVAL QUEEN!” A celebration of a celebration, both fun and inviting. (Note on Carnival) (Picture book. 4-8)–Kirkus Reviews
Celebrate the color and rhythm of Carnival! When Kayla, a young Carnival dancer, rips her
dress moments before her performance, her family does their best to fix it . . . but it’s not enough. Will the community of dancers be able to save the day? Bright illustrations bring the vitality of the event to life with active descriptive words that encourage movement. Small details in the book highlight Caribbean culture in subtle ways, such as textiles and costumes. At the core of the story is the strong sense of community and Carnival’s place in history. According to the author’s notes, the book is inspired by Carnival in Notting Hill, which features a large children’s parade; other Carnival celebrations around the world are mentioned as well. Readers will want to read more about Kayla, the plucky heroine. Pair this one with Cesaria Feels the Beat, by Denise Rosario Adusei, for a Carnival storytime or with The Yellow Áo Dài, by Hanh Bui, for a read-alike centered on the importance of cultural dress.–Booklist
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