Review by Booklist Review
People always tell Zara that she is so lucky to live in between her two grandmothers. What they don't realize is that Zara feels stuck in the middle when it comes to her grandmothers' opinions. As Zara plans her birthday party, she doesn't want to hurt either of her grandmothers by not going with their ideas, so she always says, "I don't know." The combination of ideas sometimes leads to disastrous results such as a half-Afro, half-braided head of hair or a clashing patterned outfit. As both grandmothers add their ideas to the party preparations and Zara hides what she really wants, the birthday girl gradually finds her voice. When Zara gains the courage to share her desires, she is met with love and apology from both grandparents, showing kids that sharing one's feelings with adults can be a positive experience. Mixed-media-collage illustrations highlight the combination of both grandmothers' styles and how sometimes they clash. A celebratory story that will help kids find their own voice and remind adults to listen.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2--Zara, a young Black girl, is caught in the middle between her two grandmothers who have strong and conflicting opinions about everything from her birthday outfit to the party dessert. While both grandmothers mean well, their constant disagreements make it hard for Zara to express what she truly wants. After a series of mishaps, Zara finds her voice, realizing that the best way to celebrate is by embracing her own choices. Jones's vibrant mixed-media illustrations bring warmth and humor to this relatable family story, perfectly capturing Zara's frustration, hesitation, and eventual joy. Themes of self-expression, family dynamics, and compromise make this a standout read for young audiences navigating big personalities in their own lives. Fans of Vanessa Brantley-Newton's Grandma's Purse and Oge Mora's Thank You, Omu! will find much to love here. VERDICT A warm and empowering story about finding one's voice while celebrating the love of family. Highly recommended.--Amanda Chacon
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A tug-of-war with two tough grandmas turns into a triumph of self-expression. Zara is lucky to live right in between both her grandmothers. The only problem? The two (very opinionated) grandmothers can never agree onanything. Grandma Jane wants Zara to have a unicorn birthday party, but Grandma Gladys thinks it should be mermaid-themed. Zara is worried about hurting their feelings, so all she can think to say is, "I don't know." Rather than offend either of them, she tries to please both and ends up wearing mismatched clothes and two different hairstyles, one on each side of her head (Grandma Jane likes florals and an Afro, but Grandma Gladys prefers geometric shapes and braids). Zara is so anxious about making them both happy that her tummy starts to hurt. Finally, enough is enough, and she admits that sometimes she wants to do things her own way. Both grandmothers are stunned but ultimately supportive, and the trio work together to create a mood board to bring to life Zara's vision of her perfect birthday. Jones' painted, mixed-media, cut-paper figures and objects are bold and inviting, set against a white background. The images are visually flat, with the collage style lending the characters an appealing, paper-doll feel; this is a gentle yet powerful lesson for people pleasers everywhere. Zara and her grandmothers are Black. An affirming, multigenerational story about just how tricky it can be to speak up.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
