Review by Booklist Review
This stunning debut tenderly explores a young girl's connection to her Cape Verdean heritage through her relationship with her grandfather. Although she does not speak the Kriolu language like her papa, they share meaningful Saturday afternoon walks through their close-knit Massachusetts community. As she helps guide Papa, they exchange stories, share food, and enjoy music and dance together. Their bond beautifully illustrates that cultural connection can flourish in many forms beyond language alone. The vivid illustrations, with a visual texture of creased tissue paper, heighten the sensory details, conveying sights, smells, tastes, sounds, and the wintry atmosphere. In addition, the artwork's exuberant expressions beautifully convey the joy and warmth of the grandparent-grandchild relationship. Frequent full-page illustrations further draw readers into the emotional heart of each scene. An author's note shares the personal inspiration behind the story, and a glossary introduces Cape Verdean terms. The result is a moving, heart-filled tribute to heritage, family, and memories.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A grandfather and grandchild call upon the smells, tastes, and sounds of their culture to reconnect with a faraway home. Saturday walks with Papa are a tradition our young narrator cherishes. Both grandfather and grandchild have lived away from Cape Verde all their lives, but while Papa remains connected to the language, his grandchild struggles: "Kriolu won't come out." Still, they both fondly contemplate their homeland and its flavors, its diasporic community, its music, and the seafaring culture Papa is so proud of having been part of. Morris' textured tissue paper collage illustrations feature bright, earthy reds that create silhouettes against the negative space as Papa and the youngster dance in full color in the foreground, providing depth and whimsy to our protagonist's imaginings of the island home the youngster has never known. Just as the child ultimately feels a connection with Cape Verde when Papa strums his cavaquinho, playing morna (traditional Cape Verdean music featuring themes of yearning for one's homeland), readers, too, will be deeply moved by Foster Brown's delicate words and Morris' enchanting art; those curious about this unique West African culture will be gratified by the author's note, in which Foster Brown shares memories of her own grandfather, who, like Papa, had issues with his vision. A worthy, emotionally charged reflection on home and heritage. (glossary)(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
