October 30, 2023
Soca artist Blackman shares the joyous experience of celebrating Carnival with her grandfather—musician Ras Shorty I, the originator of soca music—in this lively picture book based in the author’s real-life experiences. “Wake up, Wake up,” begins a brown-skinned child. “The sun is strong, and Carnival is waiting.” The child hurries gray-bearded Papa into the streets, where masquerade bands march in parade to a “Boom-ba, Boom-ba” and “Rum-pa, Rum-pa” beat. “Come on, Come on,” the child cries, sitting astride their papa’s shoulders to greet the festivities’ costumed King and Queen, who are resplendent in an enormous tiger’s head and a dazzling peacock getup. And after the child and Papa “Eat up, Eat up,” enjoying mango chow, they take to a stage, welcomed by a raucous audience “going loca.” As the child sings and Papa plays guitar, lyrics hint at the characters’ connection to one another. Enthusiastic repetition, matched with Orlando’s fluid, digitally enhanced watercolors, make for a celebratory volume that dances to its own vibrant beat. A glossary and author’s note conclude. Ages 4–8.
Starred review from December 1, 2023
PreS-Gr 2-Readers itching for a reason to get up and dance should tune in to Love, Lah Lah. In this lively musical picture book, little Lah Lah and her grandfather Papa sing, eat, and shake their tail feathers through Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago during Carnival. Their festive day together ends with a duet about their pride in their people and each other. What begins as a fun and carefree holiday story then concludes as an emotional ode to a Caribbean legend. In its final pages, readers learn that Lah Lah is based on Blackman as a child, and Papa is the late Ras Shorty I, her grandfather and pioneer of soca music, an essential part of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago. Blackman's text packs a lot of celebratory joy into short, breezy verses, which are harmoniously reflected in Orlando's vibrant illustrations of cheerful faces and swaying bodies in extravagant masquerade costumes. A glossary explains some elements of the book that are significant to Carnival and that may be unfamiliar to a young audience and those new to the festivities. Suggest this to fans of Connie Schofield-Morrison's I Got the Rhythm or Oge Mora's Thank You, Omu! VERDICT A lyrical and loving tribute to family and Trinidadian culture that should fill a gap in most library collections.-Alexandra Quay
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.