Note: I received a stapled galley of this book from the publisher at ALA Midwinter 2017. ( )

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/10/opinion/sunday/children-literature-books-blac...

A little girl is nervous about singing her first solo in the church youth choir. Everyone gives her advice on how to be brave, but she is still nervous, and wishes her dad could be there, but he has to rest after working an extra shift at the bakery. She and her mother and brother get all spruced up, and her dad makes a surprise appearance just as she's about to begin her song.

Exuberant illustrations of the girl and her family at home, at the barber's, and at church animate the story, and the endpapers are patterned with pictures of relevant items - peppermints, strawberry shampoo, combs, a bow from the girl's new dress.

One clunky line ("Their words stung. So did my tears") doesn't mar this story, which can be enjoyed by anyone, no matter their race or religion. ( )