I loved this book because this shows a family with a different culture that I am not used to. This book also shows a home language that I just recently learned in my TLS 411 class. Reading this book to children can really make them feel more comfortable pronouncing their own language. ( )

I don't know much about Carnival so this story about a girl who envies her older sister's participation in the Trinidad Carnival experience was illuminating for me. Just the right mix of storytelling and cultural education. ( )

This book is about carnival time in Trinidad. Every year there is a festival, and all the children put on their best costumes. This year, the big sister Christine is participating and she is going to be a hummingbird. Her little sister Lily is jealous that she can’t participate in carnival. Lily gets upset when she’s asked to help with her sister’s costume. She tried to mess the costume up, but their parents immediately fix the costume. When it is time to get on stage Christine becomes very nervous, and her family makes her feel much better. Even though Lily was jealous, she still encouraged her sister to get on the stage and do her best. Once Christine was finished, she allowed Lily to put on her costume and jump up as if she was a real hummingbird. ( )