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Summary
Summary
From Newbery honor author Rajani LaRocca and illustrator Abhi Alwar comes a celebration of extended family and summertime fun expressed in a picture book full of joyful, color art.
Summer is for cousins.
Mom and Dad,
Two uncles, two aunties,
Thatha and Pati,
Seven cousins,
All of us are together.
Ravi can't wait to spend summer vacation at the lake house with his family--especially his cousins! Summer vacation is for days at the beach, long hikes, paddleboarding, and--of course--ice cream. Ravi and his oldest cousin, Dhruv, had the same favorite flavor last year, but everything feels different now.
Dhruv's much taller and his voice is deeper. Ravi's worried that Dhruv won't be interested in spending time with him, the little cousin. The ice cream shop doesn't even have their favorite flavor this year. But on the last night of vacation, the cousins decide to make dinner, and Ravi's in charge of dessert. He only has one special thing in mind!
This picture book all about summertime fun celebrates the resilient bond between extended family members.
Author Notes
Rajani LaRocca is a physician and an author of books for young readers, such as Midsummer's Mayhem and Seven Golden Rings . She won a Newbery honor in 2022 for her novel Red, White, and Whole . She was born in Bangalore, India, and immigrated to the United States when she was very young. She now lives in eastern Massachusetts with her family.
Abhi Alwar is an Indian American illustrator and designer based in New York City. She is the illustrator of Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates , written by Cheryl Klein.
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
During summer, a South Asian--cued family fills a house "that's not any of ours,/ near the ocean/ and a lake" with three generations and seven cousins: "All of us are together." Second-youngest cousin Ravi narrates, describing the family's seasonal activities and observing that the oldest cousin, Dhruv, has developed a deeper voice. Ravi shyly wonders if Dhruv remembers that they share the same favorite ice cream flavor. Expressive lines by Alwar (Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates) offer sketchbook energy in saturated jewel-tone hues to spreads bursting with activity as cousins pile out of cars, descend upon a local ice cream stand, range across the beach, and more. After jumping off a formerly intimidating rope swing, Ravi realizes that Dhruv may have matured, but "now I'm bigger, too." Gleefully reprising the line "summer is for cousins," LaRocca (I'll Go and Come Back) builds to a cousin-made dinner that gives Ravi the opportunity to reveal the favorite ice cream flavor, catalyzing a moment of connection: "Our favorite!" Dhruv says. Conveying the warmth and coziness of a bustling family vacation, the creators highlight the way families can supply companionship, support, and benchmarks for growth. Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Brent Taylor, Triada US. Illustrator's agent: Alexandra Levick, Writers House. (May)
Horn Book Review
"Summer is for cousins. Mom and Dad, two uncles, two aunties, Thatha and Pati, seven cousins. All of us are together." This energetic family's summer vacation, with a full schedule of daily activities, encapsulates the inevitable combination of ritual and change that permeates life. In a first-person narrative, Ravi explains how his whole extended family descends on a house near an ocean and a lake. From there, the story launches into a flurry of sandcastle building, swimming, hiking, and more. Ravi is eager for a replay of all the summers before, but his beloved oldest cousin now seems more grown-up, and Ravi worries that their relationship may have changed too. This concern is punctuated by the frustration that he can no longer find their mutual favorite ice-cream flavor. The summer starts and ends with ice cream, the circular story arc highlighting that despite growth and change, the best parts of old rituals can become new ones with a little effort. Active compositions in the warm, textured art glow with golds and purples, making the joys of summer palpable. The figures of the family, sometimes together and sometimes dispersed around the pages, are full of movement. This story, with its irresistible atmosphere, shows how to realize and share the delights of the season. (c) Copyright 2024. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
People may grow and change, but familial love stays the same. Every summer, Ravi goes to a beach house with "Mom and Dad, two uncles, two aunties, Thatha and Pati, [and] seven cousins." Second youngest cousin Ravi has a special bond with oldest cousin Dhruv. This year, though, Dhruv seems taller and even more mature, and Ravi wonders if Dhruv remembers all the things that made their relationship special--like their shared love of banana ice cream, which neither one of them can ever seem to find. At first, Ravi feels timid around Dhruv; when Dhruv offers to take Ravi paddleboarding, Ravi nods instead of speaking. But then, at the lake, Dhruv encourages Ravi to take a turn on the tire swing. Leaping triumphantly into the water--something the child never would have done a year ago--Ravi realizes that Dhruv isn't the only one who has changed since last year: Ravi has, too! One night, when all of the cousins decide to make dinner for the adults, Ravi finds a way to prepare the beloved banana ice cream that involves all the kids. It's clear that though relationships evolve over time, they can still stay strong. Framed by the cousins' endearingly boisterous antics, Ravi's evolution is heartwarming, realistic, and beautifully paced. The cartoonlike illustrations and soft, smudged palette perfectly accompany the warm, quietly lyrical text. Characters are of South Asian descent. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A gorgeous ode to change, growth, togetherness, and family. (Picture book. 2-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
