Lubaya's Quiet Roar

August 1, 2020
Activism comes in many forms. Lubaya prefers sitting quietly to speaking up in class, even when she knows the answer. She's often picked last for soccer, but she doesn't mind because before the game ends, Lubaya has wandered off, absorbed in daydreaming. This might be the story of a neurodivergent child, or Lubaya might just be introverted and introspective. She plays well with her brother, Jelani, but even he cannot hold her attention through a video game. One thing Lubaya spends time on, though, is creating artwork on the back sides of her family's protest signs, saved from a march and bearing messages like "We Are One Earth" and "Peace." When alarming events air on the TV news, Lubaya's parents hold her and Jelani close and tell them it's time to march again, giving Lubaya's posters a second life. At the march, Lubaya--whose Swahili name means "young lioness" according to a closing note--adds her voice and her artwork to the protest, amplifying the power of the marchers' messages with her hand-drawn images. Williamson's textured illustrations, created in oil paint and crayon, feature bright colors and vibrant backgrounds and represent well the visible diversity of people of color, even for members of the same family. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-21-inch double-page spreads viewed at 27.6% of actual size.) This quietly powerful family story encourages children to use both voices and hands to advocate for change. (Picture book. 4-8)

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October 1, 2020
Grades K-2 Nelson's story centers on an introverted girl named Lubaya (lioness in Swahili) who discovers that she is an essential part of her family and community, speaking out against injustice. Lubaya is an artistic and creative soul, as shown in Williamson's vivid, expressive paintings that utilize primary and elementary colors in stunning, single-color backgrounds reminiscent of a child's palette. Lubaya admires her outspoken classmates and confident student athletes, but she's more of an observer than a leader, both in school and at home, noticing small, sweet details about the people she cares about. When she's not playing with her brother, Jelani (mighty), Lubaya entertains herself by creating masterpieces on old protest signs as she listens to the news?and when it's time once again for her community to use these signs, it's quickly decided that they've been enhanced by Lubaya's artwork. Nelson's story, paired with Williamson's illustrations, reminds the quieter personalities that they possess just as much strength and talent as their more vocal counterparts.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

November 1, 2020

K-Gr 3-In a very timely book, Nelson has crafted a story about Lubaya, a young artist who uses her imagination and creates art. To others, it seems as if she is not paying attention, perhaps, as she fills the backs of her parents' old protest signs with image after image. When new protests start, her parents reuse the signs-this time with Lubaya's art on the back of them. Those bearing the signs see that Lubaya, too, has a voice. With so many protests across our nation recently, this could be a solid choice for children wondering about how they can take part. The description of Lubaya at the beginning of the book could represent any introverted or artistic child who marches to the beat of a different drummer. Reminiscent of Vera Williams's work, Williamson's oils are luminous. They are stylized and colorfully impressionistic while still setting the story into credible scenes of family and protest. The cast includes people of all races and ethnicities. Lubaya's mother is light brown, while the girl shares the darker brown skin of her father. VERDICT A great addition to any school's collection, this book bridges a gap of understanding for others who may also have a quiet but powerful roar.-Jane Mouttet, Mesilla Valley Christian Sch., Las Cruces, NM

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