Love, Lah Lah

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. (Jan.)