Ripples

“It is a magical day,” announces young narrator Ayla, ushering readers into this environmentally focused story by Yamasaki (Mural Island). After climbing into a bright orange raft, Ayla and Aunty Koko, both portrayed with light brown skin, paddle down a winding river. The artwork’s lush brushstrokes exude movement and energy as the river’s turns reveal plump trees, turquoise water streaked with yellow sunlight, and dancing butterflies. Taking in the smell of “mud pies from Mother Earth’s bakery” and passing myriad species, the duo greets human families relaxing on the riverbanks, and Ayla’s purple-sandaled feet blissfully stretch into frame as “my toes toast in the sun.” But another purpose emerges as the two begin removing refuse from the water body (“We tend to the river”), then wend their way into a basin that’s filled with floating garbage. Removing it is an almost overwhelming task (“We paddle and scoop./ ...Over and over”), until figures from earlier pages float onto the scene and join into a seemingly coordinated effort (“My friends are here to help”). The work’s final words—“we make ripples”— resonate with layered meaning around not only a day’s paddle but circles of connection between community and the natural world. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)