Eloísa Y Su Ventanita Musical

Parra's digitally enhanced acrylic paintings have the directness, the warmth, and narrative quality of folk art, while placing the story within a distinctive setting. A heartening picture book.

Focusing on music's power to heal and uplift . . . young Eloísa finds comfort in music as her mother tries to recover from a serious illness . . . Parra's signature-style illustrations portray the child sitting at a window with green bars as the community sweetens a difficult time, uplifting Eloísa and her family--and eventually giving way to unfettered connection outside the home.

Engle's lyrical text describes noises from the neighborhood animals and the traditional Cuban instruments the musicians play. Parra's distinctive hand-painted and digitally collaged art features characters with different skin tones and uses a pleasantly washed-out palette for backgrounds.

A harmonious triumph.