Eloísa's Musical Window

Focusing on music's power to heal and uplift, Engle, per an author's note, reflects on a chapter of her mother's childhood. In Cuba, young Eloísa finds comfort in music as her mother tries to recover from a serious illness, eating endless bowls of soup. The family cannot afford a radio, so Eloísa listens out the window to the neighbor's and takes in the musicality of everyday sounds, including cats' "miau, miau" and a cow's "mu-muing." 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. Information about Cuban instruments concludes. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)

Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 1-4--Eloísa's family is too poor to own a radio, but she can enjoy the music from her neighbor's radio and the songs of the birds if she sits by her special window. Cats and dogs, cows and horses lend their own kind of music as they pass by in the street. Eloísa's mother has been feverish and weak from a mysterious illness, but the day that the neighborhood children gather to play their instruments outside Eloísa's window, even Mama feels well enough to join the rest of the neighborhood in a dancing, singing fiesta. Based on a childhood experience of the author's mother in Cuba, the story is equal parts about Eloísa's love of music and her worry for her mother. While the story lacks dramatic tension and feels disjointed in places, the illustrations in acrylic and digital media evoke a loving family and the vitality of a community with a palette of aqua, greens, and muted red. Spanish words are sprinkled throughout, and two pages at the end describe typical instruments used in making Cuban music. VERDICT A gentle look at one family's community and culture.--Jan Aldrich Solow

Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

A harmonious triumph.