Natsumi!

Natsumi lives in Japan, and she tends to get carried away. In preparation for a village festival, she shakes flowers so vigorously that she makes "a cloud of pollen, leaves, and ants." She whips tea ceremony tea so hard that it spatters her father's eyeglasses. Natsumi's patient grandfather tells her to "keep looking... and listening." The two disappear together after school for weeks, and at the festival, the family is delighted to see Natsumi among the taiko drummers, where her enthusiasm is welcomed. Lendroth (Old Manhattan Has Some Farms) weaves cultural notes through her story, paying attention to traditional arts and the family's connections to the village. Sound words amp up the readaloud energy, such as the soundtrack for a Japanese fan: "Open. Whisht. Shut. Click." Burris (Grandma's Tiny House) renders Natsumi and her family in loose lines and a palette that's neither too loud nor too muted. Those interested in Japan will be drawn to this, as will those who know someone who's a little over the top. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Abigail Samoun, Red Fox Literary. Illustrator's agency: Christina A. Tugeau Artist Agency. (Mar.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2--A little girl with a big personality finds the perfect way to channel her energy in this cheerful picture book. Natsumi is constantly on the go, despite her family's admonitions that she's too fast and too loud. Her enthusiastic efforts to join them in practicing traditional Japanese arts for the upcoming village festival result in minor disasters. Her grandfather is the only one who understands her; in a satisfying conclusion, he guides her toward taiko drumming, a thunderously loud activity that allows her to express herself while taking part in the festival. Bright, bold illustrations deftly capture Natsumi's exuberance, and the prose is sprinkled with sound effects, making for an engaging read-aloud. The author occasionally relies on tropes to indicate the contemporary Japanese setting; references to sumo wrestling, samurai warriors, and "ninja moves" feel designed for a Western audience with limited exposure to Japanese culture. Although the setting lacks some nuance, this book presents a positive introduction to traditional arts such as tea ceremony and flower arranging, and has a great deal to offer in its affirming message about being oneself. Many young readers will relate to Natsumi's experience of being told to keep herself in check, and will cheer her on when she finds her niche in taiko drumming. VERDICT An appealing addition to picture book collections and a good conversation-starter about individuality.--Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Library, CA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

★ A joyful experience from beginning to end . . . Natsumi [is] a girl with lots of energy and spunk who throws herself into everything, while Burris portrays her in joyous action. The multigenerational nature of the family adds to the warmth of the story. —Booklist, starred review

A whirlwind of energy, Natsumi often hears the words, Not so fast or hard or loud from her family. When she worries her boisterous actions always lead to mistakes, her grandfather finds the perfect outlet: taiko. On stage, Natsumi pounds the large, barrel-shaped drums—their thundering boom an extension of her enthusiastic spirit. Like Kevin Henkes with his water pistol-toting Lilly, Lendroth offers a charming character who defies traditional gender associations. —Kirkus Reviews

Lendroth weaves cultural notes through her story, paying attention to traditional arts and the family's connections to the village . . . [A]t the festival, the family is delighted to see Natsumi among the taiko drummers, where her enthusiasm is welcomed . . . Those interested in Japan will be drawn to this, as will those who know someone who's a little over the top. —Publishers Weekly

A little girl with a big personality finds the perfect way to channel her energy in this cheerful picture book . . . . [T]his book presents a positive introduction to traditional arts such as tea ceremony and flower arranging, and has a great deal to offer in its affirming message about being oneself. —School Library Journal