Sona Sharma, Very best big sister? by Chitra Soundar, illustrated by Jen Khatun

There are many people in Sona’s big family and they are always coming in and out of the house, arguing, sharing food, and telling stories. But there is a big change coming - Sona will soon be a big sister. She’s conflicted about all the changes, especially when so many special things are happening for her new sister, her mother goes to stay with her grandmother, and everyone’s attention is focused on the new baby.

Family stories, food, and the comforting presence of her relatives and friends along with the wise advice of her stuffed elephant, help her deal with the new changes until she is excited about a new sister - but now she has a new worry. She is supposed to help pick one of the baby’s names and she can’t think of anything that’s just right, a special name. But just when she thinks it is too late to show how very special she thinks the new baby is, she gets one last chance. Can Sona think of just the perfect name?

Black and white line drawings are sprinkled throughout the story and a glossary of cultural terms are explained in the back. The story centers around the traditions and cultural practices of a new baby and through the medium of adults and friends explaining what’s happening, Sona and readers unfamiliar with this culture will learn the meaning of each event, from Sona’s Amma staying with her mother to the naming ceremony. Although some of the vocabulary can be challenging, the general flavor of the book is aimed at younger children, from kindergarten to third grade, and this would appeal to fluent readers who enjoy stories like Anna Hibiscus and Juana and Lucas.

Verdict: While this may be too challenging a chapter book for most beginning chapter readers, it shines as a read-aloud, with a gentle, soothing air. Best for libraries with audiences who like this type of gentler story and those looking to diversify their collections for beginning readers.

ISBN: 9781536214826; Published September 2021 by Candlewick; ARC provided by publisher