Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Daddy and little Lula rake autumn leaves alongside Akaraka, the girl's imaginary friend.Akaraka takes shape in the clouds, wind, leaves, and breeze—an evanescent silhouette that Daddy can't see, though he playfully calls to her. Lula watches Akaraka out of the corner of her eye while giggling and teasing, "Daddy, you silly…." Readers will feel exhilarated, enclosed in Lula's private secret. They too make out her form in the autumnal natural world and later as a diaphanous shadow on bedroom wallpaper. Lithe, light-handed pen-and-ink-and-watercolor artwork appears both delicate and assured, making landscapes, expressions, and postures (even the folds of a sweatshirt) appear at once exact and exquisite. While interior domestic scenes seem cozily, concretely familiar with helpings of chocolate pudding (an extra for Akaraka), the world outdoors feels wildly atmospheric, with soaring skies and spinning leaves. Spacious double-page spreads evoke the luxuriant pull of the imagination, where the charm of an imaginary friend can sweep you away, across borders. Lula and her parents have pale skin and straight, black hair; Jackson's back-flap biography explains that the word Akaraka comes from the Igbo-speaking people of southwestern Nigeria and was adopted by his then-3-year-old granddaughter, who loved the sound.Questions about what we see and what we don't see, what we know and what we don't know ripple through this beguiling book like a playful October wind. (Picture book. 4-8)

ALA Booklist (Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

On a breezy fall day, Lula is helping her father rake leaves. Around them the sky swirls hypnotically in washes of cobalt and white watercolor. Grass bends in the wind, and leaves flutter up and about. It is just Lula and her pop spending time together. Or is it? Raking leaves in such a wind is hard work for two, but not for three, Pop insists, as Akaraka is helping. Lula is amused, for Akaraka is her imaginary friend e can't sweep! And with those words, leaves rise up, puddles flow together, and clouds gather to form the shape of a girl in the air. She's there. The gentle banter between father and daughter continues as the pair goes inside, and Mama sets out a snack for Lula and Akaraka. Jackson's author bio reveals that akaraka is a word in Nigeria's Igbo language entwined with the idea of destiny. This added layer of meaning blankets the tender, intimate family story, suitable for bedtime, when children both real and imaginary are tucked in and kissed good night.

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

While Lula and her dad rake leaves, Daddy playfully claims he sees Lula's imaginary friend, Akaraka. Lula maintains that because Aka is made-up, she can't help them rake, but that she might like to join them for some chocolate pudding at lunch. The spirited story of an imagination supported pairs nicely with Goodale's vibrant illustrations in acrylic ink and watercolor.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Daddy and little Lula rake autumn leaves alongside Akaraka, the girl's imaginary friend.Akaraka takes shape in the clouds, wind, leaves, and breeze—an evanescent silhouette that Daddy can't see, though he playfully calls to her. Lula watches Akaraka out of the corner of her eye while giggling and teasing, "Daddy, you silly…." Readers will feel exhilarated, enclosed in Lula's private secret. They too make out her form in the autumnal natural world and later as a diaphanous shadow on bedroom wallpaper. Lithe, light-handed pen-and-ink-and-watercolor artwork appears both delicate and assured, making landscapes, expressions, and postures (even the folds of a sweatshirt) appear at once exact and exquisite. While interior domestic scenes seem cozily, concretely familiar with helpings of chocolate pudding (an extra for Akaraka), the world outdoors feels wildly atmospheric, with soaring skies and spinning leaves. Spacious double-page spreads evoke the luxuriant pull of the imagination, where the charm of an imaginary friend can sweep you away, across borders. Lula and her parents have pale skin and straight, black hair; Jackson's back-flap biography explains that the word Akaraka comes from the Igbo-speaking people of southwestern Nigeria and was adopted by his then-3-year-old granddaughter, who loved the sound.Questions about what we see and what we don't see, what we know and what we don't know ripple through this beguiling book like a playful October wind. (Picture book. 4-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

While raking leaves on a blustery day, Lula and her father talk about the girl-s imaginary friend, Akaraka (an author-s note credits the name to his young granddaughter-s early murmurings, but notes that it is also a -meaningful word to

School Library Journal (Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

PreS-Gr 1 On a beautiful fall day, Lula and her father go out into the yard to rake up the leaves. It is a lot of work, so Daddy suggests that they invite Akaraka, Lula's imaginary friend, to help. This idea tickles the child and she is amused as Daddy thinks he sees Akaraka in the leaves and the clouds. When the job is done and there is a nice large pile of red and gold leaves, Daddy and Lula invite Akaraka in for a family lunch with Mama. Beautifully told and exquisitely illustrated in black ink and watercolors, this is a tender love story between a father and his daughter. The text is simple and conversational. VERDICT A sweet seasonal selection best shared one-on-one to pore over the delightful artwork. Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE