In this relatable account of jitters, a young African American girl nervously anticipates her first solo performance in her church's youth choir. She loves singing, especially at home with Daddy, but singing before an audience is another matter. Mean comments from a couple of peers make the idea even more scary, but the love and support of family and community members buoy her through the week. Auntie picks out a new dress; Mr. Harvey, the barber, offers a distraction strategy; Mommy twists her hair into a beautiful crown; and Daddy gives her loving words of advice. Effectively balancing themes of family and community, childhood and church, dedication and delight, this uplifting story celebrates courage and love. Brantley-Newton's energetic illustrations add a perfect visual complement in their affirming depiction of this tight-knit family. Moreover, children who love singing will find much with which to identify. This book would pair nicely with Dinah Johnson's Sunday Week (1999), a beautiful story set in an African American church.

An African-American girl prepares for her first solo with her church-s youth choir in an uplifting story about family, community, and big first steps. The unnamed narrator loves to sing with her father at home, but public performance is a scary prospect. In the days before the solo, the girl listens to suggestions meant to ease her anxiety, and with freshly redone hair and a new dress, she-s ready to go. Nervousness strikes as she-s about to start singing, but the surprise arrival of her father (who had been planning to skip church, having worked an extra shift) gives her a burst of confidence. Millner (the Hotlanta series) sensitively reflects her heroine-s performance anxiety and warmly details the traditions of this churchgoing family-including having a big Sunday dinner prepared before service, since sometimes -Pastor Scott gets lost in the rhythm can preach on... and on... and on.- Brantley-Newton-s (Mary Had a Little Glam) glowing mixed-media images capture the love shared among the members of the girls- family and the jubilant atmosphere of their church. Ages 4-9. Author-s agent: Victoria Sanders, Victoria Sanders & Associates. Illustrator-s agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (Apr.)