Gr 1–3 —As Yelena Mendoza's father likes to say, "The nipa hut is family too." As they check and maintain their family's small house on stilts, Yelena agrees that the hut shelters and cares for them. Then a bagyo or storm approaches, and their bamboo hut sways and flinches in the strong winds and rain. The storm lasts for hours, but once again, their hut survives with only slight damage. The fable like story emphasizes the bonds of family and community, as neighbors come together under rainbow skies. Nipa huts, still found in rural Philippine communities, use readily available materials, such as bamboo and nipa palm leaves, the latter used for the roof. Eye-catching folk art, in vibrant colors, depicts a lush tropical setting filled with multi-colored birds, fish, and other animals; the family and neighbors have an array of skin tones and body sizes, and Papa Mendoza is shown using a simple prosthetic leg. Back matter focuses on the construction, history, and types of nipa huts, stressing their enduring cultural significance. It also offers factoids about the Philippines, including a map and a smattering of Tagalog words. VERDICT This well-crafted overview is not only a heartening story, but a good choice for STEM and multicultural studies.—Marilyn Taniguchi

Yelena Mendoza's family has a very special member: the home they live in.Yelena and her baby brother, Marco, are awakened by a falling palm tree and a creak from the bamboo floor. She opens the window and sees her father working outside. "Magandang umaga!" Papa, who uses a prosthetic leg, greets her in Tagalog before reminding Yelena to check on the other member of the family: their nipa hut, a traditional Filipino woven house built on stilts. She carefully looks over the house for cracks that require repair, whispering, "I'll take care of you, and you will take care of us." Bamboo is falling from the house, so she and Papa gather materials to work on the hut. But a storm is coming. Papa rushes to prepare the hut, and the Mendozas take shelter within. Once the weather clears, they survey the damaged roof and missing shutter. Still the family expresses their gratitude for the hut's protection: "We take care of family," Papa says. "And that is why the nipa hut is still standing." Vivid textures and hues depict the various huts in Yelena's neighborhood. Onomatopoeia ("CRAAAACCKK!" "CLAP!" "BAM!") is effectively employed during the storm, interrupting the evenly paced story. Larios anthropomorphizes the expressive hut, which flinches and even appears to weep in the rain. A detailed guide to nipa huts and the effects of global warming follows.A vibrant tribute to a beloved Filipino home. (overview of the Philippines, map, glossary of Tagalog terms, photo, author's and illustrator's notes) (Picture book. 5-8)