A Crown for Corina

K-Gr 2--It is Corina's birthday, and as a special gift, she is able to select her favorite flowers from Abuela's garden to use to make her corona. With help from Abuela, Corina learns about selecting flowers that hold special meaning to her, which will help tell the story of who she is. Corina thinks about her family and selects flowers that remind her of them: sunflowers, morning glories, coneflowers, and more. She also makes sure to select blooms that symbolize who Corina would like to be. Corina's crown of flowers is finally ready as her birthday guests arrive, and she shares the story of her corona and thinks about her family and their story long into the night. Lush watercolor illustrations showcase Abuela's garden and the joy that is bursting inside of Corina. Colorful and vivid spreads welcome readers to the garden and the celebrations, sharing the beauty of Corina's world and the love shared with family and friends. The text follows Corina and Abuela as they enjoy this important time together, with Corina asking Abuela about the corona as she explores the garden, and Abuela sharing the importance of family. VERDICT A gorgeous picture book celebrating tradition, family, and memories. Highly recommended for school and public libraries.--Selenia Paz

In this picture book debut from Kemp (Heartbreak Symphony), a Latinx child named Corina celebrates a birthday by making a flower corona using personally significant flowers from Abuela's garden. Sensory-focused, expectant first-person narration draws readers in: "It looks like la tierra is throwing una fiesta. Today, the party is for me." Watercolor images from Chavarri (I'll Hold Your Hand) bring Abuela's sprawling, variegated planting to lush life as Corina picks flowers that offer reminders of family: a sunflower for Mamá's favorite color, morning glories that resemble the trumpet Abuelo once played, and sword lilies that signify pretend sword fights with Papá. Next are flowers that represent the future, including hope-suggesting esperanzas and strong daisies. After Corina's garden party comes and goes, night brings with it the end of a birthday, a wilting crown, and a reminder about family and memory. Highlighting seasonal cycles and the natural passage of time, it's a lushly told story that emphasizes the role of the past in the present and future: when Corina asks Abuela why their family wears crowns, she replies that "when we place la corona on our head, we become its roots, reaching back through time to hold on to the things that matter." Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Andrea Morrison, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Claire Easton, Painted Words. (Feb.)