Zora, the Story Keeper

PreS-Gr 1--Zora wants to be like Aunt Bea when she grows up. A gifted storyteller with a trunk of costumes, Aunt Bea tells the best stories about their family members as she throws on the costumes and uses funny voices. There's Grandma Jean who used to coach a swim team and Grandpa Tom who was a preacher. Zora and Aunt Bea turn the kitchen into a stage as they act out these stories from the past. When Aunt Bea starts needing to rest more and is not telling the stories as well, Zora begins to worry. It'll be okay. Even after Aunt Bea passes on, Zora knows she's been well-equipped to carry on the tradition. This book is a poignant reminder to readers that though the people they love will die, they will live on in stories. In addition to the vibrantly illustrated pages, there are also photographs from the author's and illustrator's lives interspersed throughout. Black characters of varied skin tones and hair textures grace the picture book's pages. VERDICT A family's stories pass down to the next generation of story keepers in this beautifully illustrated work that's a must-purchase for picture book collections.--Myiesha Speight

A child named Zora recounts their adventures with Aunt Bea, "the best storyteller I know," in this moving picture book. A former acting teacher, Aunt Bea dresses up to perform stories, including those about relatives written in the "family book." Textured images contrast Aunt Bea's entertaining costumed performances, in full color, with sepia-tone scenes of the duo's family; Aunt Bea wears a swim cap to act out Grandma Jean's time as a swim coach, and dabs her forehead while pantomiming Grandpa Tom's sermons. Sometimes Zora joins Aunt Bea, making the kitchen a stage. Zora wonders what Aunt Bea will write on Zora's page, a question that goes unanswered when Aunt Bea becomes sick, then dies. At a family celebration of Bea's life, Zora is given the family book and an envelope of photos of Zora and Aunt Bea together. On one page is written "Zora, the Story Keeper"--alongside plenty of room for Zora to tell Aunt Bea's story, and others. Wilkins (If You Traveled on the Underground Railroad) and Coulter (An American Story) create a tender, smartly constructed tribute to love, storytelling, and family history. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Alyssa Eisner Henkin, Trident Media Group. Illustrator's agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. (Oct.)