Piper Chen Sings

Sisters-in-law Soo and Doran team up in an energetic debut that centers mindfulness and intergenerational wisdom. Twirling, bouncing, and hopping through her day, Piper Chen is "always singing out a tune." When her music teacher offers her a concert solo, enthusiastic Piper "lets her excitement answer, 'Yes!' " Soon after, however, butterflies start "having a dance party in my belly" and she no longer feels like singing. Fortunately, Piper's empathetic Naˇi Nai has a strategy to help, reframing the butterflies as visitors noting "when something exciting was ahead." Feeling the butterflies on performance day, Piper refocuses on the "love... fluttering through her, her family and friends, and her loving Naˇi Nai." Leng's vivacious artwork captures the drama and intensity of childhood experiences, from Piper's wide-mouthed, splayed-fingered singing in music class to a dejected face-plant on her bed. Piper's Chinese American heritage threads through text and illustration, and a glossary and pronunciation guide translates Standard Mandarin Chinese words used in the text. Background characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)

K-Gr 2--Piper Chen is a Chinese American girl who sings all day, everyday (which may be a nod to Soo, Hamilton star, Broadway actress, and singer). But when she is offered a solo in her school chorus concert, her voice is suddenly stopped by a swarm of butterflies. After speaking to her grandmother and learning to reframe these butterflies, Piper's story ends on a high note. While Soo and Pasquale Doran do not tread much new ground in the "feeling butterflies" territory, the language is both poetic and accessible, providing a useful framework for working through jitters. The illustrations are expressive and whimsical, showing a wonderfully creative use of perspective and movement. Children will be enraptured by the visuals, whether or not they identify with the story. VERDICT SEL at Broadway levels, this is recommended for collections needing a boost in stories about processing difficult emotions.--Maria Bohan

Debut authors Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran, buoyed by Qin Leng's delightful illustrations, offer empowering, entertaining encouragement in Piper Chen Sings. —Shelf Awareness 

A reassuring nudge to nervous listeners that their talents and identities can be shared, if they choose, and celebrated. —The Bulletin