TOGETHER WE ARE SUNSHINE

A middle sibling describes the joys—and occasional challenges—of outdoor adventures.

Sanaa, the trio’s eldest, intrepidly guides her younger siblings through meadows and woods, over a lily pond, and onto the tall branches of a tree. Haala, who narrates, wants nothing more than to bask in Sanaa’s exuberantly glowing energy, but younger sister Munira “always interrupts and makes me miss what Sanaa’s doing.” Munira blocks the sun, lags behind the others, and bumps into Haala. Haala’s frustrations spill over, and the protagonist’s frown makes Munira’s grin vanish. But Sanaa is more forgiving; her giggles “make a person feel good,” regardless of mistakes. Halaa soon learns to offer some shine, too, when Munira most needs a boost. Recognizing the power of kindness, Haala realizes that “we don’t need magic wands. Maybe we just need us.” Award-winning author Thompkins-Bigelow, recognized for creating books centering Black and Muslim characters, finds exquisite synergy with Figueroa’s warm, welcoming art, which favors vibrantly golden and saturated chartreuse hues. Her engaging spreads invite audiences to dance with the dandelions, sway and spin to create a swish-swishing song, listen for goldfish secrets, scale new heights, and even part the very clouds to call back the sunshine. All three characters are brown-skinned.

A vivid celebration of the extraordinary power of sisterhood.