Debut authors Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran--who are also sisters-in-law--create an empowering picture book in Piper Chen Sings, gloriously enhanced by the wondrous illustrations of Qin Leng (Over the Shop; The Better Tree Fort).
Young Piper is a musical force, "always singing out a tune," from greeting the "peeking sun" until saying goodnight to the "cresting moon." In her favorite class at school, Mr. Harris recognizes her talented enthusiasm and offers her a solo in the upcoming Spring Sing. Her initially excited "Yes!" doesn't last long, however, because suddenly, "she can only sing in a worried whisper."
By the time she returns home, Piper's twirling, bouncing, hopping melodies are gone. "I felt like butterflies were having a dance party in my belly," Piper explains to her grandmother. "Húdié," Năi Nai interprets, the Chinese word for butterfly. These butterflies, she gently offers, are actually encouraging visitors who announce "something exciting [is] ahead." Năi Nai shares stories of her own performances (she is a talented piano player), and the many other nervous-but-celebratory events of her life, including immigration, graduation, motherhood, and becoming a U.S. citizen. On the night of the show, Piper channels all Năi Nai's reassuring wisdom, welcomes the butterflies... and sings.
Soo, the award-winning performer who originated the role of Eliza in the musical Hamilton, reveals in her author's bio that this story is inspired by her own journey dealing with stage fright as a young child. The sisters-in-law fill their pages with an infectious buoyancy that's reflected in a narrative peppered with dynamic descriptions like "bopping... to the beat," "voices vibrating," "butterflies flapping their wings and flying side to side," and "fluttering up and out in the world."
Artist Leng's whimsical ink, watercolor, and oil pastel drawings are rife with details and delights. Her endpapers open and close the book with a spectacular kaleidoscope of húdié; in between, Piper, with her bangs always slightly askew, is virtually unstoppable--as long as she's singing. Even with Piper's poignant transformation when she's dampened by nerves, Leng surrounds Piper with her pup's devoted, hopeful support. Leng's settings are especially marvelous: her classroom is filled with diverse, eager students; backstage is cluttered with unused props and equipment behind the children getting ready to take the spotlight. Soo, Doran, and Leng ensure Piper soars. --Terry Hong
Shelf Talker: Debut authors Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran, buoyed by Qin Leng's delightful illustrations, offer empowering, entertaining encouragement in Piper Chen Sings.