FICTION

Indigo Dreaming

by Dinah Johnson (text) & illus. by Anna Cunha
HarperCollins. Oct. 2022. 40p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780063080201.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 2–A young girl with brown skin and black hair wonders if somewhere across the ocean is another girl like her. Johnson’s near-rhyming verse is as lulling as the sea: “Every morning at day-clean, when the sun is just about to rise, I pretend that Indigo Beach is mine!” Cunha’s textured soft pastels create a wistful, dreamy atmosphere. Through the girl’s musings readers will learn words and phrases specific to her culture: day-clean, sweetgrass, goobers, Frogmore Stew, Karimba music. The author’s note explains that people who live on the South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida sea islands are called Gullah or GeeChee and descend from Sierra Leone. Relative isolation has preserved their culture and language and they still have much in common with their ancestors today.
VERDICT A gorgeous book that will touch every child’s longing to connect with someone “out there” who is like them.
Reviewed by Hillary Perelyubskiy , Sep 30, 2022

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

Noisy Christmas: My First Touch and Feel Sound Book
by Cox, Hettie
BOOKS

Five Sparkling Snowmen: A Rhyming Count Down Christmas Board Book
by Edwards, Nicola
BOOKS

A Magical Christmas: A Padded Christmas Story Book
by Freedman, Claire
BOOKS

Night Night, Sleepy Elves: A Lift-the-Flap Bedtime Christmas Book
by Wood, Selina
BOOKS

Love Is My Favorite Color
by Laden, Nina
BOOKS

Harriet’s Reflections
by Kadi, Marion
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?