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From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

An extended South Asian American family enjoys a delicious summer together. Every year, all 15 of them gather at “a house that’s not any of ours, near the ocean and a lake.” Now that baby Leela has arrived, narrator Ravi is no longer the youngest of the family. But he still looks up to his oldest cousin, Dhruv. Feeling shy, Ravi is pleased when Dhruv kindly includes him, inviting Ravi to paddleboard and encouraging him as Ravi takes a turn on the rope swing. (He was too scared to swing last summer.) Ravi wonders if Dhruv remembers that they have something in common: their favorite ice cream flavor, which unfortunately is never available at the ice cream stand. The cousins’ days are filled with summer fun: They swim and swing, hike and bike, and play mini golf. When it rains, they read or nap or piece together a jigsaw puzzle. The days end with drive-in movies and, of course, ice cream. When it’s the cousins’ turn to make dinner, Ravi’s contribution is … a blue plastic ball? The kids roll it around, confused, until Ravi opens it to reveal a treat: ice cream! Dhruv takes the first spoonful. “‘Banana,’ he says. He puts an arm around [Ravi’s] shoulders. ‘Our favorite!’” Colorful, saturated digital illustrations show cousins of all ages playing together in a sweet and joyful story that celebrates personal growth and the enduring love of extended family. (Ages 4-8)

CCBC Choices 2024 © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2024. Used with permission.

From School Library Journal

November 24, 2023

K-Gr 3-Every summer, Ravi and his extended family journey to a rented house on the beach for a vacation spent all together. This year, everyone seems older, especially Ravi's oldest cousin Dhruv, and Ravi experiences some shyness around his more mature relative. But summer is for cousins, and it is also for ice cream, which gives Ravi the inspiration he needs to create a dessert that further enhances the close-knit bonds within his multifaceted family. The feeling of a childhood summer pours from the pages of this book thanks to its vibrant colors and dynamic visuals. The illustrations are an homage to the crayon-centric drawings children often create to document their memories, and visible outlines and cartoonlike imagery are used throughout. Overt facial features help readers recognize the emotions playing out on the faces of Ravi's family, as well. Told from Ravi's perspective, this story invites readers in from the first pages, and audiences will appreciate the joy that Ravi exudes while vacationing with his loved ones. This narrative speaks particularly strongly to families who come together from far away for a special week every year, though it is accessible as a window to readers who do not share Ravi's experiences. VERDICT This is a fun book to include in library collections that showcase families in their many forms.-Mary R. Lanni

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

From Horn Book

July 1, 2023
"Summer is for cousins. Mom and Dad, two uncles, two aunties, Thatha and Pati, seven cousins. All of us are together." This energetic family's summer vacation, with a full schedule of daily activities, encapsulates the inevitable combination of ritual and change that permeates life. In a first-person narrative, Ravi explains how his whole extended family descends on a house near an ocean and a lake. From there, the story launches into a flurry of sandcastle building, swimming, hiking, and more. Ravi is eager for a replay of all the summers before, but his beloved oldest cousin now seems more grown-up, and Ravi worries that their relationship may have changed too. This concern is punctuated by the frustration that he can no longer find their mutual favorite ice-cream flavor. The summer starts and ends with ice cream, the circular story arc highlighting that despite growth and change, the best parts of old rituals can become new ones with a little effort. Active compositions in the warm, textured art glow with golds and purples, making the joys of summer palpable. The figures of the family, sometimes together and sometimes dispersed around the pages, are full of movement. This story, with its irresistible atmosphere, shows how to realize and share the delights of the season. Julie Roach

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

From Booklist

Starred review from April 15, 2023
Preschool-Grade 2 *Starred Review* Ravi looks forward to his family's annual vacation, when they join his two uncles, two aunts, and seven cousins, all sharing a house near the ocean and a lake. Ravi used to be the youngest child, but now baby Leela has that role, so Ravi joins his older cousins for wading, hiking, mini golf, biking, napping, and (on rainy days) puzzles. Encouraged by Dhruv, the eldest cousin and his favorite, Ravi is finally big enough to plunge into the lake from the tire swing. The grownups take turns making dinner each night until the last, when the kids take over for the final feast, followed by Ravi's homemade ice cream (his favorite flavor and Dhruv's too). Written in first person from Ravi's point of view, the narrative records his activities, thoughts, and concerns while showing why his extended family and this annual event are important to him. Reflecting the warmth of the text, the digital illustrations are childlike, expressive, intensely colorful, and sometimes joyfully chaotic. While the book is richer for its inclusion of elements reflecting LaRocca and Alwar's Indian American heritage, it really shines in its depiction of a happy, extended-family gathering, which is universally recognizable. A fond picture-book celebration of summer days and family ties.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From Publisher's Weekly

Starred review from March 27, 2023
During summer, a South Asian—cued family fills a house "that's not any of ours,/ near the ocean/ and a lake" with three generations and seven cousins: "All of us are together." Second-youngest cousin Ravi narrates, describing the family's seasonal activities and observing that the oldest cousin, Dhruv, has developed a deeper voice. Ravi shyly wonders if Dhruv remembers that they share the same favorite ice cream flavor. Expressive lines by Alwar (Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates) offer sketchbook energy in saturated jewel-tone hues to spreads bursting with activity as cousins pile out of cars, descend upon a local ice cream stand, range across the beach, and more. After jumping off a formerly intimidating rope swing, Ravi realizes that Dhruv may have matured, but "now I'm bigger, too." Gleefully reprising the line "summer is for cousins," LaRocca (I'll Go and Come Back) builds to a cousin-made dinner that gives Ravi the opportunity to reveal the favorite ice cream flavor, catalyzing a moment of connection: "Our favorite!" Dhruv says. Conveying the warmth and coziness of a bustling family vacation, the creators highlight the way families can supply companionship, support, and benchmarks for growth. Ages 4—8. Author's agent: Brent Taylor, Triada US. Illustrator's agent: Alexandra Levick, Writers House.

From Kirkus

Starred review from March 1, 2023
People may grow and change, but familial love stays the same. Every summer, Ravi goes to a beach house with "Mom and Dad, two uncles, two aunties, Thatha and Pati, [and] seven cousins." Second youngest cousin Ravi has a special bond with oldest cousin Dhruv. This year, though, Dhruv seems taller and even more mature, and Ravi wonders if Dhruv remembers all the things that made their relationship special--like their shared love of banana ice cream, which neither one of them can ever seem to find. At first, Ravi feels timid around Dhruv; when Dhruv offers to take Ravi paddleboarding, Ravi nods instead of speaking. But then, at the lake, Dhruv encourages Ravi to take a turn on the tire swing. Leaping triumphantly into the water--something the child never would have done a year ago--Ravi realizes that Dhruv isn't the only one who has changed since last year: Ravi has, too! One night, when all of the cousins decide to make dinner for the adults, Ravi finds a way to prepare the beloved banana ice cream that involves all the kids. It's clear that though relationships evolve over time, they can still stay strong. Framed by the cousins' endearingly boisterous antics, Ravi's evolution is heartwarming, realistic, and beautifully paced. The cartoonlike illustrations and soft, smudged palette perfectly accompany the warm, quietly lyrical text. Characters are of South Asian descent. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A gorgeous ode to change, growth, togetherness, and family. (Picture book. 2-7)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.