The Gathering Table

In an artfully rendered picture book that spans numerous events, a child recounts a Black family’s tradition of standing around a table under a river birch tree that’s draped with Spanish moss. Eady (The Last Stand) movingly traces the occasions, along the way highlighting ideals about what the table represents. In an early scene, generations gather to honor “Grandpa and Grandma... for the family they’ve built.” The child protagonist makes a face as the grandparents exchange loving kisses: “This is the table of love. (Sloppy love, if you ask me.)” The family also celebrates with fireworks and shows up for the narrator’s uncles’ wedding (“This is the table of pride”), before gathering for a low-country boil and a Juneteenth celebration (“This is the table of freedom”). Ladd (When I Hear Spirituals) employs acrylic paint, cut paper, and tissue paper, giving each verdant image impasto-like height, and elegantly underlining themes “Of love. Of hope. Of pride. Of freedom” as the family members come together again and again—never leaving empty-handed. An author’s note concludes. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator’s agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words. (May)