You Will Do Great Things

When a magically sparkling photo of a relative catches the eye of a young child portrayed with brown skin, they are swept into a dreamy fantasy world of imagined adventures. As the dauntless child dances, climbs among trees with gauzy leaved branches, rides a brilliantly plumed phoenix-like bird, and collects a rainbow of glowing orbs, they meet and are spurred on by figures who seem to be ancestors, cued as Black and of East Asian heritage. Figueroa blends elements of reality and reverie in fancifully hued digital landscapes. Songwriter Amerie’s rhyming verse encourages self-discovery (“Listen for that teeny voice// That’s always been inside.// It will help you find your way.// Trust it to be your guide”) and reminds readers that the support and love of family—even those who came before—surrounds them always. “You will be the things/ Those before us couldn’t be.// And you will carry in your heart// The power of their dreams.” Ages 4–8. (Mar.)