Going Up!

The enticing opening spread of Lee’s debut, featuring a clever vertical format, showcases an invitation to a birthday party for Olive, to be held in the “10th floor party room.” After arranging cookies on a platter, Sophie and her father, both brown-skinned, leave their first-floor apartment and push the elevator button, galvanizing a jolly journey upward. Spirits run high—and the elevator becomes increasingly and comically crowded—as it stops at each floor and an affable, multicultural group of neighbors joins the two. The fun is supplied by Chua’s (Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao) mixed-media, crayon-hued pictures of festively attired party guests, who include the tattooed Santucci brothers; Mr. and Mrs. Habib and their two grandchildren, dressed as superheroes and holding a bowl of gulab jamun; and the six-member Flores family, all (save the baby) wearing their dancing shoes. On the top floor, a double gatefold opens to reveal the invitees eagerly pouring out of the elevator—and the guest of honor’s identity. An added diversion is watching a ready-to-party feline sneaking in and out of the revelry. Ages 3–7. Illustrator’s agent: Tracy Marchini, BookEnds Literary. [em](Apr.) [/em]