BOOK REVIEW : GOING UP! BY SHERRY J. LEE

TITLE : Going Up!

AUTHOR : Sherry J. Lee

ILLUSTRATED BY : Charlene Chua

GENRE : Children’s Fiction, Graphic Novel, Picture Books

FBRC RATING : 5 stars

BLURB :

An elevator ride to a birthday party turns into a shared experience bursting with joy in this multicultural story about community, togetherness and the special feeling of belonging.

Today is Olive’s birthday party, and Sophie and her dad have baked cookies. Sophie’s dad holds the platter so Sophie can push the elevator button for the tenth floor. But on the way up, the elevator stops to let the Santucci brothers get on. Then on the next floor, Vicky, Babs and their dog, Norman, get in. And as the elevator ascends, it keeps stopping, and more neighbors squeeze in to the crowded space: the Habibs, the Flores family, Mr. Kwan, Vi Tweedle with her Chihuahua, Minx. Everyone is going to the party!

Playfully combining the excitement and anticipation of a party with children’s universal love of riding in elevators, Sherry J. Lee’s picture book story is ultimately about community and a sense of belonging. With characters from many cultural backgrounds, it showcases the everyday diversity that many urban children experience. Charlene Chua’s illustrations provide loads of funny details and visual narratives that aren’t in the text, making for a multilayered reading experience. The book’s tall, narrow trim size adds to the effect of the rising elevator. 

FBRC REVIEW :

DISCLAIMER : I received an ARC( advance review copy) of this book for free from NetGalley and Kids Can Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you, NetGalley and Kids Can Press for providing me with an e-ARC of this book.

I loved this book. It was fun, vibrant, simplistic in its executions with beautiful illustrations. The story is that of Sophie and her dad who gets invited to attend a birthday party. They bake cookies and get the elevator to ride to the 10th floor. On their way up people from different floors get on. The story shows a wonderful cast of characters and they all share their ride happily. The comfort, sense of community is evident and we see they all have good relationship and friendships with one another. The urban experience of living in buildings and the riding of elevator to different homes, the multicultural diversity you get from the Urban living is all beautifully illustrated.

I think this will be a great picture book for kids to read and is very simple, short sentences won’t intimidate young ones either. It will be good for the kids to see the diverse cast interacting, having friendships in today’s world to learn about love, acceptance, and respect for every other person you meet.

I think this would be a great book for young kids and I will definitely want a copy for my kids as well. I think this would be a good story for them as well. I gave the book 5 stars and highly recommend it.