June 1, 2023
A child is introduced to a whole new language in this Filipino import. This gentle, spare narrative opens on Sam observing the new neighbors using Filipino Sign Language. Seeing "their hands move as if to music," Sam is curious. The neighbors' young daughter, Mai, walks to school with Sam, at first by happenstance, though later they intentionally seek each other out. The two become fast friends, letting loose and giggling as they carry their school books on their heads. A communication lapse occurs when Sam runs up the hill only for Mai to be left behind ("Mai thought that we were hiding behind a tree"). After the mix-up Mai decides to teach Sam some FSL, allowing Sam's "hands to dance." This opens the door to deeper confidence, and the children start sharing their hopes and dreams: "Mai wants to be a teacher. I want to protect our earth." Alvarez's deft use of space and color brings vibrancy and movement to the story and characters. The black lines representing Mai's flowing hair are paired with textured colors and objects invoking a dreamy tone. The duo cement their bond with the sign for friend. A detailed note on the history of Filipino Sign Language and sign language around the world follows. A visual glossary of FSL signs (with words listed in English and Filipino) is included, though curiously it does not indicate the movements of the signs. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A gentle and charming introduction to Filipino Sign Language. (Picture book. 5-8)

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August 14, 2023
Through a window, young Sam notices their neighbors sharing a meal and conversing in sign language at the start of this spare picture book: “Our new neighbors’ hands are dancing. Their hands move as if to music.” After Sam encounters the child, Mai, en route to school, the two become friends. As they bond, “There were times we didn’t understand each other. I thought we were running up the hill. Mai thought that we were hiding behind a tree.” To prevent further miscommunication, “Mai taught my hands to dance,” the two intertwining fingers, and they are soon sharing their sensory observations, likes, and dreams. Alvarez’s colored pencil and graphite illustrations statically convey each gesture, while distinctive, reiterative details—flower patterns, lined hair—mimic the concept of hands learning to echo one another. Skin tones reflect the white of the page. Notes on Filipino Sign Language and global sign languages conclude. Ages 3–5.

Starred review from September 29, 2023

PreS-Gr 2-In this heartwarming friendship story, young Sam is curious when she observes her new neighbors communicating with their hands rather than speech. Curiosity leads to familiarity as she and Mai, the family's daughter, become fast friends. Like any pair of friends, they play games, share hopes and dreams, and learn from each other. When Mai teaches Sam to sign after a minor miscommunication, the following pages are purposefully devoid of text, letting expansively illustrated spreads convey the girls' silent conversations. The textured colored pencil and graphite drawings are rendered in an earthy palette with a childlike, folksy feel that suits the narrative's warm, straightforward tone. While deafness is never mentioned explicitly within the story, an afterword provides context about Filipino Sign Language, and endpapers illustrate various FSL signs. VERDICT This beautifully uncomplicated tale of friendship with positive disability representation is an excellent choice for story times and a first purchase for picture book collections.-Allison Tran

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