SUNNY WANTS TO PLAY

A young girl wishes she had siblings to play with, and neighborhood kids might fit the bill…or not.

Sunny and her extended family of parents, grandparents, aunties, and an uncle all live together in a Chinese-speaking country, as evidenced by shop signs and street scenes. Being the only child in a big, East Asian–presenting family can be lonely, and Sunny longs for “brothers and sisters like everyone else.” The adults certainly look boring as they sit around, run errands, or just nap, so Sunny entertains herself. One day, she gets a happy surprise: A neighbor child knocks at the door and brings Sunny to a nearby alley, where other kids are playing, blowing bubbles, dancing, and climbing. While Sunny is initially delighted to play with other children, a wayward ball kicked right into her face (“OUCH!”) sends her heading for the safety of home (“Phew!”) to snuggle up with her loving family. Maurey uses text sparingly, with only a few words or a single sentence on most pages; the gouache illustrations, which rely on bright colors with bold brush strokes and solid shapes, tell the bulk of the story. Sunny’s mint green dress, matching shoes, floppy sunhat, and pageboy haircut provide visual charm. Readers may be unsure what to make of her abrupt retreat, but overall it’s a charming slice-of-life tale that will especially resonate with only children.

Winning and relatable.