WE COULD BE MAGIC

Seventeen-year-old Tabitha Laurie has been a devoted fan of Sommerland theme park since she was a little girl.

Tabi, who has dark brown skin and Afro-textured hair, believes in the magic Sommerland offers—including the promise of true love—especially after facing the shock of her parents’ divorce. After securing a position in the park’s summer program for high schoolers, Tabi is excited, declaring that “happily ever after begins with working at Sommerland.” But she quickly learns that other employees don’t feel the same enthusiasm and in fact have numerous complaints about the guests and work conditions. Despite this, Tabi dreams of becoming a character actor—in particular Princess Madeline, the brown-skinned princess she was thrilled to meet as a child. But she’s assigned to a nacho stand instead. She auditions for one of the coveted princess positions but quickly learns that “there are no fat princesses in Sommerland.” As Tabi navigates her feelings of insecurity, she tries not to lose her sense of the park’s magic. The bright, colorful illustrations, which emphasize the characters’ emotions, set the stage for a delightfully affirming story of learning to accept yourself despite what others may say. Even with the very quick pacing, the storytelling is strong. Meyer explores themes of body positivity and bullying as Tabi contends with cutting comments about her size but ultimately creates and spreads joy with support from those who value her as she is.

A whimsical, enchanting, and celebratory read.