Ot, Ana. The Heart Never Forgets. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2024. 978-1-665-91305-8. $18.99. 40 p. Grades K-3.

It is the day of the West African masquerade, the village is abuzz, but a young girl has mixed feelings as the drums begin the beat. She usually loves the masquerade, but this will be the first year her family attends without her grandpa. As all of her family gathers at the celebration, they reminisce about her grandpa, swapping memories and donning items in his honor. The young girl also wants to honor her grandpa and show him that he is always in her heart, so she decides to join the dancers and dance for grandpa.

THOUGHTS: This book is full of richness, sharing culture, traditions, family, and loss. At first readers will be intrigued as the village gathers for the masquerade, but then the subject matter goes deeper as you learn of the little girl’s loss and how she tries to cope without her grandpa. The backmatter on West African masquerades provides further details for readers about this tradition. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Picture Book