Under the Same Sun
The premise may look ordinary: a group of siblings eagerly await the arrival of their grandmother and aunt, but the particulars and illustrations make clear that this tale will be different. The setting is Tanzania, and the visiting relations are from America. Part heartwarming family story, part travelogue, the narrative comfortably meanders as it describes both culturally rich at-home routines as well as an amazing excursion to the Serengeti National Park. As with any meaningful vacation, everyone is changed by the experience, especially when, on the last day, the group visits the ruins of an old slave-trading post. There the children learn a sobering truth: one of their ancestors had been captured and taken to America. Robinson bases the affecting story on her own family history, and Ford captures the memorable moments in luminous, full-spread oil paintings, while the historic revelation is set apart in nearly monochromatic sepia, allowing youngsters to pause and reflect. Grandmother’s closing words will resonate with all readers: “land and sea may be between us, but we are all under the same sun.” The book concludes with a note and information on Tanzania. Grades K-3. --Jeanne  McDermott