Miguel and the Grand Harmony

If you've ever wondered what music might look like when it comes to life, look no further than this picture book inspired by the 2017 Disney/Pixar film Coco. The story, narrated by music itself in the form of a fairy-like figure, shows the profound impact of "La Música" on everything it touches, including weddings, funerals, quincineras, and more. A little boy, Miguel, who works in a shoemaking shop, does his best to find music anywhere he can. But his practical-minded abuelita scolds him: "stay away from the mariachis...do you want to upset Mamá Coco?" (Mamá Coco's role in the story remains unclear to anyone who hasn't seen the movie.) Still, Miguel pores over music videos on the VCR in his family's attic. The narrator, noting Miguel's passion, intervenes by leading him (via a stray dog named Dante) to a broken guitar discarded by a musician. After repairing the instrument, Miguel teaches himself to play, note by note. Miguel, says the narrator, "has become part of a grand harmony." Steeped in Latino culture, this picture book affirms the importance of family, ethnic traditions, and immersive musical experiences. Ramírez's lively, colorful, culturally rich illustrations will give young readers plenty to discover, while their retro appearance may remind adults of Little Golden Books and Disney cartoons from their own childhoods. michelle h. martin