Jabari tries to build something by himself, but learns it is better to do it with a partner.

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Jabari returns in this second picture-book devoted to his adventures, following upon Jabari Jumps, this time trying to build a flying machine in his back yard. His father gardens in the background, and his sister Nika flits about in her butterfly wings, but Jabari insists he wants to work alone. Eventually Jabari lets Nika help him, but his flying machine still crashes, leading his father to step in with some words of wisdom about how to deal with frustration. Calming down and pulling himself together, Jabari tries again, together with Nika, and this time they are successful...

Jabari Tries is another engaging story about this young African-American boy, his loving family, and his experiences trying new things. It pairs an engaging narrative that is reminiscent of titles like Rosie Revere, Engineer, which also features a tale of a young inventor who must learn to deal with initial failure, with expressive artwork created using pencil, watercolor and collage. I particularly liked the warm family dynamic here, as Jabari's father lets him get on with it, but is available in the background when his son needs some help or advice. I also really liked the fact that Jabari eventually includes his younger sister, convinced to do so by his father's argument that most great inventors have partners or assistants.

It was a little surprising to see, in the scene where Jabari thinks of inventors and scientists who have had to use creative problem-solving, that none of the figures mentioned - Lewis Howard Latimer, Dr. Flossie Wong-Staal, Roy Allela, Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson - were familiar to me, leading me to google them. At first I really liked this, as I thought the author was trying to highlight lesser-known STEM innovators, but as I thought about it some more, I began to wonder whether a child Jabari's age would know about them, or think of them first, when trying to invent a flying machine. Wouldn't people like the Wright Brothers be more likely to pop into his head? It then occurred to me that they might have been chosen along racial lines, to deliberately exclude Europeans or Euro-Americans, which, if true, would be very unfortunate. It sends the entirely wrong messages, and, given the current zeitgeist, feels a bit like pandering. Perhaps I am doing author/illustrator Gaia Cornwall an injustice, but the toxic state of our national discussion on race lately has led me to really think about these issues, and to read recently published children' books more carefully, when it comes to the subtle messages they send. I sincerely hope the intention here was not to communicate the idea that children can only be inspired by the achievements of others if they share a racial or ethnic identity, or that there is something more admirable about STEM achievement when it comes from specific identity groups.

Leaving that aside - it is a minor scene, and while I do think it's important to consider its subtle messages, it does not effect the overall flow of the story - I would recommend this one to young would-be inventors, to picture-book readers seeking stories about loving African-American families, and to those who enjoyed Jabari Jumps. ( )

Jabari first appeared in Jabari Jumps, where, with the support of his dad, he tackles his fear and makes his first dive. The faded colors and somewhat static faces aren't my personal preference for art, but the strong story made this a popular pick for many libraries.

Now Jabari returns with several new challenges, all helping him learn how to deal with frustration, develop patience, and learn to cooperate. Jabari, his dad, and his little sister Nika are spending the day out in the yard. Jabari has a plan - to make a flying machine - and he doesn't need any help. Not from his dad, not from Nika. As Jabari suffers setback after setback, he thinks of famous Black inventors, and keeps trying. With his dad's gentle coaching, he lets Nika be his partner, does some deep breathing to handle his frustration, and finally his flying machine works!

Soft, faded greens fill the backyard, contrasting with the rich, dark colors of Jabari and his family's skin and hair and the dirt his dad is using in the garden. Jabari is dressed in oranges, reds, and blues, the same colors that decorate his flying machine, while Nika sports a polka-dot blue shirt, patterned ochre wings, and a variety of costumes from a fringed cowgirl suit to a fluffy blue tutu.

Verdict: A gentle and encouraging story to help young listeners overcome frustration and keep trying, this will be a strong choice for classroom read-alouds and fit in well with storytimes focused on concepts like making mistakes, cooperation, and being resilient when things don't work out as you plan.

ISBN: 9781536207163; Published September 2020 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library

With his trademark confidence, Jabari announces to his father, "I'm making a flying machine today!" His little sister Nika wants to help, but Jabari brushes her off at first. When his first efforts fail, his dad gently suggests, "What if you thought of her more like a partner?" And with Nika's help, Jabari does make a flying machine. Confidence restored, he proclaims, "Rocket to Jupiter is next!"

JABARI TRIES follows the same pattern/format laid out in JABARI JUMPS, but is an original, stand-alone book as well. A second dose of Black Boy Joy, with a supportive, present father engaged in his own gardening project in the background of Jabari's rocket science. (Will Nika get her own book? The door is open for Black Girl Magic next...)

See also: The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires; Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty ( )