An extended South Asian American family enjoys a delicious summer together. Every year, all 15 of them gather at “a house that’s not any of ours, near the ocean and a lake.” Now that baby Leela has arrived, narrator Ravi is no longer the youngest of the family. But he still looks up to his oldest cousin, Dhruv. Feeling shy, Ravi is pleased when Dhruv kindly includes him, inviting Ravi to paddleboard and encouraging him as Ravi takes a turn on the rope swing. (He was too scared to swing last summer.) Ravi wonders if Dhruv remembers that they have something in common: their favorite ice cream flavor, which unfortunately is never available at the ice cream stand. The cousins’ days are filled with summer fun: They swim and swing, hike and bike, and play mini golf. When it rains, they read or nap or piece together a jigsaw puzzle. The days end with drive-in movies and, of course, ice cream. When it’s the cousins’ turn to make dinner, Ravi’s contribution is … a blue plastic ball? The kids roll it around, confused, until Ravi opens it to reveal a treat: ice cream! Dhruv takes the first spoonful. “‘Banana,’ he says. He puts an arm around [Ravi’s] shoulders. ‘Our favorite!’” Colorful, saturated digital illustrations show cousins of all ages playing together in a sweet and joyful story that celebrates personal growth and the enduring love of extended family. (Ages 4-8)

From Newbery honor author Rajani LaRocca and illustrator Abhi Alwar comes a celebration of extended family and summertime fun expressed in a picture book full of joyful, color art.

Summer is for cousins.
Mom and Dad,
Two uncles, two aunties,
Thatha and Pati,
Seven cousins,
All of us are together.

Ravi can’t wait to spend summer vacation at the lake house with his family—especially his cousins! Summer vacation is for days at the beach, long hikes, paddleboarding, and—of course—ice cream. Ravi and his oldest cousin, Dhruv, had the same favorite flavor last year, but everything feels different now.

Dhruv’s much taller and his voice is deeper. Ravi’s worried that Dhruv won’t be interested in spending time with him, the little cousin. The ice cream shop doesn’t even have their favorite flavor this year. But on the last night of vacation, the cousins decide to make dinner, and Ravi’s in charge of dessert. He only has one special thing in mind!

This picture book all about summertime fun celebrates the resilient bond between extended family members.