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Summary
Summary
Kai is the only member of his family who can't get the dance steps to the Electric Slide right. But Kai is determined to bust a move in this fun and sweet celebration of African American families.
Kai's aunt is getting married, and everyone in the Donovan family is excited about the wedding ... except Kai. The highlight of every Donovan occasion is dancing the electric slide--a groovy line dance with footwork that Kai can't quite figure out. More than anything, he wants to prove that he can boogie with the rest of his family and earn a cool nickname from his granddad. Can Kai break through his nerves and break it down on the dance floor?
Told with humor and heart by author Kelly J. Baptist and lively illustrations from debut picture book artist Darnell Johnson, The Electric Slide and Kai is a funky celebration with all the right moves!
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 2--In the Donovan family, everyone has a dance nickname bestowed by Granddad except for Kai. After embarrassing himself during the electric slide at a family reunion, Kai decides he can't dance. When Kai's aunt Nina invites the family to her wedding, Kai becomes determined to learn the moves and earn approval (and the coveted nickname) from his grandfather. He approaches each family member, even his little sister Ava, known as "Baby Bounce," for advice and practices for the whole month before the wedding. Despite his preparations, Kai gets nervous at the reception and sneaks off the dance floor. With some encouragement from Mr. Troy, now his new uncle who's also eager for a nickname, Kai finally shows off his moves and becomes "Lil' Slide." Johnson's digital illustrations show this loving Black family in scenes that have a dynamic cartoon quality, well suited to conveying the fun dance moves (and Kai's blunders) as well as the child's many emotions throughout the story. VERDICT An uplifting story with just the right mix of humor, family love, and an unobtrusive lesson in persistence, plus a glowing look at the hubbub around a wedding, this is a recommended purchase.--Yelena Voysey, formerly at Pickering Educational Lib., Boston Univ.
Horn Book Review
Kai Donovan, an African American boy whose family members can all dance, feels he doesn't belong because he just can't. The last time he tried the Electric Slide, he knocked his little cousin over. Granddad has given each of Kai's siblings a dance-related nickname -- D.J. Groove, Miss Boogie, and Baby Bounce -- but so far, Kai has none. When a wedding invitation arrives from his aunt, Kai worries, knowing the Electric Slide will surely happen at the reception. He asks one of his sisters for lessons and practices diligently. On the wedding day, Kai surprises his whole family -- and Granddad finally gives him the perfect nickname. Johnson's colorful cartoon illustrations convey the family's verve and exuberance as effectively as they do Kai's worry and concern. Baptist's conversational text gives each character a distinct personality. This uplifting story of one kid's struggle to fit in with his own family will resonate with readers who have similar insecurities. And the centrality of the Electric Slide might prompt readers to turn on the tunes and get their own groove on. Michelle H. MartinMay/June 2021 p.101(c) Copyright 2021. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Kai lacks rhythm and, therefore, a dance nickname. When Auntie Nina announces that she's getting married, Kai gets to work practicing his dance moves in hopes of earning that nickname. In their African American family, Granddad gives everyone a nickname based on their electric slide dance moves. Baby sister Ava is dubbed "Baby Bounce," big sister Myla is "Miss Boogie," and older brother D.J. is "D.J. Groove," but Kai has yet to receive his. He is haunted by the memory of the time he couldn't figure out the dance moves and knocked over his little cousin. Determined to earn his nickname, Kai turns to his family for help, which they kindly provide. Despite this help, his desperation, and weeks of practice, when the big moment finally arrives, Kai slips away from the reception. What Kai doesn't know is that his new uncle Troy is also looking forward to his dance nickname, and he convinces Kai to return to the reception, where they will earn those new nicknames together. Kai's efforts to learn the electric slide are hilarious, making this story as much fun as the dance. The illustrations capture Kai in various states of confusion and dizziness and are sure to get giggles from readers. The underlying messages of familial closeness and perseverance serve as a foundation for the humor of the story and recall Kelly Starling Lyons and Daniel Minter's Going Down Home With Daddy (2019). An all-around wonderful book that will inspire laughter and perhaps even a little dancing. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
In the Donovan family, everyone has a dance nickname for their special moves except Kai, who can't do the Electric Slide without knocking someone over. No matter how much his parents try to comfort him by saying that he has his own special rhythm, Kai is worried he'll mess things up on the dance floor at an upcoming family wedding. But, determined, he takes lessons from his siblings and dad, practices for weeks, and watches video after video. Will he finally impress his grandpa and get the dance nickname he so desperately wants? This is a simple, sweet story about a small boy's journey to feeling accepted and special in a large family with even larger personalities. In this Lee & Low New Voices Award Honor book, both the story and the digitally rendered illustrations celebrate the Black experience and feature a family of color as they blissfully tear up the dance floor, and the ending--while satisfyingly predictable--has an unexpected moment where Kai is encouraged by his kind new uncle to achieve his goal.
