"Every summer a young girl looks forward to her cousins coming to town. All the cousins have nicknames for themselves, and this summer the young girl is determined to earn her own nickname as well"-- - (Baker & Taylor)

A fun, lively story of Black family and cousin culture that celebrates individuality and embraces differences.

One of the New York Public Library's Best Books for Kids in 2021!

Nominated, Bank Street College of Education's 2022 Irma S. Black Award

"This endearing picture book from Shanté (The Noisy Classroom, 2020) is a beautiful ode to Black families and the bond cousins have. . . Shanté's love letter to Black families and the typical relationship Black children have with their cousins is smartly complemented by Morris' bold, vivid illustrations of the cousins' summer antics, often from the main character's perspective. This story about wanting to feel included will be a storytime must!"
—Booklist

"An adorable book about being true to yourself and the joys of family, especially cousins."
—Kirkus Reviews

"Layered, collage-style art by Morris features rounded panels and centers warm relationships. Shanté aptly portrays the experiences of a young city denizen, peppering the family-centered tale with resonant cultural details."
—Publishers Weekly

Fitting in can be hard, but standing out isn’t easy either!

Every summer a young girl eagerly waits for her cousins to come visit and celebrate her birthday. All her cousins are unique in their own ways and have earned cool nicknames for themselves… except for the girl. But this year things are going to be different. This year before summer ends, she’s determined to earn her own nickname!

Filled with warmth, love, and laughter, When My Cousins Come to Town brings all the energy and love of a big family to prove that you don’t need to be anyone else to be special—just the way you are is exactly right!

Booklist Reviews

This endearing picture book from Shanté (The Noisy Classroom, 2020) is a beautiful ode to Black families and the bond cousins have. The main character is a young Black girl who is anticipating the arrival of her cousins, who typically come to stay with her for the summer. She is the smallest of her cousins and clearly looks up to them and all of their accomplishments. One thing that each of the cousins has in common is that they've all done something to deserve a nickname. This year, the littlest protagonist has decided that she is old enough to have a fun nickname as well. Throughout the summer, the main character imitates her cousins in hopes that something she does will become a newly minted nickname. Shanté's love letter to Black families and the typical relationship Black children have with their cousins is smartly complemented by Morris' bold, vivid illustrations of the cousins' summer antics, often from the main character's perspective. This story about wanting to feel included will be a storytime must! Grades K-2. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

The cardinal rule of nicknames is that you cannot name yourself. Knowing this, a little girl is hopeful that this is the summer her cousins finally choose a nickname for her. The main character, an African American girl with her hair in Fulani braids and gold beads, can count on three things every summer: Her seven cousins will arrive in the city when school lets out, they will watch The Wiz together, and before they leave they will give her an "amazing" birthday present. This summer, more than anything, she wants that present to be a nickname of her very own. She takes on the characteristics of each of her cousins in turn to see if their nicknames will fit her, and when they don’t, she worries that there may not be a name for her. On the last day of the visit, when her birthday present seems in danger of being lost, she finds a way to help and finally earns her nickname. Shante effectively communicates the young narrator’s increasing anxiety as her birthday approaches, concluding statement after statement with worry. Morris’ illustrations complement this, the narrator’s expressive face and posture the visual embodiments of worry. Overall, they capture the closeness of this family, rendering their skin in many shades of brown and giving the cousins different hairstyles. An adorable book about being true to yourself and the joys of family, especially cousins. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus 2021 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

The unnamed first-person narrator, a Black girl with round red spectacles, topknots, and braids, "can feel it in my pinky": when her six cousins visit the city this summer, she'll finally earn a nickname from them. As each cousin arrives, the protagonist attempts their specialty. From oldest cousin Lynn (nicknamed "Spice"), the narrator requests cooking lessons, which go awry. To emulate musical twins Shamyia and Eli ("Star" and "DJ-E"), she practices singing in the mirror, resulting only in the neighbors—represented by a variety of fists in varying skin tones—"bang on the wall to get me to stop." The summer proceeds in this manner, culminating in a birthday reveal. Layered, collage-style art by Morris features rounded panels and centers warm relationships. Shanté aptly portrays the experiences of a young city denizen, peppering the family-centered tale with resonant cultural details. Ages 6–9. (May)

School Library Journal Reviews

K-Gr 3—A bespectacled Black girl with dark hair narrates how her cousins have nicknames based on their strengths. She recounts story after story of their feats and talent, and how she alone does not have a nickname. The author gives readers a unique look into extended family relationships beyond siblings and parents. It's long, repetitive, and text heavy, conveying the message that talent is not always apparent but will emerge under certain circumstances. A good story to share when discussing different family units, this will keep children guessing at story hours. VERDICT A rite-of-passage story that honors and amplifies the importance of extended families.—Ruth Guerrier-Pierre, New York P.L.