The Electric Slide and Kai, Kelly J. Baptist, Darnell Johnson (Picture Book)

Summary: The Electric Slide and Kai

The Electric Slide and Kai is Kelly J. Baptist’s new picture book. She’s the author of Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero.

Kai is from a family of dancers, and he seems to be the odd man out. The family has been invited to their Auntie Nina’s wedding, and Kai and his siblings will have roles in the wedding. Kai immediately becomes worried because he has a history of messing up his moves. He even tripped over someone the last time he tried the electric slide.

Although discouraged, Kai is determined to join his family’s traditions and enlists his entire family’s help to improve his dance skills.

The Good

This is a super sweet picture book! I love picture books featuring older kids and warm family dynamics, especially in Black families. The electric slide is a popular wedding dance move, especially at Black weddings, so it was nice to see it woven into the story and even the book title.

I also really like the illustrations in this book. Illustrator Darnell Johnson does a fantastic job of bringing Kai and his family to life. As in any story about families and dance, there’s a lot of cute sibling interaction in this book, and Kai has some sweet moments with his grandpa.

Overall: The Electric Slide and Kai

The Electric Slide and Kai is a feel-good picture book about dance, family, and belonging. This picture book also shows the power of perseverance and will teach kids not to give up too quickly on things they may not be the best at. It also shows that you don’t always have to be the best at things to enjoy them. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for anything Baptist writes next, but first, I have to read Isaiah Dunn!