SEPTEMBER 2020 - AudioFile
Written and narrated by the niece of vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris, this uplifting audiobook was inspired by a true story from Kamala’s childhood involving her sister Maya. With a fast pace and a bold, confident tone, Harris describes the young sisters’ idea to turn the unused courtyard of their apartment building into a playground. Harris brings a dramatic flair to her narration that will engage listeners even if they aren’t familiar with the real-life characters. Listeners hear the girls’ exasperation when everyone says no to their project and their exuberance as they persist to achieve their goal. The author’s note conveys a personal connection and describes her admiration for both her mother and her aunt’s “fierce determination to conquer the world.” S.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
"An inspirational reminder to choose courage over fear, Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea teaches a powerful lesson: if you’re willing to fight with everything you’ve got, no dream is too big. A must read for little girls around the world." — Elizabeth Warren, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts
“Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea is an inspiring tale that shows children the art of the possible when cooperation and imagination meet determined young minds. A simple but moving lesson on the power of organizing will resonate for this next generation of young leaders. More importantly, it will spark those who feel too small to chase their own big ideas and change their corner of our world.” — Stacey Abrams, Former Minority Leader, Georgia House of Representatives; Founder and Chair, Fair Fight Action
“I love this book—the power of persistence and being bold is one of the most important lessons we can teach young people.” — Megan Rapinoe, Co-Captain, U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team
Megan Rapinoe
I love this book—the power of persistence and being bold is one of the most important lessons we can teach young people.
Elizabeth Warren
"An inspirational reminder to choose courage over fear, Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea teaches a powerful lesson: if you’re willing to fight with everything you’ve got, no dream is too big. A must read for little girls around the world."
Stacey Abrams
Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea is an inspiring tale that shows children the art of the possible when cooperation and imagination meet determined young minds. A simple but moving lesson on the power of organizing will resonate for this next generation of young leaders. More importantly, it will spark those who feel too small to chase their own big ideas and change their corner of our world.
SEPTEMBER 2020 - AudioFile
Written and narrated by the niece of vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris, this uplifting audiobook was inspired by a true story from Kamala’s childhood involving her sister Maya. With a fast pace and a bold, confident tone, Harris describes the young sisters’ idea to turn the unused courtyard of their apartment building into a playground. Harris brings a dramatic flair to her narration that will engage listeners even if they aren’t familiar with the real-life characters. Listeners hear the girls’ exasperation when everyone says no to their project and their exuberance as they persist to achieve their goal. The author’s note conveys a personal connection and describes her admiration for both her mother and her aunt’s “fierce determination to conquer the world.” S.C. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2021-02-02
Before she was the first biracial, Black and South Asian female vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris was a little girl with big dreams.
One morning, Kamala and her sister, Maya, look out the window of their apartment and realize that their building is missing something essential: a playground! Following their mother’s advice, Kamala writes (and Maya illustrates) a letter to the landlord asking for one in their building’s courtyard. When they deliver their letter, the landlord immediately says no—but Kamala and Maya won’t take that for an answer. After getting permission to build the playground themselves, Kamala, Maya, and the other kids in their building get organized. At first, most of the adults are too busy or too distracted to help them, and all they hear is no. But then Mr. Green says that maybe he could get materials for a sandbox—and, as far as Kamala and Maya are concerned, maybes can become yeses. By the end of the book, through ingenuity, perseverance, and cooperation, Maya and Kamala don’t just have their playground: They also have the confidence they need to become lifelong public servants. In this sunnily illustrated picture book, author Harris—Vice President Harris’ niece and Maya Harris’ daughter—imagines the details of a true story her mother told her growing up. The clear and readable storyline deftly balances optimism with the challenges of community organizing.
The perfect text for both budding activists and children interested in what Vice President Harris was like as a child. (author's note) (Picture book. 3-8)
