The Electric Slide and Kai

by Kelly J. Baptist, Darnell Johnson (Illustrator)

Overview

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!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781643794686
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books
Publication date:	03/02/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	49 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Kelly J. Baptist grew up in southwest Michigan, and after living in Alabama, Florida, and Minnesota, she is right back in her home state! The Electric Slide and Kai is her first picture book, but she followed it up with another musical tale, The Band In Our Basement. Kelly is the author of five middle grade novels, including the award-winning Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero and the NAACP Image Award nominated Eb & Flow. She's a huge Kobe Bryant fan and constantly applies his Mamba Mentality to the craft of writing. Kelly is an HBCU grad (Oakwood University) and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. You can visit her on Instagram @kellyiswrite and online at kellyiswrite.com. Darnell Johnson discovered his passion for art while watching Saturday morning cartoons as a kid. He pulled inspiration from his childhood, family, and friends to draw life into the characters for The Electric Slide and Kai. He hopes the illustrations draw young readers into a story that encourages them to be who they are created to be. Get out there and do your best. You can visit him online at www.studiojomei.com

Editorial Reviews

* "An all-around wonderful book that will inspire laughter and perhaps even a little dancing." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A simple, sweet story about a small boy's journey to feeling accepted." — Booklist

"An uplifting story with just the right mix of humor [and] family love." — School Library Journal

"This uplifting story of one kid's struggle to fit in with his own family will resonate with readers who have similar insecurities." — The Horn Book

Best of the Best Booklist Winner - Black Caucus of the American Library Association
Star of the North Award Nominee 2022 - Minnesota Youth Reading Award
Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr. - Florida Association for Media in Education

From the Publisher