JUNE 2019 - AudioFile
Spritely music introduces poet Kwame Alexander’s ode to the joys of reading for the youngest listeners. In a friendly and enthusiastic voice, Alexander compares opening a book to peeling a clementine: “Next, dig your thumb at the bottom of each juicy section and pop the words out.” The short poem rewards repeat listening to tease out all of the meaning and imagery, and bibliophile adults will appreciate it as much as their children do. Alexander also reads his author’s note at the end, explaining the origins of his poem. Be sure to seek out the picture book as well—artist Melissa Sweet’s fantastic neon collage illustrations burst off the page and are the perfect accompaniment to Alexander’s warm words and narration. J.M.D. 2020 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
The New York Times Book Review - Maria Russo
Alexander's lush poem captures and pays tribute to the sensual pleasures of reading…Sweet's colorful multilayered collages and artful lettering do justice to the message, inviting readers of all ages to linger in these lovely pages.
From the Publisher
★ “[An] engaging and mesmerizing ode to reading…delightful and appealing.” — ALA Booklist (starred review)
★ “A linguistic and visual feast.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★ “A beautiful book not to be rushed through, but to be enjoyed morsel by tasty morsel.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“[This] love poem to literacy conjures up startling, luscious images...By turns dreamy and ecstatic.” — Publishers Weekly
“This is a party for a select (but hopefully large) list of like-minded young literati, who know how to ‘squeeze every morsel of each plump line until the last drop of magic drips from the infinite sky’ and revel in their fandom.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
★ “Readers who will want to head right back to the beginning and soak in this lovingly rendered testimonial more than once…Sweet’s distinctive hand-lettered text, which itself becomes another part of the artwork, is a perfect complement to Alexander’s prose.” — BookPage (starred review)
ALA Booklist (starred review)
★ “[An] engaging and mesmerizing ode to reading…delightful and appealing.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
This is a party for a select (but hopefully large) list of like-minded young literati, who know how to ‘squeeze every morsel of each plump line until the last drop of magic drips from the infinite sky’ and revel in their fandom.
BookPage (starred review)
★ “Readers who will want to head right back to the beginning and soak in this lovingly rendered testimonial more than once…Sweet’s distinctive hand-lettered text, which itself becomes another part of the artwork, is a perfect complement to Alexander’s prose.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
This is a party for a select (but hopefully large) list of like-minded young literati, who know how to ‘squeeze every morsel of each plump line until the last drop of magic drips from the infinite sky’ and revel in their fandom.
JUNE 2019 - AudioFile
Spritely music introduces poet Kwame Alexander’s ode to the joys of reading for the youngest listeners. In a friendly and enthusiastic voice, Alexander compares opening a book to peeling a clementine: “Next, dig your thumb at the bottom of each juicy section and pop the words out.” The short poem rewards repeat listening to tease out all of the meaning and imagery, and bibliophile adults will appreciate it as much as their children do. Alexander also reads his author’s note at the end, explaining the origins of his poem. Be sure to seek out the picture book as well—artist Melissa Sweet’s fantastic neon collage illustrations burst off the page and are the perfect accompaniment to Alexander’s warm words and narration. J.M.D. 2020 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine
