My Block Looks Like, Janelle Harper
My Block Looks Like, Janelle Harper
List: $5.00 | Sale: $3.50
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My Block Looks Like

Author: Janelle Harper

Narrator: Jasminne Mendez

Unabridged: 5 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/12/2024

Synopsis

A love letter to the hustle, the bustle, the joy, and the grit of city life by debut author and Bronx native, Janelle Harper.

"My block looks like
a collision of cultures
a melting pot of cool
a burst of life
my favorite groove

. . .No matter what happens
I’ve seen it for myself
my block looks like
the coolest place
I’ve ever been."

A lyrical and proud picture book, adapted for audio, that recognizes the beauty of the bodegas, subways, and playgrounds that characterize everyday life in the Bronx and pays homage to the ways that its residents have shaped pop culture through music, visual art, and dance. Perfect for fans of I Am Every Good Thing and Last Stop on Market Street, My Block Looks Like offers kids a reaffirming message to celebrate and uplift their communities in an energetic text that begs to be read aloud.

About The Author

Janelle Harper is a Bronx native whoproudly carries her New York accent anywhereshe goes. She finds inspiration in city living and the diverse experiences of the African Diaspora.When she is not enjoying the hidden gems of the Bronx, she is traveling and exploring new cultures. She is a proud veteran public school teacher who comes from a long line ofeducators. She is passionate about creating stories that reflect the children in her Bronx classroom and neighborhood. When she’s not thinking about her next book, Janelle can often be found in her dance studio, blasting music, yelling “five-six-seven-eight,” and preparing elaborate student productions. Visit her online at JanelleHarperAuthor.com.

Reviews

Goodreads review by DaNae on April 20, 2024

I miss picture books that tell stories. However, Morrison’s illustrations are spectacular.......more

Goodreads review by Steena on February 28, 2024

Take an energetic stroll through the Bronx, NY, as a lively girl strides through the streets of her neighborhood. Poetic words flow with the colorful illustrations that burst with pride and joy. Readers will get a sense of all of the unique things that make this boisterous borough a special place in......more

Goodreads review by Betsy on September 26, 2024

5* for art 4 for text: text is great, but it doesn't tell a story..........more

Goodreads review by Rachel on March 07, 2024

My Block Looks Like is a journey through one girl’s afternoon as she walks her neighborhood. The staccato verse describing her block - the streetlights, the subway, the playground - sounds so much like a heartbeat, like spoken word, all highlighted with Morrison’s fluid artwork. Every picture feels......more

Goodreads review by Megan on January 15, 2024

Yes, this is a joyously gorgeous celebration of the Bronx, but it's also so much more than that. With vibrant illustrations and poetic prose that feels both nostalgic and in the moment, this book is about pride of place and home. It's about appreciating the details and noticing the small things that......more

Quotes

Praise for My Block Looks Like by Janelle Harper and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner, Frank Morrison:

*"[V]ibrant . . . Morrison’s illustrations provide rich sensory detail and energy to support the narrator’s observations . . . At the same time, words and images work collectively to challenge readers to slow down and pay attention to the wonders of city life that are easy to misunderstand or dismiss . . . Harper’s block (she hails from the Bronx) is alive, aptly called "my soul," and supported by Morrison’s images and warm colors, a refreshing invitation to visit or imagine this vivid, memorable place." --Horn Book, starred review

*"The artist’s careful attention to detail and the shifting visual perspectives in action scenes bring Harper’s musical text to life. The narrator argues convincingly for the Bronx as 'the coolest place I’ve ever been,' where 'dreams rise higher than the smog' and neighbors 'sparkle under streetlamps.' A culturally rich and beautifully illustrated child’s-eye view of home." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*"Kinetic, portrait-filled art from Morrison (Breaking to the Beat!) reveals theneighborhood’s sights (double Dutch, the Icee man, pickup games), vibrantly conveying the essence ofthe protagonist’s home: “my city/ my hood/ my block. My home/ my village/ my family/ my friends/ my soul." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Dynamic details and an expansive sense of possibility . . . A caring depiction of urban life that will resonate with listeners who love the bustling energy and beauty of the place they call home." --BCCB Reviews

"Morrison paints vibrant spreads . . . The poetic text reads like a song and makes for a perfect read-aloud story . . . A positive and uplifting book that can be appreciated by all readers." --School Library Journal

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