Review of Free to Sing
Posted: 29 Aug 2023, 11:02
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Free to Sing" by Sheryl Evans Davis.]
Free to Sing hits all the right notes for a book that young children are sure to enjoy. As a former kindergarten teacher, Sheryl Evans Davis knows what it takes to capture and hold the attention of a young audience: an adorable narrator, a cute story, and bright colors on every page.
The story is about a young girl who loves to sing and how she learns not to be intimidated by what others say about her ability. Even though the narrator is a Black girl, the message of doing your own thing applies to all genders and races. The unnamed protagonist also discusses reasons why people should sing.
Besides the message and the colorful illustrations, one of my favorite parts is the inclusion of the first lines of some popular children's songs. Showing the girl in a raincoat and boots, the text on one page reads, "I can sing in the rain." Floating, white, musical notes are shown around the girl's head surrounding the words, "Rain rain go away.'' Children will love finishing all the songs on the four pages where these different song lyrics appear.
Another positive is that the book introduces two historical women of color: Josephine Baker, a singer from the Harlem Renaissance era, and Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist. These women serve as inspirational role models for young girls and are pictured in black and white as dream bubbles. The Freedom Fighters are also shown singing on a bus. These pages help carry out the theme of equity.
There are no negatives in this book and no grammar errors. From the sweet dedication page at the beginning of the book to the author's profile at the end, it is flawless and fascinating. There is no mention of an illustrator, so I assume that these vibrant drawings are also the work of the talented Sheryl Evans Davis. This book is sure to become one of those bedtime storybooks that always gets included in the “Please read it again stack.”
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Free to Sing
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Free to Sing hits all the right notes for a book that young children are sure to enjoy. As a former kindergarten teacher, Sheryl Evans Davis knows what it takes to capture and hold the attention of a young audience: an adorable narrator, a cute story, and bright colors on every page.
The story is about a young girl who loves to sing and how she learns not to be intimidated by what others say about her ability. Even though the narrator is a Black girl, the message of doing your own thing applies to all genders and races. The unnamed protagonist also discusses reasons why people should sing.
Besides the message and the colorful illustrations, one of my favorite parts is the inclusion of the first lines of some popular children's songs. Showing the girl in a raincoat and boots, the text on one page reads, "I can sing in the rain." Floating, white, musical notes are shown around the girl's head surrounding the words, "Rain rain go away.'' Children will love finishing all the songs on the four pages where these different song lyrics appear.
Another positive is that the book introduces two historical women of color: Josephine Baker, a singer from the Harlem Renaissance era, and Fannie Lou Hamer, a civil rights activist. These women serve as inspirational role models for young girls and are pictured in black and white as dream bubbles. The Freedom Fighters are also shown singing on a bus. These pages help carry out the theme of equity.
There are no negatives in this book and no grammar errors. From the sweet dedication page at the beginning of the book to the author's profile at the end, it is flawless and fascinating. There is no mention of an illustrator, so I assume that these vibrant drawings are also the work of the talented Sheryl Evans Davis. This book is sure to become one of those bedtime storybooks that always gets included in the “Please read it again stack.”
******
Free to Sing
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon