07/12/2021
Esperanza establishes a groovy rhythm in this celebration of art and music, set in the Bronx. Snappy rhymes flow with repetition, introducing two children who notice the beauty of public art—dance, graffiti, and music—when no one else does. In a speculative turn, “BOOM, ALAKAZOOM!/ The art BOOGIED off the wall!” commanding the notice of the neighborhood, including the two children—who know just what to do to meld art and community. Esperanza infuses recognizable cultural sights and sounds—at a “Boogie Down Block Party,” replete with a DJ, “ ‘COCO, MANGO, CHERRY!’/ yelled the man with icy treats,/ while the break crew BOOGIED/ to a BombaYo beat!” Almost tangibly layered oils, acrylics, and digital art feature near-realistic stylizations of Black and brown individuals; adult readers will appreciate nods to Keith Haring and Basquiat, while readers of all ages will enjoy the richly detailed cityscapes. A lovingly rendered, upbeat recognition of contemporary art forms, and a salient reminder to revel in art, culture, and community. Ages 4–8. (Aug.)
"Neon colored pictures explode off the pages with dramatic perspectives... Edge-to-edge rich with the details of city life. Purchase anywhere—everywhere!—an appreciative take on the vibe and culture of urban life is needed." — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Joyful, vibrant scenes. This ode to graffiti art offers a fresh take on its role in the beautification of the urban landscape.” — Booklist
"How refreshing to read a picture book that centers the experience of the many children growing up in diverse cityscapes and acknowledges the unique beauty of cities and the many forms urban art can take. A book boogie." — Kirkus Reviews
"Esperanza establishes a groovy rhythm in this celebration of art and music, set in the Bronx. Adult readers will appreciate nods to Keith Haring and Basquiat, while readers of all ages will enjoy the richly detailed cityscapes. A lovingly rendered, upbeat recognition of contemporary art forms, and a salient reminder to revel in art, culture, and community." — Publishers Weekly
“C.G. Esperanza’s joyous picture book, the graffiti, sounds and scenes of the Bronx are a feast for the eyes and ears. Combined with a rhythm and beat perfect for reading out loud, Boogie, Boogie, Y’all is a party on every page and everyone is invited.” — NPR Books
“After one listen, the print book will never feel the same, but one listen is surely just the beginning for this standout, immersive, wholly original audio celebration of art, creativity, and imagination.” — Booklist (starred review)
C.G. Esperanza’s joyous picture book, the graffiti, sounds and scenes of the Bronx are a feast for the eyes and ears. Combined with a rhythm and beat perfect for reading out loud, Boogie, Boogie, Y’all is a party on every page and everyone is invited.”
Joyful, vibrant scenes. This ode to graffiti art offers a fresh take on its role in the beautification of the urban landscape.
After one listen, the print book will never feel the same, but one listen is surely just the beginning for this standout, immersive, wholly original audio celebration of art, creativity, and imagination.
Booklist (starred review)
Joyful, vibrant scenes. This ode to graffiti art offers a fresh take on its role in the beautification of the urban landscape.
★ 09/01/2021
K-Gr 2— Art is everywhere in the city: sprayed on walls, on trains, and in the park, but everybody is too busy to appreciate it. Two Black kids and a dog do their best to call attention to how "mad fun" the art makes the neighborhood. When the kids add their own spray art, the block finally begins to boogie and to merge with the art themselves. Neon colored pictures, created with oils, acrylic, and Photoshop, explode off the pages with dramatic perspectives. They are edge-to-edge rich with the details of city life, from a mariachi band on the subway to skateboarders, food trucks, breakdancers, a block party, and graffiti galore. People have photo-realistic faces, their bodies traced with a thick, black line that helps set them apart from the urban landscape. The exuberance is mirrored in a rhyming text that mostly bops along and is chock-full of exclamations and onomatopoeia. It will be up to readers to interpret what is happening on the closing spreads where the children appear to be painting on glass, and art comes off the wall to envelop the people. VERDICT Purchase anywhere—everywhere!—an appreciative take on the vibe and culture of urban life is needed.—Jan Aldrich Solow, formerly Fairfax County P. S., VA
Music and the hip-hop beat of the text come together to create an auditory treat for all ages. This combination joyful ode to graffiti and celebration of art is pure delight. Author Esperanza's pacing of his narration feels like spoken-word poetry. Added to the production are the voices of excited children expressing their joy and wonder at the art that surrounds them. As the story unfolds, listeners are encouraged to take time to stop and enjoy the art they encounter and the beauty that art brings to our lives. The music is full of toe-tapping beats, and as more layers are added, leading to a fully musical interlude, the infectious blend is sure to bring a smile to listeners, along with feelings of empowerment to create music and art of their own. S.B.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2022 Audies Finalist, 2022 Odyssey Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
FEBRUARY 2022 - AudioFile
Music and the hip-hop beat of the text come together to create an auditory treat for all ages. This combination joyful ode to graffiti and celebration of art is pure delight. Author Esperanza's pacing of his narration feels like spoken-word poetry. Added to the production are the voices of excited children expressing their joy and wonder at the art that surrounds them. As the story unfolds, listeners are encouraged to take time to stop and enjoy the art they encounter and the beauty that art brings to our lives. The music is full of toe-tapping beats, and as more layers are added, leading to a fully musical interlude, the infectious blend is sure to bring a smile to listeners, along with feelings of empowerment to create music and art of their own. S.B.T. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2022 Audies Finalist, 2022 Odyssey Award © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
FEBRUARY 2022 - AudioFile
2021-06-02
“BOOGIE BOOGIE, Y’ALL. / The city BOOGIED all day / Busy, busy, busy, / till one kid stopped to say... // ‘WOAH, WOAH, WOAH! / Look at the ART on the WALL!’ ” Much of the charm of this tale lies in the rhythm of the text, showcased in these opening lines that repeat, with variations, throughout the book. Esperanza’s bright and colorful graffiti-style illustrations capture the excitement of a child enraptured by the street art on the side of a building. It’s a child of color with an infectious, gap-toothed grin. Though the refrain shifts, the focus remains on the children (and one dog!), who have a different perspective than the adults around them, appreciating the art (visual, musical, and dance) that is seemingly mundane to others. Some of the transitions between spreads aren’t entirely clear, which may cause some readers to backtrack to follow the thread. Similarly, an unexpected and unexplained moment of fantasy near the end adds excitement but may trip up some readers. These foibles don’t spoil the whole, however, as it’s all about the joy. How refreshing to read a picture book that centers the experience of the many children growing up in diverse cityscapes and acknowledges the unique beauty of cities and the many forms urban art can take. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
A book boogie. (Picture book. 4-8)
