by Valerie June and illustrated by Marcela Avelar
Third Man Books 2022
/"Somebody to Love/" performed and written by Valerie June
For more information about the book: https://www.thirdmanbooks.com/catalog/somebodytolove
“Even the smallest voice deserves to be heard. Somebody to Love encourages us to believe in ourselves and the remarkable power of our dreams.
–Amanda Lucidon
Somebody to Love by Grammy-nominated musician Valerie June: The Sweet Little Baby Banjolele Story by Valerie June is a hardcover children's book based on June's song / "Somebody to Love/" from her record / " Pushin Against a Stone./" In the story, a little girl, Valerie, receives a toy banjolele. A banjolele is a very unique four-stringed musical instrument. Its body resembles that of a small banjo and its neck resembles that of a ukulele. The little banjolele dreams of his voice soaring and being heard all over the world, but very quickly his musical journey encounters challenges and doubts. The little banjolele just couldn't play a whole song! Valérie and the banjolele try to play with the other school instruments, but the others make fun of the banjolele by saying "You're just a toy/". But “I have a dream and I want to sing,” the toy banjole stubbornly refuses to give up. Finally, with Valérie's care and companionship, the toy finds the courage, conviction and love it needs, coughs up one last bit of dust and sings a beautiful song: /"Somebody to Love/".
Valerie June, the Grammy-nominated musician, says of her banjolele: “As I traveled the world telling the story of my banjolele, I always knew it would make an uplifting children's book. It wasn't until I received a call from the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities that I was encouraged to sit down and write it. One of the nation's most historic dreamers is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. As a Black artist, his message taught me the power of dreams from a young age. He was a light for me. Every time I share this story with students, I watch their eyes light up with wonder. It has been exciting to witness the awakening of this same light within them. Believing that you can achieve your dream is one way to be an inspiration to your community, as a great Nigerian proverb teaches us: “Thoughts and dreams are the foundation of our being. »/"
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