About this item
Highlights
- A father and daughter's afternoon of cleaning becomes a celebration of the music, food, and culture of New Orleans.It's a quiet Sunday afternoon of chores at Clara's house.
- 5-10 Years
- 10.13" x 10.25" Hardcover
- 40 Pages
- Juvenile Fiction, Family
Description
About the Book
A father and daughter's afternoon of cleaning becomes a celebration of the music, food, and culture of New Orleans.Book Synopsis
A father and daughter's afternoon of cleaning becomes a celebration of the music, food, and culture of New Orleans.
It's a quiet Sunday afternoon of chores at Clara's house. Until Clara's dad starts singing and dancing, that is! With a broom and an off-key voice, Dad brings Louisiana jazz to the drudgery of housecleaning. Together, they find music in every household object as they sing and dance through a combination of jazz, blues, soul, and African beats. The entire house transforms into a New Orleans parade, in a day filled with harmony, soul food, family heritage, and joyful memories.
Soulful Struttin' is a joyful story about a father-daughter relationship full of humor and love. Inspired by her childhood with her Black father from New Orleans and Brazilian mother, author Julia Pierre Hammond has written a story that appeals to all the senses, using music, food, vivid visuals, rhythm, noises, dancing, and language. Additional material at the back of the book includes a cleanup playlist, a gumbo recipe, a game, and questions to help readers think about the story and themselves.
Review Quotes
"A wholesome picture book about family bonding."-- "Foreword Reviews"
"Soulful Struttin's blending of playful prose and vibrant visuals whisks me back to when I was a child and my family spent Sundays cleaning while Calypso music filled every corner of our house. This book is great for anyone trying to teach their loved ones that chores don't have to be . . . well, a chore. With the right soundtrack and mindset, any tedious task can be fun. 'Dad's Rhythm and Blues Cleanup Mix' is a great added touch, and I plan on adding it to my listening library from here on out!"--Daniel J. O'Brien, illustrator of Juneteenth Is and Glenn Burke, Game Changer: The Man Who Invented the High Five
About the Author
Julia Pierre Hammond can't remember a time when she wasn't writing. She loves to write stories that include her Black and Brazilian heritage and to create books where children feel worthy and seen. Before becoming a full-time children's book writer, she danced ballet through college and taught grades 3-12. Julia lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband, two kids, and dog.
Ana Latese, an African American illustrator, has a passion for producing beautiful imagery inspired by vibrant colors, magical elements, and joy. She enjoys using different lighting situations to help enhance her storytelling and give a warm feeling to her illustrations. Ana has worked with clients such as the Washington Post, Penguin Random House, Hulu, and Scholastic. When she's not illustrating, she loves to play video games, drink a nice cup of tea at a cafe, or binge watch Criminal Minds. As a black artist, most of the pieces that she draws is her attempt to promote a world where black and brown children are seen, heard, valued, and validated. Quoted from one of her favorite artists, Faith Ringgold, "You can't sit around and wait for somebody to say who you are. You need to write it and paint it and do it."