Book Giveaway: A VOICE LIKE YOURS by Frank Murphy

Frank Murphy has co-authored a new picture book, A VOICE LIKE YOURS, with April Gorman, illustrated by Kayla Harren, and published by Sleeping Bear Press on March 15th. Sleeping Bear Press has agreed to send a copy to one lucky winner in the US.

All you have to do to get in the running is leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know other things you do to share the good news, so I can put the right amount of tickets in my basket for you. Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, or reblogging really helps spread the word about a new book. So, thanks for helping Frank, Alice, and Kayla.

If you have signed up to follow my blog and it is delivered to you every day, please let me know when you leave a comment and I will give you an extra ticket. Thanks!

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Each of us has a unique and powerful voice, whether we speak loudly or softly, sing or sign, or without any words at all. What matters is how we use that voice–because voices are meant to be used. Some of us use it to express ourselves through art. And some use their voices to vote and make big changes. Others use their voice to inspire or lift up others, helping other voices to be heard. Your voice is yours alone–and the world needs a voice like yours.

APRIL’S BOOK JOURNEY:

A Voice Like Yours is the 7th book in Frank Murphy’s Like You series. I have been lucky to be friends with Frank for about 10 years and his books have been a part of my daughter’s nighttime routine since she was born. Our story of how our book came about is quite funny. I was running to his house to pick up a few books for my classroom, while I quickly ran inside and kept the car running, I said to him I have a great idea for your next book, kind of joking. He laughed and told me he gets ideas all the time (laughing), but to tell him. I explained to him that as a special education teacher, specifically in autistic support for nearly a decade, I had the privilege to witness the remarkable journey of countless students as they navigate the intricate landscape of self-expression.

I was moved by the way my students were able to articulate their desires, needs, and passions, with limited verbal skills. It was inspiring to me how these students tackled the obstacle of being unable to speak, but expressing themselves through sign, augmentative and alternative communication devices (AAC), art, and music. I explained how voices are shared with more than just our words but through the various ways that we describe in the book. Frank grabbed his pen and paper and immediately wrote down my idea, and said how much he loved it and how we could expand this idea for all kids.

Frank and I discuss various examples on how you can use your voice. The words and illustrations demonstrate the beauty in expressing our passions and we hope that the pictures bring conversations between the readers. Our hope is that people of all different abilities, cultures, and backgrounds, can relate to this book, and can find the way they use their voice in the world.

There are some pretty cool hidden gems in the illustrations. The page “…Voices might need help,” was actually inspired through a picture I took in my own classroom, the feelings poster in the back, showing such attention to detail. Another fun surprise on the first page, in the museum, Kayla was able to squeeze my daughter in the bottom corner, with her little head cocked to the side (which she does in every picture). It honestly melted my heart to see my daughter right there on the first page! Kayla also includes an adorable love letter from her husband Peter, when talking about writing a love letter, which I think is just the cutest!

We hope that all kids will see themselves represented in A Voice Like Yours. And that every reader will be inspired and empowered to discover the power of their voice- regardless of ability. We hope that it provides parents, teachers, librarians, and all grown-ups with a tool to open conversations about the different abilities kids possess. There are many children (and adults) who have disabilities that can affect their abilities to communicate. By introducing some of these life experiences, we hope that more people will develop their patience, appreciation and acceptance of people who may use their voices in uncommon ways. Voices are powerful, and voices are meant to be used. And the world does need a voice like yours!

FRANK’S BIO:

FRANK MURPHY is a teacher who writes and a writer who teaches. He has taught a wide variety of grades at the elementary for more than 26 years. A history buff, former basketball coach & Sixers fan, and popular speaker, Frank is the author of many fun historical fiction/biography books for young readers, including several popular Step into Reading History Readers – including the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio 2006 Best Book Award Winner Ben Franklin & the Magic Squares. Most of his children’s books are about iconic people from the past like Teddy Roosevelt, George Washington, Frederick Douglass, and Clara Barton.

A FAMILY LIKE OURS is his newest picture book. It is the sixth book he wrote in a series and Kayla Harren illustrated  for Sleeping Bear Press. As a teacher and father, Frank is committed to helping expand the definition of what it means to be a a family, this is an important and timely message.

Frank was born in California, but moved to Philadelphia, PA when he was 8 years old. He’s been in the Philly area ever since. He currently teaches 6th grade.

He has written more than 18 children’s books and A Boy Like You is his favorite. He currently lives in Bucks County, PA. Visit his website at https://www.frankmurphybooks.com/.

ALICE’S BIO:

April Groman loves sharing her voice through her teaching in Special Education. She’s been inspired through her years of being an advocate for students who were unable to speak for themselves. She loves teaching the tools to give every student the opportunity to voice their wants and needs.

When April isn’t teaching she loves spending time with her daughter outside, going to the beach, and baking together. She is also a huge foodie and loves to cook and try new foods with her friends and family. You can follow April on instagram at aprilgromanbooks.

KAYLA’S BIO:

Kayla Harren graduated from the School of Visual Arts in NYC with a BFA in Illustration. She illustrated the picture books Juma the Giraffe and Our Elephant Neighbors for Wild Nature Institute and PAMS Foundation.  Mary Had a Little Lizard, published by Sky Pony Press, was her debut picture book as an author/illustrator. Her artwork has been featured in Communication Arts, 3×3 Magazine, and the Society of Illustrators Illustration Annuals.  She won the June 2017 Highlights for Children Pewter Plate Award for her illustration.

Kayla’s books include: Hannah’s Tall Order: An A to Z Sandwich by Linda Vander Heyden; Mary Had a Little Lizard by Kayla Harren; Who Sang the First Song? by Ellie Holcomb; Don’t Forget to Remember by Ellie Holcomb; The Boy Who Grew a Forest: The True Story of Jadav Payeng by Sophia Gholz; Fiery Night: A Boy, His Goat, and the Great Chicago Fire by Sally M. Walker; My Blue-Ribbon Horse: The True Story of the Eighty-Dollar Champion by Elizabeth Letts; Ruby and Lonely by Patrice Karst;Thursday by Ann Bonwill

Kayla lives in St. Paul, Minnesota. Learn more about her at www.kaylaharren.com. Kayla was recently featured on Illustrator Saturday.

 

Frank and April, thank you for sharing your book and journey with us. I enjoyed reading Aprils journey and hope she continues down this writing road.

I love this whole book series and am happy to see that you keep finding new ideas to keep it going. Kayla has once again created such wonderful illustrations to help tell this story. Even the end pages give the young reader wonderful things and little details children will love and keep them turning the pages turning every page. I love how through your text and illustrations, you cause the reader to think about how people use their voices to express themselves. We use our voices to teach, vote, and make changes. Be loud and bold and turn around and whisper and to sooth others. With your voice, you can share your thoughts, hopes, and dreams. This book is a celebration of our voices and their diversity. I never thought about it, but I just learned that there are more than 7,000 languages spoken around the world. The page with the children using sign language made me smile. I sighed at the beauty of the three children holding hands giving their strength to their shy friend.

And what a good lesson for all of us to remember is to know when to not use our voices and listen.

One day you may be angry—speak up.
One day you’ll make a mistake—quiet your voice and listen.
Sometimes people’s words bump into each other—
that can happen in an argument
or when people forget to be polite.

Parents and teachers will love how the book talks about how you can let your voice write or paint. Who knows perhaps this book will plant the seed and inspire a future author or artist. This book is loaded with seeds for young minds. Everyone will love this book. Best of luck with it.

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy