Saturday, October 7, 2023

LULLABY FOR THE KING by Nikki Grimes: A Picture Book Review and ARC Giveaway

The calendar tells me it's October, but before you know it, December will be here and it'll be time for the holidays. I'm getting ahead of the game with today's book review. Many of you are familiar with the multi-talented award-winning children's author Nikki Grimes. I've featured her books in verse for middle-grade students and young adults many times: Ordinary Hazards, Garvey's Choice, and Between the Lines to name three of them.

LULLABY FOR THE KING  (Beaming Books: 2023) is textually and visually very different from the previous books I've read by Nikki. It's certainly not her first picture book though! Click on this link and you'll see the great variety of books that Nikki has published.  


REVIEW

Each stanza of this fanciful depiction of the animals who come to honor the birth of Jesus Christ is accompanied by vibrant illustrations by Michelle Carlos.

The lyrical story opens with a beautiful sunrise celebration:

One magnificent morning in Israel,

when the sun warmed the Great Salt Sea,

word spread to every living creature:

The Holy One has, at last, been born.

A season of celebration can begin!

On the next few pages, we follow a "caravan of creatures" wending their way to Bethlehem--each with their own unique gift for the newborn King.

In an allusion to the wise men bringing gifts, an Antelope has an alabaster flask filled with myrrh, a Hawk has an incense stand of purest gold, and a Jackal carries frankincense along with a linen sash. But the similarity to the Biblical gifts ends there. Fanciful creatures--not people--fill these pages: a camel draped in crimson carting a cedar chest, a Hippo "lumbered heavily" carrying jugs of oil strapped to his girth, and a Stork "carefully cradled a bundle of wildflowers, scenting the air as she flew." Notice all of the wonderful alliterations!


As they turn pages together, both young and old readers will enjoy the variety of animals and the gifts they bring. Imagine in your mind the pictures that these words convey:

Sparrow--as always, silent and shy--

skimmed the wind, a silk sash round her wee throat,

holding grains of mustard and saffron--

all a small bird could hope to tote.

 

Tortoise, awhile, the Royal Prince of Slow,

trudged up from Tiberias

with a tambourine in tow.

At last, after traveling through the wilderness for "hours that spun into days" the colorful caravan arrives in Bethlehem. 


The first gift presented was Nightingale's hum,

which swelled into a glorious, sky-piercing chord

that reverberated through the stable

and startled the sleeping Lord.

As the animals bow before the Babe, the angels join them with a new lullaby:

Rest, sweet child from on high,

apple of your Father's eye.

We humbly honor you, O King.

Please bless each gift we bring you.

The brilliant watercolor illustrations will invite readers to explore every page. But remember: Nikki Grimes' words came first. She carefully constructed each image-filled phrase. 

GIVEAWAY

If you're interested in winning my ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) please leave me a comment by October 11. If you sign up to follow my blog or share this on social media, I'll put your name in twice. Make sure you leave your email address if you are new to my blog or send me an email. U.S. address only. 

Congratulations to Greg Pattridge who won Brook White's book, Cookie Cat and the Tagalongs. Greg plans to share the book with his students.

17 comments:

Becky Scharnhorst said...

This looks beautiful! Thank you for sharing it!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Becky. Your name starts the list.

Kim A. Larson said...

This looks like a beautiful book!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thank you, Kim, for commenting. Your name goes in the hat. It is a special book.

Patricia Franz said...

What a beautiful book! Would love to win this! But likely will purchase it anyway!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thank you, Patricia! Either way, the book won't disappoint you.

Danielle H. said...

I can't wait to read this gorgeous book! I love the Christmas season and it's books like this one that keep Jesus' birth as the focus and reason for the season. I shared on tumblr and would love to review this book.

Terri DeGezelle Michels said...

What a beautiful book text and illustrations! thank you for sharing.

Carol Baldwin said...

Thank you Terri and Danielle. Danielle--you go in twice!

Linda Trott Dickman said...

Nikki Grimes poetry is prayer. She takes words and shapes them like pottery, turning them with great care, love in her hands. And this is a subject that is close to her heart. I would be privileged to win this book, AND buy a copy for a friend.

Cathy Stefanec Ogren said...

This is such a beautiful book! What a great gift!

Carol Baldwin said...

yes, it would, Cathy!

Lori Keating said...

This looks stunning! Christmas PBs are my favorite ❤️

Carol Baldwin said...

Thanks, Lori. Your name is on the giveaway list.

Kathy and Greg said...

As a writer of children’s books and poetry, a pastor, and one who loves reading and sharing creative new ways of retelling the Christmas story, I am captivated by this beautiful book. The words and illustrations are magnificent and weave together perfectly! I would love to own and share this book with others. Thank you for sharing, Carol!

Carol Baldwin said...

Thank you, Kathy. You're in the giveaway!

Carol Baldwin said...

Kathy--Can you leave your last name and email address so I'm sure to have it?

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