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I Gotta Sing!

Author Alice Faye Duncan

Illustrated by Paul Kellam

Hardcover (Paper-over-Board, no jacket)

$14.99 US

PRH Christian Publishing | WaterBrook

11.27"W x 8.78"H x 0.33"D | 13 oz | 24 per carton

On sale Jul 09, 2024 | 40 Pages | 9780593578261

Age 3-7 years | Preschool - 2

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Children's > Diversity > Black/African American
Children's > Fiction
Children's > Themes > Animals
Children's > Themes > Farm

Sing along with Big Baby Jenkins, Pop Charlie, Great Nana, and a crew of farm animals as they shout for joy to this rendition of an African American spiritual!

“A whole barnyard makes noise ‘in the spirit of joy’ throughout this raucous picture book, a sweetly heartwarming sing-along.”—Publishers Weekly

From the author and illustrator team that brought you This Train Is Bound for Glory comes another riveting interpretation of a beloved African American spiritual, "I'm Goin' a Sing When the Spirit Says Sing," featuring farm animals. With illustrations that pop off the page, rhythmic text, and onomatopoeia for the youngest reader, I Gotta Sing! delivers a lively story that will quickly become a family favorite.

Hezekiah Big Baby Jenkins runs from the breakfast table to the farmyard begging Pop Charlie to sing. As he plucks his diddley bow, Pop Charlie smiles and invites the animals and Big Baby to join in the music.

I gotta sing when the Spirit says sing.
I gotta sing when the Spirit says sing.
I gotta sing when the Spirit says sing.
and shout in the Spirit of joy!

Before long, the rowdy crew are singing, mooing, oinking, and clapping along to the toe-tapping tune. But when Great Nana calls that it’s bath time because “warm water and bubbles won’t last all day,” will the party end? Or will Pop Charlie snap snap snap the tempo back to life?

The lyrics of "I’m Goin’ a Sing When the Spirit Says Sing” have evolved across the ages. At the end of the book readers will find an invitation to write a version of the song for a new generation.

“A whole barnyard makes noise ‘in the Spirit of joy’ throughout this raucous picture book, a sweetly heartwarming sing-along by Duncan. Kellam conveys comfort and happiness as the loved ones reflect sunny enthusiasm in this gladdening rendition of the Black American religious folk song ‘I’m Goin’a Sing When the Spirit Says Sing.’”—Publishers Weekly

Alice Faye Duncan writes for the love of music and the inspiring magic of words. Some of her picture books include Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free, Evicted!, and Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop, which received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor. Alice lives in Memphis, Tennessee. View titles by Alice Faye Duncan

Paul Kellam is a freelance watercolor illustrator based in Florida. His art brings vitality and color to books such as Antonello Mellow Fellow. He earned his bachelor’s in media arts and animation from The Art Institute. Paul enjoys spending quality time with his younger sisters and close friends. View titles by Paul Kellam

Big Baby keeps a morning schedule. Every day is the same
ticktock. After grits, gravy, and peach toast, he runs to find
Pop Charlie in the barnyard while Great Nana fills the bath.

“I see my baby!” Pop Charlie cheers. “What can I do for you?”
“Sing!” Big Baby shouts. Pop Charlie grins from ear to ear as
he plucks his diddley bow. He lifts his chin and crows. . .

I gotta SING when the Spirit says SING.
I gotta SING when the Spirit says SING.
I gotta SING when the Spirit says SING,
and shout in the spirity of joy!