The illustrations by Loren Long are just beautiful, and, as I've come to love about children's picture books, give another layer of non-verbal storytelling, which is equally as profound as Amanda Gorman's, adding to the ways in which this is the most hopeful book I have read it quite a long time.

In this stirring, much-anticipated picture book by presidential inaugural poet and activist Amanda Gorman, anything is possible when our voices join together. As a young girl leads a cast of characters on a musical journey, they learn that they have the power to make changes – big or small – in the world, in their communities, and in most importantly, in themselves. How could I forget to review this? Well, there are lots of reasons, but none of them are because I didn't like the book. No, I loved it. I had barely started reading, right there in the store and got choked up. It's that beautiful. It could be a modern-day sketch in my beloved Free to Be...You and Me, which I read/listened to countless times. A young girl can hear change coming. It’s loud, it’s proud, and she’s excited to sing along. Guitar in tow, she heads off on a journey. In each new place she visits, she inspires other children to use their voice (and instruments) to help others. They learn that they have the power to make changes–big or small–in the world, in their communities, and most importantly, in themselves. Written by Amanda Gorman and vividly illustrated by Loren Long, CHANGE SINGS: A CHILDREN’S ANTHEM is really an anthem for us all. Gorman is a poetess of our age and one that America sorely needs.A lyrical picture book debut from No.1 New York Times bestselling author and presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and No.1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long I've read it 3 times since that time in the store and every time have choked up or teared up in a different spot.

This is an artistic book all about uplifting young minds. It encourages children to persevere, to work together, and to respect one another. Written in lyrical prose by Presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman, Change Sings is a great way to introduce little readers to the poetry of words. The words flow beautifully and can even be sung out loud for full impact. Instead of building walls, bridges are built. Instead of division, Gorman and Long use words and beautiful images to remind people that together, we are truly a united country. I particularly liked how Long included a diversity of people in this PB, including Jewish Americans, European Americans, disabled Americans, and etc. Amanda Gorman is an incredible poet and just announced that she'll be publishing a book! I can't wait to read it! With lyrical text and rhythmic illustrations that build to a dazzling crescendo by No.1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Loren Long, Change Sings is a triumphant call to action for everyone to use their abilities to make a difference.

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Honestly, I've become an even bigger fan of Gorman's work over the past few months and SEPTEMBER CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH! I'm also super excited that Gorman has been selected to be the official inaugural poet for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris 😍. If this book wasn't on your radar before, it definitely will be after inauguration day. Poetry is best read aloud, especially if the work is written by Amanda Gorman. Seeing as this is a picture book though, I decided to listen to the audiobook while reading along (which I highly recommend doing)! And it gives me hope that the generation previous to mine, and my own, will soon be superseded and the young people of today will make this a better world.