Rock What Ya Got

by Samantha Berger, Kerascoët (Artist)

Overview

A child reminds everyone to embrace their own special something in this joyful expression of self-love.

When a drawing of a little girl comes to life, she boldly declares that she doesn't want to be erased, or put into a picture that doesn't feel like her true self. Instead, she decides to speak up in a powerful way. And she has some words of advice: embrace what you have, love yourself, and "rock what ya got."

In this affirmation of self-identity and girl power, a child's memorable mantra offers a timeless lesson, reminding readers of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities that it's okay to be yourself. Bold illustrations from Kerascoët (Malala's Magic Pencil) bring the engaging story to life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316561501
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	09/25/2018
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Samantha Berger has written picture books including What If..., Crankenstein and A Crankenstein Valentine, Witch Spa, Snoozefest, Santa's Reindeer Games, and Martha Doesn't Say Sorry, which won a Parent's Choice Award Honor. When she isn't writing, she's doing voice-overs, traveling the world, and helping rescue dogs. Samantha splits her time between New York City and California.

Editorial Reviews

"Affirming, inspiring... Charming... A supportive, upbeat read and engaging approach to the topic of appreciating and celebrating who you are at every age, for children and their adults to share."—Booklist

"Berger's prose is a joyous celebration of self-love and empowerment... Kerascoët captures this same exuberance and breathes life into every inch of the page... Energetic."
—Kirkus

"Upbeat... a terrific message about finding the best parts of ourselves without judgment."—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

09/01/2018
PreS-Gr 2—An artist puts pen to a blank page, and creates a little girl named Viva. Feeling that something is not quite right with her creation, she attempts to erase the drawing. But Viva has come to life, and has a thing or two to say, because she likes herself just the way she is. The artist tries to reimagine the girl with different hair and body types, and even wonders if changing the story's background will help. But all along, Viva is there with her cheery mantras insisting that we all carve out a spot in this world and be who we are. In the end, Viva points to a book the author had written many years earlier when she was Viva's age, only to reveal that the artist was more or less drawing Viva in her own young image. This is an upbeat story with a charming character whose declarations are infectious. The vivacious watercolor illustrations are a subtle mix of the author's real world combined with Viva's more childlike fictional one. VERDICT A book with a terrific message about finding the best parts of ourselves without judgment, and reminding all readers to "rock what ya got!" An excellent addition to picture book shelves.—Jessica Marie, Salem Public Library, OR

School Library Journal

2018-06-24
An artist's sketch of a little girl comes alive with a message of self-love in Berger and Kerascoët's debut collaboration."Once upon a black piece of paper, where anything could happen… / an artist picked up a pencil and started to draw." And where pencil meets paper, little Viva comes to be. But something about Viva isn't right, or so her artist thinks, and down comes the eraser until Viva jumps right off the page in protest. "Excuse me, lady artist, ma'am, / but I like me the way I am," she insists, and as her artist tries changing Viva's hair, her body, and her background (all to no avail), Viva responds with variations on a refrain: "Find what is yours and carve out your spot… / take it and love it and rock it a lot!" Berger's prose is a joyous celebration of self-love and empowerment, as Viva not only challenges her artist's perfectionism to reframe supposed flaws, but also reminds her that "rock what ya got" was once the artist's own powerful mantra. Kerascoët captures this same exuberance and breathes life into every inch of the page, juxtaposing the realistic world of the artist with Viva's two-dimensional vibrancy. Nostalgia features heavily here but doesn't weigh down the otherwise energetic narrative. Viva's look is informed by the artist's self-image, and both are illustrated as racially ambiguous, with beige skin and vigorously curly dark hair.A book for new and seasoned artists alike. (Picture book. 3-7)

Kirkus Reviews