Sydney's Big Speech

by Malcolm Newsome, Jade Orlando (Illustrator)

Overview

A perfect picture book about perseverance, overcoming challenges, and working hard to achieve your goals!

Sydney learns to conquer her fear of public speaking at school, in this affectionate father-daughter story referencing inspiring role models who dealt with similar issues.

Sydney wants to be a great leader when she grows up. There’s just one problem—when she tries to speak in front of the class, she gets nervous, and the words just won’t come out.

Readers will cheer for Sydney as “No, I can’t” changes to “Yes, I can!”

Sydney’s journey includes practice; encouragement from her loving dad; and a dose of inspiration from such luminaries as Shirley Chisholm, Carol Moseley Braun, Condoleezza Rice, and Kamala Harris.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063141414
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/20/2024
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	71,241
Product dimensions:	10.10(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Malcolm Newsome is a children’s book author living in the Chicago area. His first book, Dear Star Baby, came out in 2023. When he’s not writing or spending time with family, you’ll probably find him either reading, spending time outside in his mini-orchard, or being a lumberjack. You can visit him at malcolmnewsome.com.

Jade Orlando was born on an army base in North Carolina and grew up in a tiny Michigan town. After an impassioned childhood spent drawing dragons and cat ladies, she traveled to SCAD Savannah to get a BFA in illustration. Jade currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, greyhound, and four cats (including two naked ones!).

Editorial Reviews

Newsome tells a sweetly empowering story, while Orlando’s illustrations, a combination of watercolor and digital media, are whimsical, charming, and inviting. Wonderful inspiration for young introverts.” — Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2023-11-18
A young girl finds her voice.

When Mr. Simmons asks the class to stand and introduce themselves on the first day of school, Sydney, a Black girl, decides to go last. As every worst-case scenario floods her mind, she opts out of introducing herself altogether. Later, Mr. Simmons asks the students to prepare speeches about what they want to be when they grow up. Sydney frets, but her father inspires his apprehensive scholar by sharing examples of outstanding Black women political leaders such as Kamala Harris, Condoleezza Rice, Carol Moseley Braun, and Shirley Chisholm. Sydney reveals that she would like to be a great leader someday and agrees that she’ll have to make speeches. Sydney’s father confides that he, too, is shy and has had to practice the art of public speaking. Sydney practices, but she still feels nervous the night before her big speech. With a little extra love from her dad—and a viewing of President Barack Obama’s “Yes We Can” speech—Sydney gets the extra push she needs to assert herself. Newsome tells a sweetly empowering story, while Orlando’s illustrations, a combination of watercolor and digital media, are whimsical, charming, and inviting; the crayon images of her heroes that Sydney tapes to her wall are an especially nice touch. Mr. Simmons is Black; the class is diverse.

Wonderful inspiration for young introverts. (biographies of the people mentioned, references) (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews