7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #722: Featuring Olivier Ganthier
December 20th, 2020 by jules
Today, let’s look at a book from a debut illustrator. I Want to Ride the Tap Tap, on shelves in late December (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), is written by Danielle Joseph and illustrated by Olivier Ganthier. Ganthier, known for his street art, was born and currently lives in Haiti, and this book captures daily life with a Black family there, Joseph even incorporating Haitian Creole words into the dialogue. I reviewed it for BookPage, and that is here — if you’re inclined to read more about it.
Below are some spreads.
Enjoy!
(Click spread to enlarge and read text in its entirety)
(Click spread to enlarge and read text in its entirety)
(Click spread to enlarge and read text in its entirety)
I WANT TO RIDE THE TAP TAP. Text copyright © 2020 by Danielle Joseph. Pictures copyright © 2020 by Olivier Ganthier and reproduced by permission of the publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, New York.
Note for any new readers: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.
1) Still enjoying this book, which I’ve been reading slowly for a while now. (And, yes, I’m all in favor of ditching “whom.”)
2) Discovering this song, while listening to year-end music lists on my favorite music podcast.
3) A socially-distanced porch visit with a friend.
4) Walks with friends.
5) Surprises in the mail and on my porch.
6) Secret Santas.
7) No work for a couple of weeks!
What are YOUR kicks this week?
1. Facetime/videos of grandson pre-crawling, chattering non-stop, playing with feet, and discovering food
2. TPAC’s offering of the Mark Cabus 1-man Christmas Carol performance
3. wrapping books for Book’Em — an easy home-bound way to provide a tiny service
4. getting quick face-to-face (masked!) views of friends while delivering Christmas treats
5. bringing 50 picture books from Jules to Book’Em (and inspecting them all first…!)
6. listening to the latest Cormoran Strike mystery in my car between delivery stops!
7. finishing up “work” for the next 2 weeks…
The vibrant colors and energy in the illustrations are just what I needed to see on a rainy grey morning.
Jules – That song and performer are awesome – thanks for the link – I’m definitely going to be giving more of her music a listen. Hooray for Secret Santas, surprises in the mail and getting to see friends.
Mary – yay for facetime visits and wrapping books and pitching in!
My kicks this week:
1) Getting letters and cards and bookmarks (thanks Jules!) in the mail.
2) Watched “Carmen and Geoffrey” this week, the documentary on dancers and artists Carmen de Lavallade and Geoffrey Holder. They were married for 59 years and both such prolific talents. (Geoffrey had widespread recognition as The Uncola man in the 7UP ads of the 70’s and 80’s.)
3) This short doc on Lindsey Donnell, a dancer with Dance Theater of Harlem: https://creators.yahoo.co.jp/anaismichel/0200087322
4) The season finale of The Mandalorian. (Fun surprise, although I know not everyone liked it.)
5) Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and the companion piece on the making of it. What a gift Chadwick Boseman was.
6) A virtual gala Friday night. Fun to put on makeup and make cocktails for myself. (French 75 was the perfect choice.)
7) Daisy back at rehab again, she was so excited to see her friends there and get to have some interactions with people other than me. (I have to wait in the car, its all socially distanced.)
7.5) Watched The Holiday and went on a deep dive afterwards of old Hollywood screenwriters, now I’m trying to do research on Harry Segall which includes watching all his movies – perfect holiday fun. (Here Comes Mr. Jordan, Heaven Can Wait, Monkey Business.)
Happy Sunday and Happy Holidays!
Howdy, Imps! Happy holidays!
Hello to Olivier Ganthier and to Danielle Joseph. I love the bright colors Olivier employs.
Jules: Enjoy your time off! Yay for friends.
Mary: Hi to your grandson! Yay for books.
1) Music
2) Movement
3) Motivation
4) Meow (seeing photos and videos of other people’s cats)
5) Methods
6) Movies
7) Merge
Mary, thank you for taking the books to Book ‘Em. So glad you get to see the adorable grandchild on FaceTime.
Rachel, you got the bookmarks? Yay! That virtual gala sounds fun. Glad Daisy is having fun this Christmas too. … I will have to look up The Holiday.
Little Willow, KITTIES. Pumpkinfacehead says hi.
Have a great holiday, you all!
Rachel: Hi Daisy!
Jules: Hi Pumpkinfacehead!