7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #774: Featuring Bryan Collier
December 19th, 2021 by jules
I’m sending you to the Horn Book’s Calling Caldecott today to read, if you’re so inclined, Monique Harris’s wonderful post on Bryan Collier’s illustrations for We Shall Overcome (Orchard Books). This is a picture book adaptation of the classic gospel / protest song, and I believe it will be on shelves at the end of this month. (It might already be on shelves, but it’s hard to tell anymore with the shipping delays we’re experiencing in this country and the ways in which that has affected book publishing.)
And because you know I like to share art, you can head back here when you’re done reading Monique’s post to see some spreads from this book. More are pictured below!
Monique’s post is here. Enjoy!
WE SHALL OVERCOME. Illustrations copyright © 2021 by Bryan Collier and reproduced by permission of the publisher, Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc., 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.
I’m going to share two videos today, in lieu of seven separate kicks. First, in honor of today’s featured book, is the Morehouse College Glee Club performing “We Shall Overcome” (arranged by Wendell P. Whalum) from 2009. Because it’s beautiful.
Secondly, here is Dodie (who made one of my favorite albums this year) having fun with a Christmas carol. I suppose the next time we meet here to kick, Christmas will be over. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa (and happy season-of-all-the-lights for those who don’t celebrate anything)! I hope this post today finds you all healthy, happy, safe, COVID-free, and at peace.
Hi Imps! Hi Bryan! Happy holidays!
Jules: Did you watch Dodie’s visual album for Build a Problem? If not, here’s the link. Cool concept, well-executed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmgmVBJyPPs
My kicks:
1) Cats
2) In person
3) Good job
4) In person
5) Dimmers
6) Moderate
7) Layers
Looking at these moving illustrations while listening to the Morehouse College Glee Club perform the song was perfect for this Sunday morning. What a beautiful book, and I love the way the illustrations link past and present.
Little Willow – love your kicks of Cats and that In Person gets two separate kicks.
My kicks this week are about finding joy in the small spaces and places. A good friend who lives far away lost her husband unexpectedly yesterday, so also trying to hold space for everyone not having the easiest time this holiday season, and anyone dealing with loss and grief. The song Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas will be the most one on repeat on my playlist this week.
Bonus kick – grateful for this lovely place on the interwebs where we can share joy and light, and are reminded that we have so much to be thankful for.
Happy Merry Everything Imps!
Hi,
I love this new book. woke to a wee bit of snow and just realized I hadn’t checked in.
Jules, thank you for holding space each week for us.
Little Willow, layers are needed in the PNW today.
Rachel, I am sorry about your friend’s husband. We listened to Christmas music yesterday.
My kicks are wrapped up in the snow and the coziness of the day.
Little Willow: I have NOT seen that, but I want to! I love that album. … Also, I love that you have “in person” twice.
Oh, Rachel. I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. What a huge loss. … and thanks for the kind words about kicking.
Jone, SNOW. I’m jealous. I hope you and Chuck stay cozy all day!
I’m grateful for you three, being here weekly and sharing as you do.
happy holidays!