Rockstar Book Tours: “Lala’s World” Reminds Us All to Be Kind and Embrace Imagination

Title: LALA’S WORDS: A Story of Planting Kindness
Author: Gracey Zhang
Pub. Date: July 6, 2021
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 48
Formats: Hardcover, eBook
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

At first glance, Lala’s Words is an uplifting book about a little girl whose kindness towards the plants in a little patch of dirt on her block turns into something magical. Lala is a energetic little girl who is constantly on the move – sometimes to the exasperation of those around her. In the end her kindness and joy for the world wins out.

As a parent reading Lala’s Words, though, there’s almost a different meaning. Lala’s love for life and endless energy are exhausting for her mother and later in the book she gets upset with Lala. I think every parent has been in that same situation where they say the wrong thing when they’re tired and regret it. But quickly she sees the way Lala’s energy literally transforms the world around her and realizes she just needs to accept Lala as she is.

Great book for both children and parents!

About the Book

From debut author-illustrator Gracey Zhang comes a timeless and timely picture book that celebrates the unassuming power of kind words.

Oh, there goes Lala! She carries a pot of water around the corner, down the block, and over the fence, to a patch of dirt and concrete where tiny weeds sprout. “Hello, hello, friends!” she whispers. Lala waters the plants every day, but it is her kind words that make them sway and nod.

Lala’s wild nature and quiet compassion enchant in this evergreen story about the power of kind words and the magic of being loved for who you are.

A Junior Library Guild selection

Praise for Lala’s Words

★ “Zhang’s powerful debut lifts up the power words have to heal and feed.” ― Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Zhang’s style, blending warmhearted mltiethnic urban caricature with a bold-lined rough-and-tumble zeal, is wholly original. And like the compliment Lala pays her soon science-fiction-size plants, this debut picture book (which also depcits a burgeoning mother-daughter relationship) is ‘magnificient.'” ― New York TimesBook Review

“This is the enchanting story about the power of words.” ― Booklist

“Lala’s enthusiasm blossoms on the page.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“A verdant tale of leaves, language, and most importantly, love.” ― Molly Idle (author-illustrator of Pearl; Flora and the Flamingo)

“Much like an encouraging word, Gracey’s vibrant pictures will lift you up.” ― Christian Robinson (author of Another; illustrator of Last Stop on Market Street)

“A touching fantasy rooted in reality. Gracey’s art recalls children’s books masters . . . Ludwig Bemelmans, Roger Duvoisin, David Small. Yet it is fresh and lovely and hasn’t been seen before.” ― LeUyen Pham (illustrator of Bear Came Along; Grace for President)

“Lala’s Words is really about magic; a special kind of magic called kindness. Like the sunlight and falling rain, kindness nourishes the world around us. This book, with its lovely art and whimsical story, will also nourish the reader.” ― The Fan Brothers (author-illustrators of Ocean Meets Sky; The Night Gardener)

Giveaway

3 winners will receive a finished copy of LALA’S WORDS, US Only.

About Gracey Zhang

Gracey Zhang is an illustrator and animator with a love of storytelling and verse. She was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, and received her degree in Illustration from RISD. She is now based in Brooklyn, New York, where she can be found window watching from the train when she’s not scribbling away at her desk. Lala’s Words is her first picture book. You can visit her at graceyzhang.com.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads 

Tour Schedule

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Week Two: