Review & Giveaway: Keyana Loves Her Family by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley and Illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Source: the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: December 13th, 2022
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | BookShop.org
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Natasha Anastasia Tarpley returns with a breakout new picture book series all about Keyana, the protagonist of her bestselling title I Love My Hair!, and the people and places she adores.

Keyana’s always full of big ideas. Her latest and greatest plan is to host a perfect family movie night. From aunts to uncles to her five favorite cousins, everyone is invited! She knows the best way to impress her guests is with a fabulous soiree, and there’s a lot on her to-do list. But when the night doesn’t go as planned, she’ll have to rely on a little help from the people she loves most.

With warm illustrations by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, this character-centric new picture book series from Natasha Anastasia Tarpley will give Keyana a fresh, commercial update that's perfect for today's young readers.

My Thoughts:

"Keyana Loves Her Family" is a vibrant and sweet story about a young girl who plans a fun night for her extended family. She has lots of energy, lots of big ideas and plans, and a tendency to perfection. In fatc, she reminds me a lot of Fancy Nancy, with her ideas and energy. 

Keyana plans a movie night, refusing help from her family, but things go wrong and she struggles to cope. Barlow's illustrations are vivid yet have a gentley washed out feel, and are full of details. The facial expressions and body language reflect and enhance the prose. Tarpley portrays a bright, energetic child who loves her family and wants to show them while also giving them a fun time. When things don't go her way, she is disappointed but deals with her disappointment, with help from her family. She stretches her creativity and problem solving skills and the results make her happy.

"Keyana Loves Her Family" is a bouncy, sweet, thoughtful story with a gentle message and a fun addition to a child's library.

About Natasha Anastasia Tarpley ~

Natasha Anastasia Tarpley started writing when she was seven years old, and from that young age she understood that stories could change the world. She is the author of the bestselling picture book I Love My Hair!, Bippity Bop Barbershop, The Me I Choose to Be, among other titles. Natasha is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and is the cofounder of Voonderbar! Media, a project seeking to expand the depictions of children of color in media. She lives with her family in Chicago, Illinois.

Find Natasha Online ~

Website | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads  

About Charnelle Pinkney Barlow ~

Charnelle Pinkney Barlow was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, New York. She received her BFA in Illustration from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and her MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Creating images and stories that speak to the hearts of children and those that guide them is her greatest joy. Charnelle currently lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband. She is the illustrator of Remember to Dream, Ebere, The Real Santa, Just Like Mama, and many other titles.

Find Charnelle Online ~

Website | Instagram | TikTok | Pinterest | Goodreads 

1 winner, tour-wide, will receive a finished copy of KEYANA LOVES HER FAMILY, US Only. Ends December 27th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Rafflecopter Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21589/?

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

12/12/2022	Mythical Books	Excerpt/IG Post
12/12/2022	yabookscentral.com	Guest Post or Excerpt
12/13/2022	Lady Hawkeye	Excerpt/IG Post
12/13/2022	@jael_and_jenessa_reads	Review/IG Post
12/14/2022	Bea's Book Nook	Review
12/14/2022	popthebutterfly	Review/IG Post
12/15/2022	Emily Ashlyn	Review/IG Post
12/15/2022	the book near me	Review/IG Post
12/16/2022	onemused	IG Post
12/16/2022	The Momma Spot	Review/IG Post

 

Week Two:

12/19/2022	Kim"s Book Reviews and Writing Aha's	Review/IG Post
12/19/2022	@carlysunshinebooks	IG Review
12/20/2022	A Blue Box Full of Books	IG Review/LFL Drop Pic
12/20/2022	One More Exclamation	Review/IG Post
12/21/2022	More Books Please blog	Review
12/21/2022	@allyluvsbooksalatte	IG Review
12/22/2022	@froggyreadteach	IG Review/Read Aloud
12/22/2022	Author Z. Knight	Review/IG Post
12/23/2022	Books with Brandie Shanae	Youtube Review/IG Post
12/23/2022	two points of interest	Review