"The Little Girl With The Big Voice" - a bookwrap

Unwrapping

"The Little Girl with the Big Voice"

by Wé McDonald

Illustrated by Teresa Martinez

Ages:  6+

Hardcover

Publisher: Lightswitch Learning

Pub. date: April 24, 2018

Unwrapping praise for the book

A wonderful story about a girl who learns to overcome obstacles and whose talent and determination allow her to shine. Families and kids of all ages should share this story with all those who want or need to be inspired. --Pedro A. Noguera, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Education, UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies

All generations can relate to The Little Girl with the Big Voice as the author Wé McDonald candidly reveals her personal challenges and hopes and dreams while growing up being bullied. In her own unique voice, she doesn't shy away from confronting the difficult challenges in life--even though it is heartbreaking to read. Through her words and feelings, we can clearly understand how the raw pain of being bullied can seep so deep that we can never truly forget. --Nancy Silberkleit, Co-CEO, Archie Comic Publications, Inc.

Wé McDonald has become an important and authentic voice to speak out against bullying. By sharing her own journey, she has forged a path for other young people to find their own 'big voice' in words and music. We stand with Wé to eradicate bullying and cyberbullying worldwide. --Erik Stangvik, The No Bully Organization

Unwrapping some awesome illustrations for you to enjoy

About the book

This is a wonderful true story of a shy, bullied girl who finds her voice in the world and what an extraordinary and magnificent voice it is.

"I'm holding my heard up high. I know my dreams will touch the sky..."  that is her mission in life and one she wants to share with every child.  It is a positive, inspirational message that she delivers through not only her songs but through her acting and dancing abilities.  She is very talented and beautiful inside and out. 

This little girl with a big voice is determined not to be defined by bullying words and what others think about her.  She forges ahead to become a singing sensation on "The Voice", an NBC-TV hit show that millions of viewers watch weekly. 

With the support of teachers, her loving parents and her own brute determination to keep moving forward she wows the judges and starts to believe in herself and that incredible voice within her.  

She confronts the painful, ostricizing bullying episodes from her younger years head on and turns those hurtful experiences into a positive force that reaches out to help others who are being bullied through her cathartic lyrics and soothing words.  She comforts with authority because she is a survivor of such vitriol and speaks from first hand experience and right from her heart.  Her words are healing and are drawn from her own past wounds.  Wé's uplifting words empower others to find their own voice and instead of succumbing to victimization she encourages kids to become who they were created to be, someone with value and uniqueness.  She inspires others to celebrate and be proud of who they are and raise their voices and give a toast to... themselves!

The illustrations are colourful, vibrant and funky.  I love them.  They fit the narrative perfectly.  The book includes follow-up questions and activities and is a winner on many levels.  I highly recommend it. 

Storywraps Rating:  5+++ HUGS!!!!!

Introducing the author

Wé McDonald (pronounced “way”) is a New York City-born singer-songwriter who had a star-making turn on the hit NBC TV show The Voice. She drew national attention in 2016 as she rose to the top of the competition under the guidance of Alicia Keys. A thoughtful teenager who learned to respect and value differences at an early age, Wé revealed on The Voice that she experienced bullying and body-image issues while growing up. Since then, she has become a national advocate for young people facing similar challenges while pursuing a career in music.

About the illustrator 

During her early childhood, Teresa lived in a small town north of Mexico, playing in the river, walking with the cows, and feeding the neighbor’s pigs. When her parents decided to move to the city (Monterrey) to give Teresa and her brothers a better education, she spent these later years missing that quiet life. Teresa was a very shy girl at school, and drawing helped her connect with other kids.

There was no career for Illustration in Mexico in those days, so Teresa decided to study Graphic Design and spent many afternoons reading books on art in the university’s library. She also took many painting courses and even went to Italy for a short course at the Leonardo Da Vinci School (Florence). Eventually, she started working as a children’s book illustrator and been doing that ever since.

Now Teresa lives in Puerto Vallarta, drawing for kids (as she did in her school). Every other day, she gets to see the cows outside her house. And that makes her happy.

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