Welcome to the Cypher

• Consumer and trade key reviewer printed ARC and DRC mailing
• NetGalley, CataList, and no-request necessary Edelweiss DRC distribution
• Bookseller outreach, including promotion at Children's Institute, BEA; finished book mailing; promotion through Annick e-newsletters
• Librarian and teacher outreach, including promotion at TLA, SLJ Middle Grade Magic; contesting and more in Annick teacher-librarian newsletter; Library advertising
• Social media campaign, virtual programming, virtual events (author is a slam poet!)
• Print and online media outreach, including picture book/diversity-focused media, bloggers, YouTubers
• Presentation at international rights conferences including Frankfurt, Bologna, Guadalajara, and more

Words burn bright in this joyful celebration of rap, creativity, and self-expression.

“Welcome to the cypher!

Now huddle up nice and snug.

You feel that circle around you?

Well, that’s a hip hop hug!” 

Starting with beatboxes and fingersnaps, an exuberant narrator introduces kids in his community to the powerful possibilities of rap, from turning “a simple phrase/into imagery that soars” to proclaiming, “this is a voice that represents me!” As Khodi Dill’s rhymes heat up, the diverse crew of kids—illustrated in Awuradwoa Afful’s bold, energetic style—gain self-confidence and a sense of freedom in this wonderful picture book debut that is perfect for reading aloud.