The Spark in You

This jubilant picture book filled with powerful affirmations celebrates the beautiful magic that makes each of us special. This is the perfect heartfelt gift for a birthday, graduation or other new beginnings.

There is a spark in you!

The spark in you shines when you smile. It sparkles when you dance. It glimmers and shimmers, zings, and pops! Your spark is festive and joyous and burns brightest when you are authentically being you.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Carnival, a little girl uses all her creative energy to get ready for the big parade. Through the eyes of this vibrant character, the story celebrates individual expression and creativity as well as the explosion of light, color, and flavor of the festival.

Leaning into her Brazilian heritage, creator Andrea Pippins shares a window into the world of a young girl as she joins in the excitement of the parade. The spare text leaves room for the striking artwork to shine in a powerful display of community, individuality, and spirit.
© Sofia Runarsdotter
Andrea Pippins is the author-illustrator of many children’s books including Maya’s World; The Spark in You; Who Will You Be?; and Hey Baby! She is also the illustrator of Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present, written by Jamia Wilson. Her work has been seen in The New York Times, O: The Oprah Magazine, Essence, HBO, on Nick Jr. and more. She lives with her family in Stockholm, Sweden. View titles by Andrea Pippins

Classroom Activities for The Spark in You

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Discussion Guide for The Spark in You

Provides questions, discussion topics, suggested reading lists, introductions and/or author Q&As, which are intended to enhance reading groups’ experiences.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

"Pippins’s enthusiastic book takes inspiration from Brazilian Carnival as it celebrates individuals’ internal spark." —Publishers Weekly

"A marvelous manifesto reminding all of us to look within to find what ignites our spark." —Kirkus Reviews

"Libraries will want to consider purchasing this homage to joyful self-expression for its visual representation of Carnival." —School Library Journal

About

This jubilant picture book filled with powerful affirmations celebrates the beautiful magic that makes each of us special. This is the perfect heartfelt gift for a birthday, graduation or other new beginnings.

There is a spark in you!

The spark in you shines when you smile. It sparkles when you dance. It glimmers and shimmers, zings, and pops! Your spark is festive and joyous and burns brightest when you are authentically being you.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Carnival, a little girl uses all her creative energy to get ready for the big parade. Through the eyes of this vibrant character, the story celebrates individual expression and creativity as well as the explosion of light, color, and flavor of the festival.

Leaning into her Brazilian heritage, creator Andrea Pippins shares a window into the world of a young girl as she joins in the excitement of the parade. The spare text leaves room for the striking artwork to shine in a powerful display of community, individuality, and spirit.

Author

© Sofia Runarsdotter
Andrea Pippins is the author-illustrator of many children’s books including Maya’s World; The Spark in You; Who Will You Be?; and Hey Baby! She is also the illustrator of Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present, written by Jamia Wilson. Her work has been seen in The New York Times, O: The Oprah Magazine, Essence, HBO, on Nick Jr. and more. She lives with her family in Stockholm, Sweden. View titles by Andrea Pippins

Guides

Classroom Activities for The Spark in You

Classroom activities supplement discussion and traditional lessons with group projects and creative tasks. Can be used in pre-existing units and lessons, or as stand-alone.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Discussion Guide for The Spark in You

Provides questions, discussion topics, suggested reading lists, introductions and/or author Q&As, which are intended to enhance reading groups’ experiences.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Praise

"Pippins’s enthusiastic book takes inspiration from Brazilian Carnival as it celebrates individuals’ internal spark." —Publishers Weekly

"A marvelous manifesto reminding all of us to look within to find what ignites our spark." —Kirkus Reviews

"Libraries will want to consider purchasing this homage to joyful self-expression for its visual representation of Carnival." —School Library Journal

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