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    Sunday Service

    Author Janelle Harper
    Illustrated by Steffi Walthall
    Hardcover
    $18.99 US
    Penguin Young Readers | Viking Books for Young Readers
    10"W x 9"H
    On sale Nov 17, 2026 | 32 Pages | 9780593694466
    Preschool - 2
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    From the critically-acclaimed writer of My Block Looks Like and Salon Saturday comes another picture book that celebrates a sacred ritual in Black culture: Sunday morning church services!

    A young girl and her family wake up before the sun rises and begin their Sunday-morning routine for church. Dad greets everyone at the breakfast table with kisses while Mama presses pleats and lays edges. Soon the whole family piles into the car and sets the radio to the Gospel station.

    The aisle becomes a runway as members of the congregation, dressed in their Sunday-morning best, find their seats among the pews. Once the service begins, the main character does her best to calm her nerves as she waits for her drum solo. She takes a deep breath before rat-a-tat-tatting on the snare and booming on the base. The congregation explodes with joy, rocking and swaying, praying and praising! The young girl's family looks on with pride before piling back into the car and looking forward to doing it all again next week.
    Janelle Harper is a Bronx native who proudly carries her New York accent anywhere she goes. She finds inspiration in city living and the diverse experiences of the African Diaspora. When she is not enjoying the hidden gems of the Bronx, she is traveling and exploring new cultures. She is a proud veteran public school teacher who comes from a long line of educators. She is passionate about creating stories that reflect the children in her Bronx classroom and neighborhood. When she’s not thinking about her next book, Janelle can often be found in her dance studio, blasting music, yelling “five-six-seven-eight,” and preparing elaborate student productions. Visit her online at JanelleHarperAuthor.com.

    Steffi Walthall is an illustrator and character designer born and raised in Virginia. She received her BFA in Game Development from the Savannah College of Art & Design and has illustrated several previous picture books, including Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round.
    Janelle Harper View titles by Janelle Harper
    Steffi Walthall View titles by Steffi Walthall
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    About

    From the critically-acclaimed writer of My Block Looks Like and Salon Saturday comes another picture book that celebrates a sacred ritual in Black culture: Sunday morning church services!

    A young girl and her family wake up before the sun rises and begin their Sunday-morning routine for church. Dad greets everyone at the breakfast table with kisses while Mama presses pleats and lays edges. Soon the whole family piles into the car and sets the radio to the Gospel station.

    The aisle becomes a runway as members of the congregation, dressed in their Sunday-morning best, find their seats among the pews. Once the service begins, the main character does her best to calm her nerves as she waits for her drum solo. She takes a deep breath before rat-a-tat-tatting on the snare and booming on the base. The congregation explodes with joy, rocking and swaying, praying and praising! The young girl's family looks on with pride before piling back into the car and looking forward to doing it all again next week.

    Author

    Janelle Harper is a Bronx native who proudly carries her New York accent anywhere she goes. She finds inspiration in city living and the diverse experiences of the African Diaspora. When she is not enjoying the hidden gems of the Bronx, she is traveling and exploring new cultures. She is a proud veteran public school teacher who comes from a long line of educators. She is passionate about creating stories that reflect the children in her Bronx classroom and neighborhood. When she’s not thinking about her next book, Janelle can often be found in her dance studio, blasting music, yelling “five-six-seven-eight,” and preparing elaborate student productions. Visit her online at JanelleHarperAuthor.com.

    Steffi Walthall is an illustrator and character designer born and raised in Virginia. She received her BFA in Game Development from the Savannah College of Art & Design and has illustrated several previous picture books, including Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round.
    Janelle Harper View titles by Janelle Harper
    Steffi Walthall View titles by Steffi Walthall

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