The One and Only Sparkella (Sparkella #1)
by Channing Tatum (Author) Kim Barnes (Illustrator)
Leading actor, producer and director Channing Tatum's picture book debut, The One and Only Sparkella is a charming ode to self-esteem and the love between a father and daughter--illustrated by Kim Barnes.
Ella is excited for her first day at a new school. Glimmering pencil case? Check! Shimmering backpack? Check! Glittery ribbons in her hair? Check! She can't wait to meet the other kids and share her sparkly personality. But her first day doesn't go quite as planned: Her new classmates don't like her disco-ball shoes, her PB&J-with-sprinkles sandwich, or her rainbow-y unicorn painting. Ella decides to try to be less sparkly at school the next day so the other kids won't make fun of her. But with a little help from her dad, she soon learns the importance of just being herself, no matter what other people say.
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School Library Journal
K-Gr 2--Hollywood superstar Tatum pens a sparkling debut. Ella--who prefers to go by Sparkella--prepares for her first day at a new school. Excited to share her penchant for all things glittering, Sparkella proclaims, "I am not nervous because I sparkle!" However, as her father walks her glittery self to school, she admits to being "nerv-cited." This prompts an upbeat pep talk from her pink-boa wearing dad, followed by a mini-dance party. Sparkella enters school with her confidence restored--only to be met by classmates who are quite unsure of her shimmering self. At recess, the lunch table, and art class, Sparkella's classmates express confusion about her self-expression. Feeling defeated, she returns home with a resolve to be less sparkly the next day. She eats a plain lunch, goes by Ella, and sits quietly, yet feels even worse. In a delightful twist, Ella's father approaches her that evening and admits that he is having trouble at work and seeks her advice. Of course, lots of dancing ensues, along with the recommendation to be yourself, encouraging Sparkella to return to her own twinkling self. The next day at school, she notices a little more sparkle among her classmates. The endearing representation of a supportive single father makes this book shine; similarly, the illustrations delight throughout, tenderly reflecting Sparkella's struggles and successes. VERDICT A charming story of self-reliance, and a solid addition to many collections.--Olivia Gorecke, Cape May Cty. Lib., Ocean View, NJ
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Review quotes
Praise for The One and Only Sparkella:
Hollywood superstar Tatum pens a sparkling debut. ... The endearing representation of a supportive single father makes this book shine; similarly, the illustrations delight throughout, tenderly reflecting Sparkella's struggles and successes. A charming story of self-reliance. —School Library Journal, starred review A delightful tale that encourages kids to embrace their individuality. —People For the children, or the inner child, in your life. —Oprah DailyChanning Tatum is known for his work both on-screen as an actor and behind-the-scenes as a producer and director. In 2021, he added #1 New York Times-bestselling Author to his body of work when his first children's book, The One and Only Sparkella, debuted at the top spot. In 2014, Tatum founded his production company Free Association with partners Peter Kiernan and Reid Carolin. He and Carolin produced and co-directed Dog, in which Tatum also starred. Tatum's feature credits include the Magic Mike and Jump Street franchises; Matthew Vaughn's Kingsman: The Golden Circle; the critically-acclaimed drama Foxcatcher; the Coen Brothers' Hail, Caesar!, Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight; Dear John; and The Vow. However, his favorite role to date is being father to his daughter Everly, who loves sparkly, rainbow-y things. He currently resides in Los Angeles.
Kim Barnes lives on the Isle of Wight with her partner and two children, Leo and Cameo, who greatly inspire her work. She graduated from Lincoln University, England, and has drawn ever since she was a young child. She is the illustrator of the Sparkella series written by Channing Tatum (The One and Only Sparkella and The One and Only Sparkella Makes a Plan).Fathers and daughters
Self-esteem
First day of school
Self-esteem in children
