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.