One sentence summary
Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem is an uplifting and inspiring book by Amanda Gorman, the renowned American poet, encouraging children to use their voices to make a difference.
Book genre
This is a children’s picture book genre and it is a perfect read for children on optimism, resilience, and the power of their own voice during tumultuous times.
Main topic of the book
Change Sings is an empowering book that gives readers, young and old, the courage and strength to tap into their own power to affect change.
Key ideas
The main idea of the book is outlined in the poem’s final lines: “And now we have arrived, to chase our fear of heights, and believe change sings with our own strong might.”
Some of the key ideas include:
- Believing in yourself: the power of believing in oneself and the spark of courage to strive ahead in life.
- Mental perseverance: maintaining optimism and resilience in the face of difficulties.
- Speaking out: using one’s voice to effect change and make the world a better place.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
This book has two main parts: a poem and illustrative artwork.
- Poem: Along with the inspiring message of the poem, it covers themes such as fear, community, chance, and bravery. It is narrated mainly in the present, and past tense.
- Art: The art in the book illustrates the poem, helping to bring out the meaningful messages of courage and resilience buried within the words. The book is illustrated in warm pastels with an abundance of symbols and key figures throughout.
Key takeaways
- Change Sings encourages readers to overcome fear and tap into their own strength to achieve their goals.
- It encourages readers to be kind and persistent in their journey of self-discovery.
- The book reinforces the idea that one voice can make a difference and can lead to inspiring outcomes.
Author’s background and qualifications
Amanda Gorman is a 22-year-old American poet, author, and former youth director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Moving Writer’s Program. Her residency as the first-ever National Youth Poet Laureate further demonstrates her commitment to empowering youth to use their own voice as a force of positive change.
Target audience
This book was written for children and adults looking for a source of inspiration and motivation during tumultuous times.
Publisher and first publication date
This book was published by Penguin Random House LLC and was first released on February 23, 2021.