Award-winning picture book creator Frank Morrison makes his author/illustrator debut in an exuberant story about being yourself.
Epic has tricks you won't believe. He's the kick flipping, big rail king. When his family moves to a new neighborhood, he can't wait to hit the street with his skateboard. But his old moves don't feel fresh without a crew to see 'em. Epic thinks about giving up his board to fit in, but an encouraging word from his dad helps him see that the trick to making new friends is to always be yourself. Be you. . . be epic!<
Award-winning illustrator Frank Morrison offers a heartwarming, dynamic celebration of self-expression, inspired by his own journey through fatherhood.
Before becoming a children's book illustrator, Frank Morrison was a graffiti artist and break-dancer. While on tour in Europe, he visited the Louvre, where paintings by the Masters inspired him to take his art in a new direction. Frank has won a Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator honor, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, an NAACP Image Award, and a Society of Illustrators Original Art Silver Medal. He lives in Georgia.
What’s that old saying again? The one about how there are no new stories? Maybe I’m thinking of the one from Mark Twain, where he said, “There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they make new and curious combinations. We keep on turning and making new combinations indefinitely; but they are the same old pieces of colored glass that have been in use through all the ages.” I think about that quote a lot right now with the current wave of picture book titles meant to bulk up our children’s self-esteem. No doubt you’ve encountered many of these books yourself over the last few years. The thing is, it’s hard to fault a book with good intentions. Titles that want to make our children feel good about themselves should be cheered and celebrated, yes? So why is it that so many of them feel so . . . so . . . samey? The words often just feel like a reconstituted word jumble, placed in a new combination. The pictures? Perfectly decent (my most damning praise). And they all blend together after a while. Blend into a soup of well-intended boredom. Only once in a great while will there be an exception. A book that pulls itself out of the morass of like-mindedness and show a spark of something different. On the outset it may sound like it’s the same old same old, but inside? There’s life to it. Joy. And something utterly original that nobody would think of, let alone try to replicate. When author/artist Frank Morrison is on the ball, his pages crackle with an energy only he could conjure up. Read the plot of Kick Push on paper and it sounds like something you’ve seen a hundred times before. Read the actual book and there’s nothing to compare.
That said, I may as well tell you the plot at this point. Where he comes from, Ivan’s a legend. A skateboarder with moves that have truly earned him the name “Epic”. Now he’s in a new neighborhood, but that’s not a problem. Or is it? Turns out, no one in Epic’s new stomping grounds is into his gnarly tricks. He’s a skateboarder without a crew. Distraught, he throws his board aside and tries the activities other people do around here. Nothing does it for him, though, and it’s only when his dad hands him back his board and says he’ll need it, does he discover that if you do what you love without apology, you’ll find your crew. You’ll find your people.
Recently I was discussing this book with a group of fellow librarians and one of them made an excellent point. They compared Kick Push to fellow 2022 release Beauty Woke by NoNieqa Ramos (illustrated by Paola Escobar) as examples of “vibrant self-empowerment” that are, and I cannot stress this enough, both amazingly written and illustrated. The fact of the matter, folks, is that a book with a subtitle like “Be Your Epic Self” isn’t the enticement to book reviewers that it should be. Why? It’s simple. We’ve let down too many times. And anyway, as far as I’m concerned a book about self-empowerment is one of the hardest books to write well. Not, I should say, one of the hardest books to write. Anyone can write one (and most do). But to project a positive message without coming across as schlocky, tired, or unimaginative? A different librarian I work with was heard to comment recently, “Why do I give illustrations I don’t like a pass when the writing is good, but I don’t give books with poor writing a pass even when the art is amazing?” I don't know why, but it's true. As far as I’m concerned, the whole reason Kick Push (and, by extension, Beauty Woke) works is because the writing and the art elevate one another. Too few books can say as much.
Reviewers like myself spend an inordinate amount of time trying to put words to the ineffable. Why does a Frank Morrison production look, feel, sound, and … uh … taste (?) different from every other artist working in the field of children’s literature today? The answer may lie in his own Author’s Note at the front of the book. He writes, “When painting this story, I chose my signature style of mannerism.” Mannerism, eh? *surreptitiously looks the word up on the internet* Ah! Here it is: “excessive or self-conscious use of a distinctive style in art, literature, or music.” Well, that’s the long and short of it all right. Long ago, way back in 2005, I watched Frank win the John Steptoe New Talent Award for his work on the picture book Jazzy Miz Mozetta. That book exuded originality. Watching Morrison, you could see the characters on his pages extend these long, spider-like limbs and start moving with a rhythmic urgency across the printed page. Arms akimbo, knees knocking, it was distinctive and utterly mesmerizing. Frank Morrison doesn’t always utilize his “mannerism,” as he calls it, and I can see why. Have you ever looked at an artist’s work and come to the inescapable conclusion that after its completion they must have been exhausted? That’s how I feel whenever I read a Frank Morrison book. And yet, with Kick Push, I get a different feeling. Like maybe Mr. Morrison was instead energized by the very energy pulsing off of these pages. You certainly feel energized just reading it!
Remember that Author’s Note at the beginning of the book that I mentioned earlier? It begins with A Note from Frank in which he confesses that after “a month” of attempts, he has had to give up his dreams of “becoming even an average skateboarder.” Put another way, his kids are just better. This transitions neatly into an explanation that with this book he is not looking to replicate reality. Instead, his artistic style has been honed to capture “the energy and essence of these moves, rather than the physical reality of them.” I could not express better why this book works for me as well as it does. To my mind, Mr. Morrison is at his best when he has a work before him that allows him to tap into feelings rather than facts. In the course of jumps, stretches, and slides, his characters elongate. Their very bodies lengthen on the page so that you find yourself caught between admiration and only the slightest hint of disbelief. Epic in this book is seen spotlit from behind by the sun. His journey goes from confidence to doubt to confidence again. But part of what I love about the book itself is that he doesn’t have a monopoly on moves. There’s one section in particular where he finds himself caught in the center of a water gun/balloon fight and the girl just right of center is launching balloons that's blowing one made of bubble gum at the same time may be the very definition of “cool” in my mind from now on. This was a story that perfectly aligned with its creator’s talents.
On the back of this book, written in large graffitied letters, read the words “BE YOU”. A healthy message but one that kids get all the time. What precisely does “BE YOU” even mean? Kick Push isn’t giving your children step-by-step guidance on the matter. What it is doing is providing a situation that becomes intolerable until the hero returns to their true self and stops trying to be some kind of impossible people pleaser. But I would take this a step further. This is what happens in a book when Frank Morrison IS himself. He’s taken his own advice here. He’s let his artistry take wing, and gone all in on a kind of children’s literature expressionism. The thing about Frank Morrison is that no one, nowhere, at any time, looks like him. Turns out the man is also capable of taking a topic that I’d deem near impossible to write about for kids without sounding schlocky, and has rendered it not simply palatable but beautiful. A book that puts the motion in e-motion.
Epic loves skateboarding. But his family has moved to a new neighborhood and Epic misses his old crew. Doing awesome tricks on a board is fun but not as much when you can't do them with friends. He tries to fit in by playing other sports - football, soccer, basketball... but they just are not his jam. His parents encourage him to give it one more try - and skate to the local bodega for a treat. He does his best skate ever but will that be enough to attract a new group of skate friends?
This is so much fun to read. There is excitement leaping off of every page. And the illustrations are amazing. Pair it with other books about being true to yourself such as I Like Me! by Nancy Carlson. Thank you to the publisher for a link to the E-ARC for the book. I think it will be hugely popular - especially with skateboarding being a part of the Olympics this year.
2/23/24 ~ SO MUCH FUN to read aloud. The rhythms and word choice sound just like a skateboard on the sidewalk.
7/23/2022 ~ Takes the idea of an affirmation book and makes it so concrete with skateboard moves. Morrison's illustrations jump off the page and leave the reader breathless with energy. Moving is hard for all of us, and especially for kids. It takes time to find friends (a crew) and courage to stay true to yourself. Buy this book for the young readers in your life and profession.
Kids who love skateboarding will get into this one, although parents may wince that the kid is doing dangerous tricks with no helmet. Lots of skate slang in this one, so it may kick, push right past some readers.
Excellent. Love the art - so well done. Expressions of each character are unique and identifiable. Fluid motion of the skateboarding made me dizzy! Positive depictions of family, friends, and neighborhoods. Love it!
Illustrations are stunning and capture the reader. The narrative is action packed. It is a great read aloud to demonstrate onomatopoeia. Story about a boy who moves and has difficulty making friends but the story line is shallow and simplistic. Use of skateboarder jargon without any backmatter or definitions limits the readability. An inquisitive reader could be encouraged to seek out more information about skateboarding.
Consider adding to library collection if budget is not an issue.
Epic loved to skate board and he was very good at it. When he moved to a new neighborhood, he continued to skate but he would skate alone because he had no friends. After a while, he became sad because he had no friends to skate with or to try no cool tricks with. He spoke with his parents and they suggested he try something new. He tried different sports but he did not like them. He spoke with his dad and he suggested to Epic that he should hop on his skateboard and give it one more try. Epic got on his skateboard and skated towards the bodega. When he got to the store, many children noticed his cool tricks as he skated into the store. He met a new crew of friends and they skated together. I like the message in this book that tells kids to be themselves. Even though Epic was having a hard time finding friends, he didn't give up on his love for skateboarding. He attempted to fit in with others by trying new sports, but he realized that those activities were not for him. He continued to do what he loved and he eventually met friends that were just like him. His story shows children about persistence, patience, and being themselves. I also enjoyed looking at the illustrations. They paint a vivid neighborhood that fits the culture of skateboarding perfectly.
Buckeye Children's Book Award nominee, grades 3-5. Picture book about a Black boy who's just moved to a new city neighborhood and is depressed because he has no friends here to see him do cool tricks on his skateboard. His father tells him to keep an open mind, so Ivan tries doing new things with other kids, like football, basketball, soccer, even a water balloon/quirt gun battle, but he's no good at any of them and doesn't get any new friends. During one last ride of his board down the street, he kick-flip-tricks his way past various stores and bodegas, only to find out at his final stop that there's a line of kids behind him who were all impressed by his moves! So they all go off to skate together. The text is written in hip-hop style, very smooth, lots of repetition of "kick push" something, and the sounds of the wheels and the board are rhythmic additions. The art is graffiti-style, colorful, exaggerated, fluid, with beautiful faces and lithe stretched-out bodies on the move. Fun!
Wow, I love the artwork here. There is so much energy and movement. You can feel the natural high this kid gets riding his skateboard. He jumps off the page. I can hear the clack of the wheels from the artwork alone.
MC is nicknamed Epic because his moves are so 'epic'. His family just moved to a new home and Epic doesn't have any friends. He feels confident that his epic moves will get him friends in no time, but it seems no one is watching. He gets down and tries other things with not so great results.
His motto is Be great, be epic. I love the message of the book - a message of "go for it". Put yourself out there. It's a great message with great artwork.
This book was energizing. For those active kids and kids into skateboarding, I think they will enjoy this.
I found this book on the 2023 Mock Caldecott list. It's a good read.
“These streets might be different, but Epic’s tricks are the same.”
Moving into a new neighborhood is difficult, because even with your epic skateboard moves, your friends aren’t there to cheer you on. “Why be Epic if no one can see?” His father tells Epic to keep an open mind and you’ll find new friends. So Epic tries football, soccer and basketball but he’s not interested in any of them. “Epic was not feeling it.”
But on one final trip to the bodega on his skateboard, where he is kickflippin’ and grinding, he doesn’t realize there are others watching him. “Sick moves, bro!” Epic has found his new crew.
Bright, vibrant illustrations with text interlaced with skateboarding slang.
3.5 Loved this book! Vibrant illustrations with lots of movement and life, clearly depicting a layered storyworld. The story arc flowed from neighborhood, to family, to self, back to family, and out to neighborhood again. The diverse representation of characters was pleasantly realistic while still being aspirational (two police officers join in the fun at the end). I docked a star and a half because, although I appreciate the use of onomonopia in books for children, that WITH heavily slangy syntax AND skateboarding terminology made the book clunky to read and unnecessarily difficult to understand without clues from the illustrations.
I am basing my rating primarily on what I think is one of the best-illustrated books I have seen. Frank Morrison's work is beautiful and inspiring. I almost think his words take away from the story of Epic. The story is good as it is about being yourself in the midst of a world that doesn't always see you. I really enjoyed the use of skateboarding to tell the story. I had a son who lived on a skateboard for a while when not many of his friends were doing it. We encouraged him to do what he wanted and skateboarding was his jam. I wish his life would have played out more like Epic's, but it doesn't change the message of doing your own thing. You will find your tribe.
Epic (the main character) will win your heart in this picture book! He moves to a new neighborhood and learns to make friends while at the same time being true to himself. The father encourages his son to "Be Great! Be Epic!" and to take his skateboard for a "last" trip. This trip creates a happy ending for Epic. A side note--I love how the author includes the term bodega, since this is not a word my students will hear where we live. Amazing artwork! I liked this book so much I added it the last book order until September. I am excited to share this book with my students in the fall!
Of course, Frank Morrison is a master, and this title is full of vitality. I love the different fonts and colors used for text that amplify the image and content. The dynamism of young Ivan, aka Epic, pours out of every page. The painting is alive, and the scenes scream freedom. The note from Frank (opposite the title page) verifies some of the feeling I get from looking over the illustration and trying to digest the story. There is a lot happening in this little boy's being. "Be you, be great."
I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. I'm not going to lie, I feel like this book was a little too "cool" or "hip" for me. Can I find a reader for this book-- 100% yes! I can see little boys digging this book. This book is all about being true to who you are and what you love to do. The artwork is stunning but the text often falls flat with someone that doesn't understand or regularly speak skateboard lingo. Overall a cool read that kids will get into, but us "older non-skateboarders" may just not be cool enough to get into it.
I have a whole new vocabulary after reading this book and I love that about it. The book is about a skater boi named Epic trying to make friends after moving to a new neighborhood. The story is first-person and Epic throws down a lot of skater terms that readers might not be familiar with but context and illustrations help fix that. I like the details like dad wearing a 1619 shirt and graffiti on walls and gum on the bottom of a shoe. The illustrations are epic.
What a fun book! This story of making new friends in a new place is amazing! First of all, the illustrations capture the story as they are so engaging. Epic is a marvelous skateboarder, but without a bunch of friends to ooh and ahh over his mad skills, he is not having much fun.
Every child faces a new student situation whether themselves in a new town or someone new moved in near them. This is a magnificent story and a first purchase for my two elementary libraries, for sure!
I’d not completely read this book before using it as a read aloud choice for Black History Month. It elevates Graffiti Art, AAVE examples are included, and Epic is not “just” Black, he’s Afrolatino. On top of everything Epic is a skater and I just don’t think there are that many picture books with Afrolatino kids skateboarding through beautifully mastered illustrations with Graffiti at the heart of them. I’d read it aloud again for sure! An epic choice!
Ivan is an amazing skater - so good that his parents call him Epic. When he moves to a new neighborhood, he misses his old crew. He considers giving up his kick flipping and big railing, but with a little encouragement from his parents, he makes new friends by continuing to be his Epic self.
Vibrantly and beautifully illustrated, don’t miss the note from author/illustrator Frank Morrison.
Kick Push is a picture book written and illustrated by Coretta Scott King Award Winning illustrator Frank Morrison. This work exudes the sight of corner store bodegas, the sounds of skateboards and basketballs, and the energy of a child making friends through a hobby that they enjoy. The drop-dead gorgeous artwork underscores Morrison’s vibrant debut as an author.
The book had so much cultural flavor and energy. The illustrations and onomatopeia combined to energize the story. It's basically about a boy who likes to skateboard. He moves to a new neighborhodd and is worried about making friends. His dad is awesome and he easily makes friends. Just being himself.
The illustrations really steal the show here, Morrison is excellent at portraying urban life, Black life, movement, joy.Epic is a delightful character to watch as he navigates his world on his trusty skateboard. I wished the text had had a bit more to it, but the messages about being yourself were strong and are always important to reiterate.
Fresh artwork full of action and saturated with vibrant color shows how Epic learns the value of being himself instead of seeking his worth in the eyes of other as he negotiates his place in a new neighborhood. Throwing down psycho big tricks without buddies watching isn’t so wak after all. Turns out his new crew was feeling his sick moves all along. Skater slang will be no sweat for skaters, though it might not land with some readers.
In his old neighborhood, Ivan is known as Epic for his skateboarding skills, but in his new neighborhood, no one skateboards. He tries other sports to fit in, but they aren't for him. It's better to just be yourself and those interested in that will come. Morrison's graffiti-style illustrations are a great complement for skateboarding. I wanted a glossary to explain the skateboarding terms more.