Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince

by Alliah L. Agostini, Shamar Knight-Justice (Illustrator)

Shane, a boy with big dancing dreams, learns the meaning of courage and community.

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Family, Childrens, African American, Fiction

40 pages, Hardcover

Published March 28, 2023

About the author

Buffalo, NY native Alliah L. Agostini has marketed everything from tampons to scrappy start-ups, but motherhood helped her return to her first love: children's literature. She writes to spread joy, truth, and to help more children see themselves reflected on the page.

Alliah is a member of KidLit in Color, Black Creators HQ, the Picture Book Sunrays, and SCBWI. She has been a guest on a number of podcasts, and has also been featured on CNN and in the Washington Post. Ms. Agostini resides in New Jersey where she enjoys impromptu dance parties, fossil hunting, and making up corny jokes with her husband and two children. She has an A.B. and an M.B.A. from Harvard.

Reviews

[Lissette Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opens with a nod to Jamaican singers, rappers and DJs, and immediately sets the tone for this big tune story! Then we meet Shane, a sweet boy with big plans and a fear of not being as good a dancer as his father—the dancehall king. Through rhythmic rhymes and beautiful, vibrant illustrations, young readers experience the cultural richness and dance style of a Jamaican American family. This beautiful story is about Black boy joy, discovering who you really are when you face your fears and selfless acts for the benefit of the community. I LOVED this book and highly recommend it!! Big Tune: The Rise of the Dancehall Prince belongs in all libraries!

[Miki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story and illustrations in this children's book are FANTASTIC! I loved the use of dialect and rhyming to engage you in Shane's story, and there were moments I wanted to blast some of my favourite 90s tunes, I'm looking at you Salt-N-Pepa ;)

I also love that this story has roots its in Jamaican traditions and culture that were prevelant with "immigrant communities" like the one that existed in "early 1990s Brooklyn, New York." There's a sense of community, wholesomeness, and love. It's full of positive messages like working hard and saving money and helping others!

Honestly, I think that every kid should have access to Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince in their library (school, local, home, etc...), and I will ABSOLUTELY be buying this for my nephew because this feels exactly like the kind of book that he should be exposed to. I love this story so much that I think I'm even going to buy it for myself, lol!

Please read this amazing children's book! And now, I'm off to see if this author has published other children's books.

[Physical, borrowed from library]

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 starts for this title celebrating Jamaican Dancehall with vibrant colors (I love the endpapers) - the only thing missing is a playlist or soundtrack!

I read a digital advanced reader's copy courtesy of the publisher

[Lolz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Music and dancing - two of life’s great joys! The art is interesting, almost like collage. The page of mix tapes at the beginning is very cool. Now gotta go listen to some Super Cat and Dj Kool Herc 🎶

[Rashmi Bismark · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much to love about this book! The joyous, rhythmic story and equally awesome illustrations will have you wishing for a dance party in a heartbeat! A beautiful reminder of the power of music, movement, and community. Perfect for every home and school library.

[MAYA QUARTZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 3 year old really loved this book!
We check out a few books from the library every other week- this was the first one he asked to read over and over again. The rhythm of the poetry writing style was soothing, and the pictures showed the story really well.

I think this one is a keeper! I’ll have to buy a copy for our permanent book collection.

[Alyssa Reynoso-Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! Alliah is amazingly talented. As a dance and music lover, this book brought me so much joy. It is a story about community, selflessness, sharing, music, dancing, overcoming shyness and so much more. How Alliah managed to incorporate so many themes so seamlessly and in RHYME!!! WHAT?!?! AMAZING!!! It is a masterpiece. I cannot wait to see what else Alliah has been up to.

[Tameka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Black joy--Jamaica style! Kids will love the cool vibe of this back-in-the day rhyming story, and have much respect for the entrepreneurial main character who ends up being the life of the party in more ways than one. Includes a lot of cultural details and the flyest endpapers. An excellent addition for both home and library collections!

[Kirstie Myvett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alliah Agostini’s Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince is poetic, lively and fun, and sure to make you want to tap your feet and wine your hips, along with vivid and detailed illustrations by Shamar Knight-Justice.

[Srividhya Venkat · Rating 5 out of 5]

BIG TUNE is a picture book AND a rap song. And that's why it is so much fun to read aloud - you can feel the rhythm and the movement through the words and captivating illustrations. 

Little Shane is shy to dance before everyone, but little do others know that -
"He dances when no one's around,
plays big tune and pumps the sound.
Running man, then hits a split!
Oh, this crowd can't handle it!!"

Shane has been collecting and selling empty cans to save money to get himself a pair of kicks. But when something happens and the community bashment is called off, he knows what he can do to bring everyone's spirits back up.

And when everyone praises him for his large heart, Shane's shyness vanishes, helping him reveal his own dancehall stance before all, and be who he really is.
A story of determination, selflessness, and finding joy in giving joy to one's community.

An author's note at the back provides more information about Jamaican dancehall, its origins, and how dancehall music has influenced American popular culture.
Did I mention how much I love the end papers with colorful old style cassette tapes?

A movin' groovin' book that is sure to captivate the hearts of readers of all ages...highly recommended!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shane and his family live in Brooklyn but they are from Jamaica. Every week, they have a bashment - a big music and dance celebration with Jamaican music and food. Shane loves to dance - his father is the dancehall king, after all. But he is very shy so he dances where no one can see him. During the bashments, he collects bottles and cans to turn in for money so he can buy a brand new pair of high tops - fancy kicks. He has been saving for almost a year! Then disaster strikes - the speaker is broken so there is no music. But Shane knows what to do! He runs to the appliance store and soon the party is back in full swing. In the meantime, Shane has lost his shyness and feels safe dancing with everyone else.
This is a great story celebrating Jamaican community and family. There are a lot of expressions that I did not know but it is easy to figure things out in context. Plus the author has added a note at the end to explain things.

This would be good to add to a music curriculum or studying different cultures. Also a good character study since Shane was willing to sacrifice his dream to help the community.

[Betsy Ellor · Rating 5 out of 5]

There will definitely be a dance party happening after you read this book. The lyrical writing tells the story of a shy boy who selflessly sacrifices the money he's been saving to keep the community dance party alive. In the process, he finds the courage to show the world his moves. Every page pops and snaps with rhythm. I love the deep connection of family and friends in this book. Kids will find it so empowering to see Shane, first working to save for a new pair of pump-up high tops, and later being the one to help his family. (Don't worry the community comes together to gather the money for the high tops. A great story from a great writer!

[Sally Wilsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun and interesting book. Done in rhyme featuring the main character Shane. Shane collected cans to save up for some pump shoes. Just when he has enough saved something comes up and he shows his generous nature and love for his community and heritage. I even learned that Ting was a sour grapefruit drink reading this book. At the back of the book in the end it gives a description and brief history of the Jamaican DanceHall and traditions of it. The illustrations wereT colorful and detailed and added alot to the story. This would be a nice bedtime or school storytime book as the rhyming will appeal to children.

[RaQia Lowo · Rating 5 out of 5]

BIG’up to the Alliah for creating this incredibly joyful read. The rhyming text accented with Jamaican flair and dancehall lyrics made me smile, reminisce, and even seat-dance a little. As I follow Shane, his family, and his community through the pages, the story never misses a beat.

Shamar's vivid illustrations are the perfect match for this lively story about a Jamaican boy finding a purpose bigger than his personal goal to help his family save the party and spread Caribbean pride and joy!

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shane is too shy to dance in front of others, but he’s a dance dynamo behind closed doors. He’s also busy picking up cans to save up money for high tops. When the speaker blows and Big Tune Saturday is in danger of not happening, Shane steps in to do the selfless and the daring. I loved the sense of community, giving, and joy in this book. The illustrations are vibrant and have unique patterns. There’s also an author’s note about the Jamaican community in Brooklyn and their music and dance heritage.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

High energy story about celebrating and dancing together every Saturday. Shane doesn't dance as he is busy gathering cans and bottles to earn the money for some special shoes. He is teased about not having rhythm but readers see him shine when he is alone. Shane has to make a tough decision and spends his money on a new amp so the dance parties can continue. He also finds his courage and joins the fun. Plus, they collect money so he can get his new shoes.
Vividly colored illustrations capture the energy and joy.

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

With upbeat, vibrant scenes and cool, lively collage elements, BIG TUNE: Rise of the Dancehall Prince is sure to floor readers of all ages for its irresistible rhythm and rhyme, immersive descriptions, and vibes and voice overflowing with pride and joy. This picture book is a masterful creation that highlights connecting and celebrating identity through music, Jamaican community and joy, taking pride in your culture, saving up for big goals, and the power of selfless acts. Tune into BIG TUNE—a truly lively and memorable ride!

[Grace Calvin]

Big Tune is a book about a young boy in a Caribbean American Neighborhood. This book is full of joy as well as educational material that helped me see into a culture I was not previously familiar with by showing a Jamaican community and how they connect with one-another. In this story, Shane also demonstrates selflessness, hard work, and saving money. Overall, this book would be awesome in any classroom as a window or mirror, to teach students about other cultures and traditions, and to teach students about the value of hard work, saving money, and helping others.

[Pam Vaughan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author - Allilah L. Agostini / Illustrator – Shamar Knight-Justice
This book is so upbeat and energizing with uplifting art!! A great story for kids that like to dance and those that don’t! I couldn’t help but smile throughout the entire story with Shane’s act of kindness, selflessness, and gained confidence with his dance moves. A wonderful story of family, community, generosity, and more! Teachers, librarians, and parents you’re going love this!

[Stacy Davids · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well-written, beautifully illustrated, fun-to-read aloud, brilliant picture book has fantastic themes – music, dancing, saving money for a goal, altruism, family cohesion, celebrating one’s culture, and pride in skin color. The main character wants to save money to buy new sneakers but decides to buy something else for the greater good of family and friends. The ending is very satisfying. Very highly recommended!

[Judine Agostini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a joy to read, it flows smoothly as it tells the story in a rhyming manner. It teaches and inspires children to set goals, sometimes you need to make changes but the change may be even more advantageous to your plan. With beautiful illustrations, the illustrator visually depicted the story with wonderful details. As you reread the story and view the illustration each time you’ll see and learn more about the characters.

[Valerie Bolling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so much fun! It’s about culture, family, and finding one’s place in both. I can feel the rhythm, the song, and the dancing in Alliah’s rhyming language with patois interspersed. Shamar’s illustrations are the perfect complement. I love that Shane, the main character, is willing to sacrifice the money he’s been saving to buy a pair of sneakers to make a purchase, so the party can go on! That may be the true sign of a Dance Hall Prince.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this lively family and community centric story of Shane, youngest in the family, who collects cans to cash in for money to buy a new pair of sneakers. From a family of dancers and singers who throw weekly house parties, Shane is too shy to dance anywhere but in his room. But as he gets close to his goal he dances on the street and when the family's speaker breaks it's Shane who has the solution. Fun rhyming text and great illustrations by Shamar Knight-Justice.

[Tori Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a sweet story of a young boy with a tight knit family who is saving his money for himself, but then spends it to bless his family instead! It's told in rhyme, but this doesn't take away from the story, instead underlining the musical culture of this family. The author would probably laugh at the way I, a very white lady, read some of the slang in this story, but I love the unashamed cultural celebration that this story brings.

[Gabriella Aldeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a whole VIBE!! Do yourself a favor and get every kid you know a ticket (I mean, book) for this party. What fun! An ode to music and family, this book is also about selflessness and overcoming shyness. You'll want to read this story-that's-more-than-a-story over and over again, like your favorite song.

[Laurie Carmody · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rhyming story feels like a song when read aloud. It jams, pumps, and dances along with each page turn. The illustrations are fun and full of emotional resonance - we feel the main character's need to belong as he tries to raise money for new sneakers. Such a heartfelt message of family and togetherness all wrapped up in a musical beat.

[Monica Acker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Tune is joyful! The words create an upbeat rhythm and the illustrations bounce off of the page. Big Tune is for the shy kid with big dreams and a big heart. The story will get littles dancing and the throwbacks like cassette tape endpapers are the perfect nod to the adult reading to them. Perfect for families and schools!

[Jill S · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s not to love about BIG TUNE?! Shane is the most adorable main character. He shows such generosity of spirit in this celebration of music and community. Alliah L. Agostini’s rhyming lyrical text and Shamar Knight-Justice’s masterful multi-media collage illustrations combine to create a joyful, rich journey for the reader. I think this book is a must-buy.

[Dorothy H. Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, writing a rhyming picture book is no easy fete. However, BIG TUNE got it right! This story takes readers on a journey with Shane who longs for something special, but ends up creating a special moment for all of his family and friends. Alliah’s text + Shamar’s stellar illustrations = a BIG TUNE win!

[Kaitlyn Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt the beat to the music with every page turn. Alliah did a wonderful job expressing the rhythm, urgency and fun on every page. Shamar's illustrations were a vibrant accompaniment to this feel-good story about hard work, sacrifice and kindness. "Brown skin shines with black light's glow" indeed!