Turntable
Timmy answers the call for teachers and parents alike for books
written in a hip-hop format. "In 2002 urban youth—regardless
of race—have no frame of reference for Spot, Jane and
Dick," says author Michael Perry. Instead, Turntable Timmy
speaks to children in a language and visual medium they understand
and embrace as their own. Stanton’s Director of Sales
Henri Cohen relates, “Turntable Timmy will appeal to
all DJs who have kids, because it’s the only children’s
book about becoming a turntable champion. And many DJs will
want the book simply as a collector’s item.”
Turntable
Timmy is the story of a boy determined to hip-hop his way into
becoming the world's youngest turntable Deejay champion. He
realizes, in order to achieve his dream he must first: "Put
in work, day and night, practice makes perfect, gotta get it
right. Hard work and dedication—perfection takes practice,
now he's quick like a fox, sharp as a cactus."
This kinetic
rap-rhyming tale of self-motivation is sure to move both body
and mind. Simultaneously, it plants the seeds of self-esteem
and positive aspirations in the heart of every listener. Readers
will have a hip-hop-till-they-drop good time, as they discover
along with Timmy that the key to ultimate success is through
perseverance, commitment, and dedication.
The book’s
illustrator Doug Cunningham has been recognized as a pioneer
in the West Coast graffiti art scene since 1984. In 2001, his
artwork captivated critics and filmgoers at the Sundance Film
Festival with the release of the first ever-animated skratch
movie, Wave Twisters (Thud Rumble Inc). Doug now resides in
Brooklyn, N.Y. This is his first children's book. Michael Perry
is an acclaimed writer of children's fiction. His first book
for young readers, Daniel's Ride, was awarded the 2002 Latino
Literary Hall of Fame award for Best Children's Picture Book.
One of hip-hop
culture’s foremost journalists, Billy Jam, wrote of Turntable
Timmy: "Young parents finally have a cool book that can
educate and entertain the next generation of DJs." And
Bookpaper applauds Turntable Timmy as "a groundbreaking
new picture book, teaching urban children about perseverance,
commitment, and dedication in the hip-hop language they can
relate to." The San Francisco Chronicle writes that Perry's
books give children "The message and the vehicle. He [Perry]
is not naive enough to think his books are a panacea, only
a seed. And who wouldn't want to plant a few seeds?"
