RESPECT

The text of Redding’s famous song (made more so by Aretha Franklin) is laid out against illustrations of diverse families.

In this volume of the LyricPop series, the lyrics of “Respect” are printed in lines of alternating colors, with backup (“just a little bit,” “Ooh,” “re re re re...,” etc.) printed in speech bubbles. The top half of each spread depicts adults enacting various careers, such as education, military, science, construction, and medicine, while the bottom half pictures children playing at the same career seen above. The same Black family is featured on each page while diverse characters fill in extra roles. The illustrations carry enough interest to sustain attention through the end of the book, though it will take some practice—or dedication to sharing the song—for caregivers and children to pace the reading/singing with the page turns. Three other series entries publish simultaneously: Move the Crowd (by Eric Barrier and William Griffin and illustrated by Kirk Parrish), with rap lyrics poetic enough to be read aloud without the awkward decision whether to sing or speak; These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ (by Lee Hazelwood and illustrated by Rachel Moss), in which a cat gets jealous when her human gets a dog; and We Got the Beat (by Charlotte Caffey and illustrated by Kaitlyn Shea O’Connor), in which a couple kids and some flamingos romp to bubble-gum backgrounds. Average families may not know how to enjoy these titles, but musical families will.

Best for the biggest fans.