Somebody to Love

Baby Banjolele iGrammy nominated artist Valerie June says that her children's book Baby Banjolele is about how she wrote the song "Somebody to Love" from her album Pushin' Against a Stone. In the book, kid-age Valerie is given a toy banjolele. Valerie practices and practices. Tries to join a band. They don't want her. She tries to get her banjolene to sing. The toy only coughs a tune. Not even her family likes its song. But "I have a dream, and I want to sing," the toy will not give up, until finally "Growing afraid of being tossed out, the toy had finally coughed up the last bit of dust and belted out a gorgeous a song." Valerie names the banjolene Baby. Baby and Valerie would perform together forever: "From that day forward, they loved to hear The Baby sing because her voice reminded them to never give up and to follow their dreams." Valerie and The Baby found each other and both achieved their dreams. Valerie the adult says of her banjolele: "As I traveled the world telling the story of my banjolele, I always knew it would make an uplifting children's book. It wasn't until I got a call from the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities that I was encouraged to sit down and write it out.  One of the nation's most historical dreamers is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  As a black female artist, his message taught me the power of dreams at an early age.  He was a light for me.  Each time I've shared this story with students, I watch as their eyes light up with wonder.  It's been thrilling to witness that same light awakening within them. " It's only fitting that a book about a child finding her dream and love ends with a suggested assignment for the reader: "Believing you can achieve your dream is a way to be an inspiration for your community. From America to Tibet, every country and culture has a proverb or saying that is powerful for encouraging people to dream big. Having a quote to remember is a way to stay focused on your goals for any dream you might have, large or small. Can you memorize one of the quotes below?

Everyone who is successful, must have dreamed of something.

Native American Proverb

If I tell you my dream, you might forget it. If I act on my dream, perhaps you will remember it, but if I involve you, it becomes your dream too.

Tibetan Proverb

Thoughts and dreams are the foundation of our being.

Nigerian Proverb

Dreams are voices of ancestors.

African Proverb

Having a goal is just a dream with a deadline.

African Proverb

The beautiful is less what one sees than what one dreams.

Belgian Proverb

Dreams are wishes your heart makes.

American Proverbs the remarkable story in words and illustrations