Welcome to the Cypher

Khodi Dill, illustrated by Awuradwoa Afful

Image | Welcome to the Cypher

(Annick Press)

Words burn bright in this joyful celebration of rap, creativity, and self-expression.
"Welcome to the cypher!
Now huddle up nice and snug.
You feel that circle around you?
Well, that's a hip hop hug!"
Starting with beatboxes and fingersnaps, an exuberant narrator introduces kids in his community to the powerful possibilities of rap, from turning "a simple phrase/into imagery that soars" to proclaiming, "this is a voice that represents me!" As Khodi Dill's rhymes heat up, the diverse crew of kids—illustrated in Awuradwoa Afful's bold, energetic style—gain self-confidence and a sense of freedom in this wonderful picture book debut that is perfect for reading aloud. (From Annick Press)
Khodi Dill is a Bahamian-Canadian educator writer of everything from rap songs to children's literature based in Saskatoon.
Awuradwoa Afful is a Ghanaian-Canadian designer, illustrator and animator based in Toronto.

From the book

Image | Welcome to the Cypher by Khodi Dill, illustrated by Awuradwoa Afful

Caption: A book page from Welcome to the Cypher by Khodi Dill, illustrated by Awuradwoa Afful. (Annick Press)