THE BABY IN THE NEWS

Grammy®-nominated musician and children’s book author Valerie June as she discusses the origins of her new book, Somebody to Love: The Story of Valerie June’s Sweet Little Baby Banjolele. Valerie is joined on stage by the National Director of Turnaround Arts Holly Bass and illustrator Marcela Avelar to discuss the inspiration behind the book.

-Kennedy Center

This is the story of an old friend, maybe my oldest friend: Inspiration. As children, we stopped time together. We would draw, play games, write stories, dance and dream. Sometimes we would just stare at the ceiling and imagine new things.

-Newsweek

We are happy to have songwriter, singer, 5-string banjo player, and banjo uke player Valerie June back on Deering Live. Joining her on Deering Live will be Marcela Avelar who created the illustrations in the book. Marcela is a fantastic artist, designer, and more.

-Deering Banjos

Childless at age 40, I may never become a grandmother, but I'm grateful to have had one of the best grandmothers a child could ever dream of knowing. Gran passed this summer at the age of 96. I was lucky to visit her several times between tour dates, to hold her hand and say goodbye.

-Newsweek

As a part of our interview series with leaders, stars, and rising stars in the music industry, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Valerie June.

–Authority Magazine

Somebody to Love: The Story of Valerie June's Sweet Little Baby Banjolele by Valerie June and illustrated by Marcela Avelar

Third Man Books 2022

"Somebody to Love" performed and written by Valerie June

–OfficialTMR

“An inspiring tale – with brightly colored, vivid images covering each page – about finding your voice and having the confidence to dream big.”

-Rebellious Magazine

We’re excited to announce singer-songwriter Valerie June as the keynote presenter at the 35th annual Folk Alliance International Conference! The live, in-person presentation will take place on Thursday, February 2, 2023, at the Westin Crown Center Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri.

-Folk Alliance International

As a part of our series about “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became An Artist” I had the pleasure of interviewing Marcela Avelar.

–Authority Magazine

We are so pleased to bring you two Giving Tuesday Charity Banjos for 2022! Near and dear to our hearts this year they will be benefitting education! We have brought together members of the banjo community, Valerie June and the Henhouse Prowlers to collaborate on and bring you these special banjos.

–Deering Banjos

In the book, a young aspiring musician, Valerie, is given a toy banjolele. A banjolele is a very unique four-stringed musical instrument. It has a body like a small banjo, and the neck is like a ukulele.

-Hasty Book List

Somebody to Love: The Story of Valerie June’s Sweet Little Baby Banjolele, published by Third Man Books. The book, illustrated by Marcela Avelar, is based on the story of how June wrote the song “Somebody to Love” from her 2013 Pushin’ Against a Stone album.

–No Depression

Thank you @wunderbookspr for the gifted copy of ‘Somebody to Love: The Story of Valerie June’s Sweet Little Banjolele by Valerie June. This book came out on November 1, 2022.

–Woven From Words

Grammy-nominated songwriter and performer Valerie June has announced a new set of 2022 tour dates, along with the release of a new children’s book.

–American Songwriter

June will read excerpts beginning at 2 p.m. followed by the book signing. Books will be available for sale at the event.

–Radio 731/Froggy 104

With rollicking rhymes and magical illustrations, a young musician and her baby banjolele learn to face their doubts and find their voices.

–The Reading Lists (Medium)

As we head into the holiday season, there are and impressive number of diverse children's books coming our way. There are books that represent a variety of communities and cultures.

–Helping Kids Rise

In the book, a young aspiring musician, Valerie, is given a toy banjolele. A banjolele is a very unique four-stringed musical instrument. It has a body like a small banjo, and the neck is like a ukulele.

–Good News A Podcast

The Grammy-nominated musician wrote her first children’s book “Somebody to Love: The Story of Valerie June’s Sweet Little Baby Banjolele”

–BLAC Magazine

Valerie June will have her first children’s book published later this year. Somebody to Love: The Story of Valerie June’s Sweet Little Baby Banjolele is to be released via Jack White’s Third Man Books.

–uDiscover Music

Accomplished multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Valerie June is set to publish her first children's book. Somebody to Love: The Story of Valerie June’s Sweet Little Baby Banjolele will be released via Jack White's Third Man Books later this year.

-The Boot