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Cesaria Feels the Beat
In this powerful and inspiring picture book, a deaf girl stands up for herself and takes off her shoes while dancing at her Carnival performance so she can feel the music through her bare feet.
Cesaria is going to perform for the seaside Carnival. She skips past the beach barefoot, dressed in her favorite peacock leotard.
But when her dance director tells her she must put on her shoes to go on stage, Cesaria signs, “Peacocks don’t wear shoes!”
You see, Cesaria hears the music through the soles of her feet, but no one seems to understand…
…That is, until all the dancers take off their shoes, and learn to feel the music, just like Cesaria.
Cesaria Feels the Beat is a lyrical and heartfelt story about deafness, community, and Carnival.
Cesaria is going to perform for the seaside Carnival. She skips past the beach barefoot, dressed in her favorite peacock leotard.
But when her dance director tells her she must put on her shoes to go on stage, Cesaria signs, “Peacocks don’t wear shoes!”
You see, Cesaria hears the music through the soles of her feet, but no one seems to understand…
…That is, until all the dancers take off their shoes, and learn to feel the music, just like Cesaria.
Cesaria Feels the Beat is a lyrical and heartfelt story about deafness, community, and Carnival.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published June 4, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 7, 2024
This was a nice story about a girl who is deaf and is taking part in a performance at Carnival. Her teacher is not trying to accommodate her need to dance barefoot so she can feel the music. But Cesaria takes matters into her own hands and stands up for herself.
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June 30, 2024About deaf culture. Beautifully illustrated.
September 9, 2024
This book focuses on Cesaria, a Deaf girl who is about to perform at the seaside Carnival. As she gets ready in her peacock costume, she ins informed by the dance lead that she must wear her shoes. However, her shes prevent her from "feeling" the beat of the music and being able to move to the beat. Cesaria fleas the group before the performance, but once found insits on the fact that she cannot wear her shoes --peacocks don't wear shoes either. After given one last chance to wear the shoes, she acquieces and miserably puts them on, but feels nothing. Moments after being on stage, she encourages her troup to remov their shoes and "feel".
I appreciated the representation of a Black child who is Deaf and I liked that they showed her having moments of joy and not only enjoying but also partiipating in Carnival. However, I did not like that nobody was there to support her through this experience and that nobody apologized to her at the end for not realizing that being barefoot was beneficial to her and helped her perform. I know life isn't perfect and a lot of times people do not apologize for these oversights --but I would love to see it as I think that is how we should interact when we make a mistake.
I appreciated the representation of a Black child who is Deaf and I liked that they showed her having moments of joy and not only enjoying but also partiipating in Carnival. However, I did not like that nobody was there to support her through this experience and that nobody apologized to her at the end for not realizing that being barefoot was beneficial to her and helped her perform. I know life isn't perfect and a lot of times people do not apologize for these oversights --but I would love to see it as I think that is how we should interact when we make a mistake.
June 10, 2024
Cesaria Feels the Beat is a heartwarming story about a young girl who experiences music through feeling. When no one seems to understand her need to feel the rhythm, she learns to find her own voice, and in doing so, invites others to experience her world. Denise Adusei's beautiful, lyrical text pairs perfectly with Priscilla Soares's vibrant and emotion-filled illustrations. With themes of deafness, self-advocacy, and the importance of inclusivity and understanding, Cesaria Feels the Beat is a must-read for all!
September 17, 2024
Cesaria can't hear but she can feel the rhythm through her feet. Unfortunately her teacher and classmates don't realize this. Cesaria is true to herself though, and eventually convinces her classmates that they too must feel the beat. Although Cesaria's deafness is central to the story, the plot focuses on Cesaria's insistence that the peacocks the class portray don't wear shoes. The author and illustrator notes make it clear that this story is about deafness and deaf kids being able to see themselves in stories.
June 17, 2024
CESARIA FEELS THE BEAT is a poetic celebration of music, dance, and individuality. There’s poetry in both the words and the images. Cesaria, a beautiful young Deaf girl, feels the music through her feet. What will Cesaria do when the show director insists she wear shoes for the performance at Carnival? Watch and read as Cesaria asserts herself in this celebration of music, dance, individuality, and so much more…
July 29, 2024
This is the outstanding result when both parties - Author, Denise Rosario Adusei AND Illustrator, Priscila Soares - are invested in the subject and story.
This is a story about the "Barefoot Diva," Cesaria Evora, a deaf singer who feels the beat of the music by dipping her feet into the sand / mud around her.
Beautifully illustrated, this story shows that you don't have to hear the music to FEEL the rhythms around you.
This is a story about the "Barefoot Diva," Cesaria Evora, a deaf singer who feels the beat of the music by dipping her feet into the sand / mud around her.
Beautifully illustrated, this story shows that you don't have to hear the music to FEEL the rhythms around you.
September 24, 2024
Cesaria Feels the Beat features stunning illustrations, especially of the kids' peacock costumes, with some integration of signing (that left me wanting more) created by a hearing-impaired artist with a deaf child.
The story beautifully highlights self-advocacy, showcasing Cesaria standing up for her needs. However, I wish her dance teacher had been more informed about how to support her success.
Overall, a recommended picture book.
The story beautifully highlights self-advocacy, showcasing Cesaria standing up for her needs. However, I wish her dance teacher had been more informed about how to support her success.
Overall, a recommended picture book.
June 30, 2024
What a wonderful story about sensory feelings and sticking to what you believe in. I love the main character and her personality, how she finds HER way to feel and listen to the beat. The illustrations are wonderful and energetic to give us a sense of what Cesaria is feeling. I highly recommend this book to learn about perseverance, agency, and culture.
July 7, 2024
Cesaria is set to perform at the seaside Carnival. While others listen to the music, Cesaria feels the beat through her feet. When the director insists everyone must wear shoes for the grand performance, Cesaria insists peacocks don't wear shoes and signs NO. Instead she invites others to experience her world by taking off their shoes and listening to the rhythm through their feet.
August 9, 2024
A little girl teaches others how to respect her way of being in the world by kicking off her dancing shoes to move to the music only she can hear, leading other dancers to do the same as they engage in their best Carnival performance as barefoot divas. Bold illustrations bring out the beautiful blues of the girls’ peacock costumes and a world full of extraordinary vibrations that only some can innately sense. The Author’s and Illustrator’s notes include helpful information about deafness, hearing loss, and relating with the deaf community.
September 30, 2024
3.5 stars. Cesaria feels the beat of the music through her feet. She is deaf but is part of a dance group that will perform at Carnival. One problem, though. The beautiful peacock costume includes shoes that prevent Cesaria from feeling the music. Bright illustrations and a sweet story create a delightful read.
June 22, 2024
I loved the illustrations, the story, and the author's note.
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August 6, 2024Cool & representational!
I liked that both the author & illustrator had notes about their experiences
I liked that both the author & illustrator had notes about their experiences
August 7, 2024
This is the third picture book that I've read this year that features a deaf/hard of hearing main character and I'm so happy to see it!
August 18, 2024
Picture book about a deaf girl, feels music through her body.
September 3, 2024
More disability representation like this, please! I love the joyful emphasis on music, dancing, and celebration and the intersectionality of Cesaria.
September 13, 2024
A lovely story with beautiful illustrations!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews