Illustrated by Jonny Sun
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Two famous people worked together to bring us this book. First, there is Lin-Manuel Miranda, best known for creating and starring in the Broadway smash hit, Hamilton. In the opening of the book he tells us of his desire to wish his fans a good morning and a good night and how he started to use Twitter to do so. He did not have a book of quotes he wished to choose from and tweet, but instead, whatever he was wishing for himself, he wished for his readers. Thus, he wrote “relax” when he was nervous, and “cheer up” when he was blue.
After posting such greetings for years, his fans told him that his tweets had saved the day for them and requested he create a book. He did so by partnering with his Twitter friend, Jonathan Sun (also known as Jonny and Jomny), who is a best-selling author and illustrator, not to mention a screen and TV writer as well.
My son is also a Jonny Sun “friend” through Twitter. Thanks to my son, I read and enjoyed Jonny’s earlier book, Everyone’s a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too. Additionally, it is my son who recently brought a copy of Gmorning, Gnight! into my life as a birthday gift.
In spite of the fact that this book is 200 pages long, it is a very quick read. Each two-page spread has a “Gmorning” greeting and a “Gnight” written by Lin-Manuel plus a simple black and white drawing created by Jonny to illustrate the concept expressed. Here is an example now.
Good morning.
I believe in you.
Not always in our leaders,
not always in the subway schedules,
but always in you.
You, unwavering.
Good night.
I believe in you.
Not always in our institutions,
not always in my own strength,
but always in you.
You, evergreen.
As you can see from the photo, these words are pleasingly arranged on the page, and beautifully framed by evergreen branches.
I close this review with those branches in mind. This book is not new. It was published in 2018, but all of the sentiments expressed are evergreen – meaningful then, now, and into the future.
As it turns out, reading the book can be an evergreen experience too. I read it from cover to cover the first time. Now I tend to open it to any page on any given day to see what pep talk the “universe” is sending me thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jonny Sun.
There you have it. The book’s a gift that keeps on giving! A perfect birthday present from my son!
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Click here to learn more about Gmorning, Gnight! on Amazon.
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If you like my writing, did you know I have four books in print? They are all available on my Etsy shop. My newest book, Love, Loss, and Moving On, is also available on Amazon. Please have a look and tell a friend!
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