On the half-title page, we are treated to a quote from Nina Simone: "When I die...I'm gonnna know that I left something for [my people] to build on. That is my reward." This biography elegantly shows the progression of a woman bent on making a living through her music, to a woman bent on fighting … Continue reading Nina: A Story of Nina Simone – Perfect Picture Book Friday
For National Poetry Month, who better to feature than the marvelous, lyrical picture book author, Carole Boston Weatherford, writing about a woman whose songs are a perfect mix of poetry and heart, Aretha Franklin. Each couplet in this book is a poem that moves the story forward. B-L-E-S-S-E-DCradled by the church, rocked by an ebony … Continue reading R-E-S-P-E-C-T — Perfect Picture Book Friday
Victor Hugo Green was tired of hearing no.Victor loved the freedom of driving on the open road,but too often the road was closed to him. It was like thisfor most Black people in the United States.When he and his wife, Alma, traveled from New York to Virginia to visit family, they riskedgetting turned away, yelled … Continue reading Opening the Road – Perfect Picture Book Friday
Thinking quite a bit about the late 60s right now. So I'm pulling a book from my collection to feature this week, The story opens with an invitation: You are here. Let the map lead the way. Let the dove fly ahead. On the path. To the dream. To the words. And the songs. … Continue reading Martin & Mahalia – Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF
I've just spent some time reliving the first ten years of my childhood with the help of Deborah Wiles and the first two books of her stellar (and I mean STELLAR) 1960s trilogy. Although they feature middle grade age protagonists, I'd also say that these books would be instructive and interesting for high school and … Continue reading Countdown
Jilanne Hoffmann 