AND SHE WAS LOVED

An acclaimed writer pays homage to a literary icon.

Toni Morrison was born Chloe Ardelia Wofford to a loving family in Lorain, Ohio. Their home teemed with stories and spirituals, fueling her passion for words. Chloe was the only Black girl in her class and the first to read. When she grew up and went away to Howard University, she changed her first name to Toni; an avid student, she was at last surrounded by other Black scholars. Her post-college career saw her connect with Black writers; as an editor, she helped them usher their work into the world. She worked on her own stories, eventually publishing her groundbreaking first novel, The Bluest Eye. Throughout her career, Morrison’s love for her people placed their lived experiences within the tapestry of the human narrative. This free verse ode is more than a biography; it’s a tribute to the power of the literary life and community. Pinkney’s choice to echo the phrase “and she was loved” is a dramatic way of highlighting the encouragement and support Morrison received—which she gave back through her stories. In a moving essay in the backmatter, Pinkney discusses in more detail why Morrison’s legacy matters. Minter’s evocative illustrations pair perfectly with the lyrical text; saturated depictions of his subject contrast with silhouettes and outlined images of young people dancing and playing—a reminder of that rich community in which Morrison blossomed.

A potent example of the reach of artistic genius.