A compelling celebration of Eleanor Roosevelt that will inspire children to follow in her footsteps.
“Candid. Compassionate. Courageous."
Eleanor Roosevelt comes alive in this energetic depiction of her experiences and accomplishments. Lively textual description portrays her empathy, intelligence, pragmatism, warmth, and humor while dynamic illustrations give a sense of Roosevelt’s exuberance and sincere dedication to helping those who were struggling. Beginning just before her husband’s inauguration, the plot then flashes back to her childhood and moves forward to her achievements as an adult, providing a sense of her formative experiences and tying them to the beliefs she developed and acted on in later life. The text takes care to mention the time she spent developing relationships with the people she sought to help as well as the unique role she played as first lady and partner to FDR, providing advice, knowledge, and information throughout his political career. Though her family life is mentioned, the emphasis here is on the work she did for others: investigating prisons, hospitals, and asylums; helping FDR’s government “serve the good of the people” (her words, quoted by Kerley); fighting for equality and against discrimination; and her participation in UNICEF and the U.N. Fotheringham includes people of color in some scenes illustrating his White protagonist’s civil rights work and outreach. Endnotes showcase an impressive array of photos and provide a framework for young readers to bring about positive change themselves.
A compelling celebration of Eleanor Roosevelt that will inspire children to follow in her footsteps. (photos, questions for reflection, source notes) (Picture book/biography. 5-10)Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2020
ISBN: 978-0-545-82612-9
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Aug. 31, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2020
Blandly inspirational fare made to evoke equally shrink-wrapped responses.
An NBA star pays tribute to the influence of his grandfather.
In the same vein as his Long Shot (2009), illustrated by Frank Morrison, this latest from Paul prioritizes values and character: “My granddad Papa Chilly had dreams that came true,” he writes, “so maybe if I listen and watch him, / mine will too.” So it is that the wide-eyed Black child in the simply drawn illustrations rises early to get to the playground hoops before anyone else, watches his elder working hard and respecting others, hears him cheering along with the rest of the family from the stands during games, and recalls in a prose afterword that his grandfather wasn’t one to lecture but taught by example. Paul mentions in both the text and the backmatter that Papa Chilly was the first African American to own a service station in North Carolina (his presumed dream) but not that he was killed in a robbery, which has the effect of keeping the overall tone positive and the instructional content one-dimensional. Figures in the pictures are mostly dark-skinned. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Blandly inspirational fare made to evoke equally shrink-wrapped responses. (Picture book. 6-8)Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-250-81003-8
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Review Posted Online: Sept. 27, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
A work whose lyrical and artistic genius only becomes more apparent upon rereads.
A journey through American music history as shaped by Black artists and traditions.
Fittingly, given the U.S.’s long and complicated racial history, this work takes its title from the beloved hymn “Amazing Grace,” written by a slave trader turned abolitionist. The book begins on the African plains: “Listen to the fireside chorus / of the motherland / to the talking drums / dancing beneath the gold sun / that beat a bold tapestry / of yesterday’s stories / and tomorrow’s dreams.” Likewise, the author has created a beautiful tapestry, woven with song titles and musical references. With each introduction to a different genre, he implores readers to “listen.” Laced with powerful imagery, alliteration, and onomatopoeia (“BUM-DUN! BUM-DUN!”), his verse begs to be sung. Taking a comprehensive approach, Alexander explores regional styles such as go-go alongside internationally known genres, including gospel, jazz, and hip-hop. Palmer’s distinctive illustrations offer the perfect accompaniment. Bold colors set the mood, while his brush strokes evoke movement and convey strong emotion as he depicts everything from enslaved people joyfully dancing in New Orleans’ Congo Square to fists raised high for Black power to performances by Chuck Berry, Prince, Lauryn Hill, and other musicians. Detailed backmatter defines terms and explains the significance of the music referenced.
A work whose lyrical and artistic genius only becomes more apparent upon rereads. (Informational picture book. 5-10)Pub Date: Jan. 14, 2025
ISBN: 9780316442497
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Little, Brown
Review Posted Online: Oct. 12, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2024
SEEN & HEARD
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