A memorable life dedicated to music and civil rights, presented with commensurate style.
Twentieth-century racism tried hard to deny this great performer her voice—and failed.
Born into a distinguished African-American family, Horne was enrolled as an NAACP member at a young age. Despite her grandmother’s wishes but at her mother’s urging, she began to perform at the Cotton Club with Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway. She also appeared on Broadway with the Noble Sissle Society Orchestra. More performances followed—along with racism. When Hollywood called, Horne hoped to fight some of that racism “by refusing to play / maids and mammies.” The films Cabin in the Sky and Stormy Weather featured her stellar performances, but there was little else. Horne never forgot her roots, though, and sang for black troops during World War II. She also sang at the Lincoln Memorial on Aug. 28, 1963. On TV, Kermit the Frog was one of her partners. Recognition, honors, and awards were showered on Horne, who left a strong legacy. “Because Lena refused / to darken rear doors, / black stars now gleam / on red carpets / and reap box-office gold.” Weatherford’s writing is succinct and inspirational. Zunon’s oil paint and cut-paper–collage illustrations are more than a match for Horne’s dynamic onstage presence. Their dramatic design showcases a woman of great beauty and extraordinary talent.
A memorable life dedicated to music and civil rights, presented with commensurate style. (bibliography, further reading, listening, and viewing) (Picture book/biography. 7-10)Pub Date: Jan. 24, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-4814-6824-4
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Oct. 18, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2016
The legions of fans who over the years have enjoyed dePaola’s autobiographical picture books will welcome this longer gathering of reminiscences. Writing in an authentically childlike voice, he describes watching the new house his father was building go up despite a succession of disasters, from a brush fire to the hurricane of 1938. Meanwhile, he also introduces family, friends, and neighbors, adds Nana Fall River to his already well-known Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs, remembers his first day of school (“ ‘ When do we learn to read?’ I asked. ‘Oh, we don’t learn how to read in kindergarten. We learn to read next year, in first grade.’ ‘Fine,’ I said. ‘I’ll be back next year.’ And I walked right out of school.”), recalls holidays, and explains his indignation when the plot of Disney’s “Snow White” doesn’t match the story he knows. Generously illustrated with vignettes and larger scenes, this cheery, well-knit narrative proves that an old dog can learn new tricks, and learn them surpassingly well. (Autobiography. 7-9)
Pub Date: April 1, 1999
ISBN: 0-399-23246-X
Page Count: 58
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1999
Abigail Adams, wife and mother of American presidents, with a remarkable story of her own, gets a rather dull introduction to her life in Wallner's (Sergio and the Hurricane, 2000, etc.) picture-book biography. Wallner's text plods through Abigail's life, noting important dates and events, particularly the birth of all her children. Abigail supports her husband in his fight for independence at home, where she runs the family farm and manages the finances and her growing family. She also joins Adams in England when he is ambassador there. Later, she becomes the first president's wife to live in the White House. Abigail is shown as a strong woman, disappointed in her efforts to win a place for women and blacks in the new Constitution. Readers learn about Abigail's thoughts and personality as she matures from child to adult, from homemaker to public figure, but unfortunately we do not hear more than a few phrases in Abigail's own voice. Abigail, who is known through her many published letters, was a lively and interesting correspondent and little of that liveliness permeates this effort. The author's folkart-style illustrations depict a homely group of colonialists in pleasantly colorful detail. A timeline and bibliography would have been helpful to young researchers. This intelligent, early feminist and civil-rights advocate deserves better. (Biography. 8-10)
Pub Date: March 15, 2001
ISBN: 0-8234-1442-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2001
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