A child-friendly exploration of a landmark moment in civil rights history.
Activist Bridges shares her memories of the elementary teacher who taught her when no one else would.
Young Ruby’s looking forward to the beginning of second grade. Last year, in 1960, she became the first Black student to attend William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans; because so many parents pulled their children out of school in protest, she was the only child in her class. She’s excited about recent changes at school: This year, she’s no longer the only Black student, and she has classmates, too. But her teacher, Mrs. Henry, is nowhere to be found; Ruby has a new teacher and classroom. For 35 long years, Ruby wonders what happened to Mrs. Henry and harbors questions about her experiences. When her work as a published author makes a reunion with Mrs. Henry possible, she finally gets answers to her many questions. Though somewhat dry and a bit clunky in places, the text offers a comprehensible account of integration and the impact it had on Bridges. Softly hued digital illustrations capture Bridges’ confusion as she searches for Mrs. Henry in the school halls. The book ends with an author’s note in which Bridges expresses her hope that her memories will inspire a greater appreciation of teachers; she also includes a glossary of famous educators, which feels a bit tacked on.
A child-friendly exploration of a landmark moment in civil rights history. (Picture-book memoir. 5-8)Pub Date: Jan. 7, 2025
ISBN: 9781338753943
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Orchard/Scholastic
Review Posted Online: Nov. 9, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2024
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 brief but sweet snapshot of an inspiring girl who finds hope in song.
Through the power of music, Lucimarian Tolliver is reminded of what’s important.
Lucy is one of the only children of African descent on her block—called Lucy Street—in 1930s Akron, Ohio, but all her neighbors share one commonality: poverty. Lucy’s carefree spirit is dampened when her family’s furniture is repossessed one day. She visits her grandfather, who comforts her by singing the folk standard “This Little Light of Mine.” Grandpa tells Lucy that she’s destined for greatness and that she should never stop singing, even through life’s toughest moments. Back at home, Lucy’s father scolds her for singing at the dinner table, so she quickly finishes eating and wanders outside and sings into the night. Her voice reaches her family and neighbors, who are all touched by her song. Digital illustrations evoke the time period in muted tones, featuring endearing characters with simple yet expressive features. The visual subject matter is repetitive from page to page, as are the incorporated lyrics of “This Little Light of Mine.” Based on Lucimarian Tolliver’s experiences growing up during the Depression, the text contains an epilogue but lacks backmatter detailing historical context or more information about Lucy’s life. Though the themes of optimism and the importance of family, faith, and music shine through the text, readers may be left with more questions than answers.
A brief but sweet snapshot of an inspiring girl who finds hope in song. (Picture-book biography. 5-7)Pub Date: May 20, 2025
ISBN: 9780063222540
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 22, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2025
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