Beautiful biographies help illustrate Black History Month for children
February 15, 2008
by Carol Birch
An exciting trend in children’s books is the publication of lavishly illustrated biographies. Gone are the dreary treatments and fictionalized biographies of my childhood. During Black History Month, books about well-known figures like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Ruby Bridges fly off the shelves. At the library children also can meet other amazing - yet unheralded - women and men of good will who transformed divided worlds.
In “Delivering Justice: W. W. Law and the Fight for Civil Rights,” James Haskins tells the story of U.S. postal carrier Westley Wallace Law who became a catalyst in the Great Savannah Boycott that brought equality through nonviolence three years before the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
In “Dizzy,” Jonah Winter’s writing mimics a trumpet’s highs and lows to show how a horn transformed the life of John Birks Gillespie. Gillespie harnessed his rage and unorthodox ways to become Dizzy, the influential creator of bebop.
“John Lewis in the Lead,” by Jim Haskins, celebrates the life of a Senator from Georgia and living legend who “was born at a time when the winds of change were blowing, just waiting for someone to catch them and hold on long enough for everyone to feel the breeze.”
Wendy Towle tells the story of Elijah McCoy, who may have been “The Real McCoy.” McCoy was born in 1844 and patented over 50 inventions. His most famous was the automatic oil cup, which remains standard equipment on locomotives and heavy machinery to this day.
“Vision of Beauty: The Story of Sarah Breedlove Walker,” by Kathryn Lasky, offers a compelling role model to girls of any race. Orphaned at 7, Ms. Walker pioneered in hair and beauty care products for black women. She achieved unprecedented economic power and independence in early 20th century America, and the richer she became, the more she gave back.
Remember, when choosing a biography, you need to consider who wrote the book as well as the person featured; mediocre authors can ruin any topic. We’re here to help you find the best of both! For example, the text of “When Marian Sang,” by Pam Munoz, is as moving as a libretto and the illustrations by Caldecott medalist Brian Selznick are designed like a stage set. Here Ms. Anderson’s grace is echoed in text and illustrations that beautifully expand what a “picture book” biography can be.
For more great biographies, visit the Chappaqua Library or go to the website: http://www.chappaqualibrary.org.
Carol Birch is the Head of Services to Children at the Chappaqua Public Library
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