The Life and Language of Beloved Writer Toni Morrison
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Quill Tree Books
(Harper Collins Publishers)
(pub. 4.2.2024)
48 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Author: Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Khalif Tahir Thompson
Character: Toni Morrison
Overview:
" How do you tell a story?
Before Toni Morrison was a Pulitzer Prize winner and Nobel Prize–winning author, she was Chloe Ardelia Wofford, a little girl in Ohio who was both the only Black child in her first-grade classroom and the only student who was able to read.
This is the true story of how that young girl learned from her upbringing, surrounded herself with stories, and made a tremendous impact on the world. Toni Morrison’s pen was her sword, and she grew to be a titan of the arts. Her legacy is one that still touches readers to this day."
Tantalizing taste:
"Before long, you join in telling stories
and fall under the spell of the spoken word.
You so love language that by first grade,
you - the sole Black student in the room -
are the only one who can read. All by yourself.
No one can call you second-class.
That means a lot at a time when laws and leaders
keep Blacks at the bottom of the ladder."
And something more: Carole Boston Weatherford shared in the Author's Note: "In 1979, I took my first trip to California. At a bookstore in Berkeley, I bought The Black Book... Never before had I seen such a wealth of Black culture in one place, let alone between the covers of a book...I have read and studied many of Toni Morrison's novels, and I consider her a literary mentor. However, it was not until I wrote this biography that I realized she also conceived The Black Book. For that, I am eternally grateful."
A Story About Artist Agnes Martin
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Cameron Kids
(Abrams)
(pub.1.30.2024)
40 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Author: Henry Martin
Illustrator: Shelley Hampe
Character: Agnes Martin
Overview :
"Like her contemporary Georgia O’Keeffe, Agnes was deeply inspired by the New Mexican landscape and lived a solitary life there, painting what she loved. And what did Agnes love? She loved an eggshell blue sky at sunrise, and she loved the cotton candy pink sunset. Agnes loved the whole world.
She said, 'If I paint the things I love, then my paintings will be about love. And you will feel love when you look at them.' She even painted a painting called I Love the Whole World—twice. But some days, Agnes did not love the whole world. Not everyone understood her art, or her, and she felt it all. Agnes painted solace in pale, barely-there, mercurial hues and painstakingly simple lines and squares."
Tantalizing taste:
"Agnes loved painting waves, but she loved the waves of
the sea even more.
'It is better to go to the beach and think about painting
than it is to be painting and thinking about going to the
beach,' she said.
To love the whole world is to be in the world.
Light stippling the surf.
Salt in the air. Sand between toes.
Love and belonging washing over you. Wave upon wave upon wave."
And something more: The About Agnes Martin section explains: "Agnes wrote, 'My work is not what is seen. It is what is known forever in the mind.' By dispensing with objects, narratives, perspectives, colors, and movement, Agnes invites the viewer to meditate on the simplified purity of what remains: textures, grooves, brushstrokes, and patterns.
Not everybody understood Agnes ... Agnes believed in accepting and encouraging children for who they are. We hope this book continues this tradition and shines a light on a unique person who achieved, though sometimes struggled to find, peace and happiness in life."
Battling, Bellowing Bella Abzug
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Calkins Creek
(Astra Books for Young Readers)
(pub. 4.16.2024)
40 pages
Ages 7 -10
Author: Sarah Aronson
Illustrator: Andrea D'Aquino
Character: Bella Abzug
Overview:
" Battling Bella Abzug was born bellowing! From her childhood in the Bronx to her years as a lawyer, activist, wife, mother, and congresswoman, Bella battled for justice and fairness for everyone. Inspired by her Jewish upbringing and wholehearted belief in tikkun olam—repairing the world—she spoke her truth everywhere she went. Even when it wasn’t appreciated. Bella just kept on battling!
...This trailblazer helped kickstart the modern women’s movement—with humor and passion—always in one of her trademark wide-brimmed hats. An unstoppable and unforgettable leader who showed the world a vision for the future—that a woman’s place was in the house—the House of Representatives! Abzuglutely!"
Tantalizing taste:
"With her big brazen voice, Battling Bella Abzug did much more than bellow. This pioneer wrote a whole new playbook for women in politics and across the nation. She didn't get everything she fought for, but she got the battle started.
So your voices could be heard.
And you could keep battling.
With a hat. Or without.
ABZUGLUTELY!"
And something more: Sarah Aronson, shared in the Author's Note: "Now we recognize how powerful it is for kids to see themselves in story. I can attest that it was amazing to see a Jewish woman holding power, speaking loudly - raising a ruckus - saying what she believed. Her bravery made me brave. Her passion made me want to march for women's rights (and a whole bunch of other things), too. It's one of the reason this book is so important to me."
Sarah included many Acknowledgements, including "to my family for listening to all my stories discoveries, and process. It can't be easy to raise a loud girl with so much to say. Your love has made me fearless."
And this statement is so true ... "As long as people are reading this book, Bella will be with us still." —Gloria Steinem.
