Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change by Michelle Cook
Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change by Michelle Cook was inspired by the phrase “Rosa sat so Martin could march. Martin marched so Barack could run. Barack an so our children can soar!”
Each spread highlights key figures in African American history including George Washington Carver, Jesse Owens, Hattie McDaniel, Ella Fitzgerald, Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall and Barack Obama. Amazing pioneers of change. After reading the book and pouring over the beautiful illustrations, children can read more about each leader at the back of the book. This simple biography will enhance the reading and teach children about those who came before them.
What’s incredible about this book is that each spread is illustrated by a different celebrated African American illustrator. Yes – thirteen illustrators: Cozbi A. Cabrera, R. Gregory Christie, Bryan Collier, Pam Cummings, Leo and Diane Dillon, Ag Ford, E.B. Lewis, Frank Morrison, James Ransome, Charlotte Riley-Webb, Shadra Strickland and Eric Velasquez. I loved how different each spread was but how cohesive the book was as a whole. My favorite illustrations were Jesse Owens by Ag Ford and Martin Luther King Jr. by Frank Morrison.
As the dust jacket aptly says,
Our Children Can Soar is the story of a people rising. It is a story for anyone, for it is one the backs of our ancestors that every child is raised.
I wholeheartedly agree. It’s a special book.
Our Children Can Soar part of my themed reading for the month of February which celebrates Black History Month. Join me this month as I explore books that celebrate the history of African-Americans.
Links of interest: More book blogger reviews. Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast has a great feature with all the illustrators.
Genre: Non-Fiction Picture Book, Biography approx age 4-8.
Publisher: Bloomsbury. April 14, 2009.
Hardcover, 32 pages. ISBN 1599904187
Source copy: Library
Our Children Can Soar is available from your favorite independent bookstore, Powell’s, and Amazon.
Hey you! Yes. You! I've noticed that you've stopped by to visit a few times! But I don't know who you are. Why don't you take a moment and introduce yourself. Don't be scared. I try not to bite. I know you're a lurker but I'd love to hear your thoughts about what's been bringing you here. And if you haven't done so already, don't forget to never miss a post by subscribing to my feed or receiving updates by email. Thanks for visiting!
Tags: A-D Author, African American, Black History Month reads, civil rights movement, M-P Title, Publisher: Bloomsbury
 |
| or | 
|
Maw Books has an affiliate relationship with several bookstores, including Indiebound, Powell’s, and Amazon . When you buy a product (not just books – any product), via one of my links, Maw Books earns income from the sale and as always, it’s much appreciated as all affiliate income is used to support the blog. There is no cost to you.
This looks like a must-own book. I adore the illustration of Ruby Bridges (which I saw at the “Seven Impossible Things” link you provided).
on February 3rd, 2010 at 1:05 pmWhat a great inspiring book!
I have an award for you: http://reagan-review.blogspot.com/2010/02/award-2210.html
on February 3rd, 2010 at 5:18 pmThanks for posting this.
on February 3rd, 2010 at 9:47 pmOh this looks so good. Off to put a reserve on it at my library!
on February 4th, 2010 at 7:15 amMy choir just sang those lyrics in a song on the Sunday before MLK day, so this book really caught my eye.
on February 5th, 2010 at 8:55 pm