Five Inspiring African American Artists (Biography)

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

Javaka Steptoe, author and illustrator

Publisher Summary: Jean-Michel Basquiat and his unique collage-style paintings rocketed to fame in the 1980’s as a cultural phenomenon unlike anything the art world had ever seen. But before that, he was a little boy who saw art everywhere: in poetry books and museums. His story introduces young readers to the powerful message that art doesn’t always have to be neat or clean—and definitely not inside the lines—to be beautiful. 

What’s to Love:  The artwork is stunning (worthy of the Caldecott it won).  The beautiful narrative focuses on Basquiat’s childhood and development as an artist.   Readers will find his grit and passion as inspiring as the works he created. 

The Cosmobiography of Sun Ra:  The Sound of Joy is Enlightening

Chris Raschka, author and illustrator

Publisher Summary: Jazz musician Sun Ra always said that he came from Saturn.  Being from another planet, he was naturally interested in everything earthly—especially music, because music is the one thing on earth most like the stories.  So he made music.  And he traveled with other musicians and singers—calling themselves the Sun Ra Arkestra, playing, singing, and dancing for people all over the planet.  Because music, he said, is what holds us all together.

What’s to Love:  Sun Ra stood for love and peace during a tumultuous era.  Using his talent and passion, he brought people around the world together in music and in dance. His music is a blend of so many different types that he, in essence, created his own one-of-a-kind style.  Like the artist that inspired the biography, the watercolor and ink illustrations are not easy to label, but they aptly capture the otherworldly feel of the artist and his music. 

Jazz Age Josephine

Jonah Winter, author

Marjorie Priceman, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  Josephine has all the moves, but she also has dark skin, and some think that means she should stay in the shadows—or only play the clown.  But that simply will not work for Miss Josephine.  Instead she dances her way out of poverty and into stardom. 

What’s to Love: The blues inspired lyrical text and the energetic illustrations depict the feisty personality and amazing talent of Miss Josephine.  The vivid colors and bold pen strokes bring her story of perseverance and strength to life.

Draw What You See:  The Life and Art of Benny Andrews

Kathleen Benson, author

Benny Andrews, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  Benny Andrews loved to draw.  And he dreamed of a better life—something beyond the brutal segregation, the backbreaking labor, and the limited opportunities of the farm.  Benny’s dreams took him far from the rural Georgia of his childhood.  He became one of the most important African-American artists of the twentieth century, and he opened doors for other artists of color.  He fought for civil rights, and to make the art world more inclusive.  His story is an inspiration for artists and dreamers everywhere.

What’s to Love:  Author Kathleen Benson craftily combines her text with Andrew’s raw paintings to illustrate the artist’s life and world.  His story of overcoming adversity to become a respected artist beautifully unfolds in this appealing picture book biography.  The most admirable part of his life is his commitment to give back to his community.  Known as the people’s artists, he spent much of his life inspiring people—young and old—in all walks of life to tell their stories through their art.  

Gordon Parks:  How the Photographer Captured Black and White America

Carole Boston Weatherford, author

Jamey Christoph, illustrator

Publisher Summary:  With lyric verse and atmospheric art, Gordon Parks tells the story of how, with a single photograph, a self-taught artist got America to take notice. 

What’s to Love:  Author Carole Boston Weatherford captures the heart of Parks’ work in her poignant, yet straightforward language.  Lines like “through Gordon’s lens, her struggle gained a voice” and “you don’t have to hear her story to know her prayer” elevate the story beyond a simple children’s book to an inspiring story of determination and compassion for all ages.  The striking illustrations further the story and theme, illustrating the vital role art can play in uncovering harsh truths and fighting injustice. 

The 2018 #ReadYourWorld Book Review Linkup!

Shape Shift by Joyce Hesselberth

Title:  Shape Shift

Author:  Joyce Hesselberth

Illustrator:  Joyce Hesselberth

Target Ages:  1-6

First Lines:  

“Look around.  What shapes to you see?  I see a rectangle house with a trapezoid roof.  I see a triangle tree.  Shapes are all around us.  Once you know how to find them, you can use shapes to make anything you’d like.”

Publisher Summary:

Look around.  What shapes to you see?  Do you see an oval, a diamond, and a square?  Or do you see a clown upside down?  Or even a watermelon?  Use your imagination—there’s no end to the possibilities. 

Evaluation:

The book begins by introducing 9 shapes—triangle, semi-circle, crescent, trapezoid, rectangle, circle, oval, diamond, and square. First, all the shapes are labeled with their names to encourage sight word recognition.  Second, I like that non-traditional concept book shapes are included like trapezoid, semi-circle, and crescent. 

In several sequences, the two characters, along with their dog, introduce a couple shapes. Then, they work together to come up with an imaginative way to combine them into everyday objects.  For instance, the girls see an angry bull. She combines the crescent with the trapezoid and some additional embellishments to create a picture of one. 

There are some other concepts included. Several times onomatopoeia is used to go along with the picture created, such as splish, splash, swish (for a fish) and zooma-zoom (for a car). Young children can participate in the silly sounds. Each shape is a different color, providing opportunities to teach or to practice identifying colors.  At the end, the group counts to 10. Parents and educators can point to each number and count along. 

The mixed media and digital paint drawings are lots of fun!  The characters display a variety of emotions and lots of energy through their imaginative explorations. 

The many opportunities for interacting, learning, and imagining make Shape Shift an essential book for any early childhood classroom or home library.   

My Heart is Like a Zoo and Perfect Square by Michael Hall both use some similar concepts.  The three books would compliment each other well in a lesson or reading session.

Activities and Extension Ideas for Lesson Plans:

• Concepts: Ideal for teaching or reviewing concepts like colors, counting, and numbers.
• Math: Give out physical copies of the shapes either from a math kit or cut out on thick cardstock. For younger children, ask them to hold up each shape as you call it out. For older children, give them a shape and a number. Then give them the chance to find the shape and count out the appropriate number.  Assess comprehension of the 2 skills.
• Art: Cut out different shapes in advance.  Instruct children to create their own pictures from real or imagined ideas.
• Motor Skills:  Practice drawing the different shapes.  Color each one a different color.  Assess how well the shapes are duplicated as well as if the child can identify them and the colors.

Visit Suzanna Hill’s Blog for the Perfect Picture Book Weekly Round up.

Picture Book: Just Behave, Pablo Picasso! (by Jonah Winter)

Summary of Just Behave, Pablo Picasso! (by Jonah Winter):

Pablo Picasso began painting around the turn of the 20^th century. At that time, art was predictable.  Picasso bursted unto the scene with an original and new approach.   He had an amazing passion and brilliant gift for painting that prompted others, much older and experienced, to watch and to learn from him.  Though he began as a poor artist, he soon became widely popular and incredibly wealthy.  After being inspired by some African masks, Picasso went back to his studio where he painted something unlike anything he had ever done.  The unveiling was far from ideal.  People were shocked and dismayed.   Of course, he was hurt by their criticism because he was proud of his work.  Everyone encouraged him to keep painting the way that made him famous.  He told them, “To copy yourself is pathetic!”  After his next revolutionary painting, people continued their protests.   Critics claimed the work did not make sense. His response was, “The chief enemy of creativity is ‘good sense’!”  Picasso continued through the next several decades experimenting and inventing new styles, offering a new way to look at the world.  Today, he is one of the most famous and celebrated painters of the 20^th century. 

Evaluation:

Just Behave, Pablo Picasso! is an engaging introduction into the artist’s early life and works.  Author Jonah Winter depicts Picasso as an artist who defied conventions despite overwhelming criticism in order to be true to himself.  Also, Winter draws a parallel between Picasso’s unpredictable and innovative paintings and the fast-paced and ever-changing world he lived in.  Artists Kevin Hawkes’ vigorous illustrations are a blend of realistic art with some elements of Picasso’s work, such as exaggerated facial features and unexpected angles.  One of the most striking pictures is of a peaceful landscape scene with Picasso jumping out of it, reflecting well the theme of the book.  I recommend Just Behave, Pablo Picasso! for ages 7 and up. 

Teaching Opportunities:

• Biography:  Research to find out more about Picasso’s life and write a short biography of his later years
• History:  Explore the inventions and changes that were occurring in Picasso’s early life, such as cars, airplanes, telephones, and bombs
• Art History:  Check out a book on Picasso’s work or find pictures on the Internet; and then, examine the various styles he depicts
• Art Project:  Try one of several ideas that allow budding artists to experience Picasso’s style like the ones found at The Art Student
• Technology:  Create a PicassoHead
• Comparison:  Compare and contrast Picasso’s work with some of his contemporaries' works
• Writing:  Write a description and critique of one of his paintings

 This post is linked up with Read Aloud Thursday at Hope is the Word and at Perfect Picture Book Friday.  

Picture Book: Perfect Square (Michael Hall)

Summary of Perfect Square (by Michael Hall): 

“A perfect square is transformed in this adventure story that will transport you far beyond the four equal sides of this square book” (from end paper of book).  

The perfect square is perfectly happy.  Each day of the week, something unexpected happens which prompts the square to change.  For instance, on Monday it is cut into pieces and poked full of holes.  As a result, it makes itself into a babbling fountain.  On Tuesday it is torn into scraps, but it does not get discouraged.  It makes itself into a garden.  The square embraces the changes that happen to it—like being shredded, shattered, snipped, or crumpled—to becomes more resourceful and creative.  When on Sunday nothing new happens to it, the square initially feels confined and rigid.   In this satisfying ending, the square finds a way to continue to embrace the world around it and to be content in any circumstance. 

Evaluation:

Like his earlier critically acclaimed My Heart is Like a Zoo, author Michael Hall takes a simple concept and makes it something brilliant.  I love the minimal illustrations that depict what has happened to the square and then what it becomes.   In each incident it is difficult to imagine how the square can transform into something amazing, but it never ceases to delight.  Each development has one dominate color to signify a new stage, but for young listeners it is an opportunity to practice identifying colors and for older readers you may discuss why each color was chosen.  Also, the straightforward text and narrative makes this a book that people of all ages can enjoy and appreciate.  A young child will be enchanted by the colors and pictures created with basic shapes.  Older readers will find pleasure in the square's journey.  Despite all manner of circumstance, it never gets discouraged.  Instead, it “thinks outside the box” to make something beautiful out of a seemingly unfortunate situations.  The square’s resilience and contentment are remarkable.   I highly recommend Perfect Square to all ages.  

Teaching Opportunities:

• Art—Give each child a square and basic paper tools; allow them to make their own creative pictures using only the square, the tools, and minimal pen marks OR prompt them to mimic the art work in the book (see Fun & Engaging Activities for Toddlers blog post for an example)  
• Math—Identify the shapes on each page (where relevant) and count how many there are of each
• Colors—Identify the colors together (younger); brainstorm the feelings associated with each color and how they may related to the narrative (older)
• Calender—Recite the days of the week (younger); teach how the days of the week are used as a narrative framework for the action and to signify the passing of time (older)
• Writing —Write a story using the days of the week as the framework (from Karen at Layers of Learning)
• Language Arts—Allow children to summarize the story (younger); discuss how this story uses symbolism (the square going through changes) to illustrate the abstract (how circumstances impact people)--draw parallels between what happens to the square and the lives of people or characters in other books (older)
• Predicting Skills —As each new change occurs to the square, allow the listener(s) to guess what he might become 
• Character Development—Discuss the character qualities of the square (resilience, determination, creativity) and how it helped him to be content and fulfilled in all circumstances

This post is linked up at Hope is a Word for Read Aloud Thursday.  Check out other great read alouds HERE.  

This post is up at Enchanted Homeschooling for Enchanted Thursday.  Check out other great reads and activities for home HERE.

My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden’s Childhood Journey (by Jeanne Walker Harvey)

Summary of My Hands Sing the Blues:  Romare Bearden’s Childhood Journey (by Jeanne Walker Harvey):

Written as a first-person flashback, Romare Bearden (African-American artist) reveals one of the inspirations for his art—his past.  Memories of listening to stories from his Great-grandmother, remembering life in the rural South, and riding on a train from North Carolina to New York City, reveal more than mere biographical data.  Author Jeanne Walker Harvey writes in rhythmic, poetic language mirroring the jazz and blues music that also inspired the artist and reflects the rich culture heritage of Bearden and other African-Americans of his generation.  Illustrator Elizabeth Zunon uses glowing oil paints with mixed media collage (paralleling Bearden’s own style).  The pictures depict his memories along with images of rural life and segregation during the 1910’s and 1920’s when he was young.  A focal point on many of the pages is trains both as narrative emphasis and as a way to make known Bearden’s passion for them.

Evaluation:

My Hands Sing the Blues is a work of art in and of itself.  The stunning blend of illustrations and poetic language make this book a must read.  I love how Harvey brilliantly incorporates the blues music style in the text which makes it soothing and striking.  While this book is an ideal selection to have on hand during Black History Month, its appeal is not limit to that event.  There is a wide range of activities it can be used for by teachers from art and literature to history and music.  Parents can enjoy reading it to their children just for the fantastic storytelling, melodic language, and brilliant illustrations.  I highly recommend this book for all audiences. 

Teaching Opportunities:

• Language—Use the examples of onomatopoeia, alliteration, and rhyme to teach these sound devices to younger children learning beginning reading skills or older students learning about poetic language
• Art—The exquisite use of collage will inspire budding artist to practice this art media; students can, like Bearden, use their life experiences or music as inspiration
• History—Glimpses and references to the Harlem Renaissance, segregation, and the Jim Crow laws are craftily incorporated
• Literature—In a study of biographies, utilize as an example and discuss how it is like a type biography and how it is different; also can be used in a study of multicultural/African-American literature or poetry
• Music—Play samples of jazz and blues music; parallel the language and imagery of book to that of the music
• Literary Flashback—Define what a flashback is in literature; use the picture book as model, discuss how/why writers use it
• Writing—Students can write a story with a flashback or write lines of poetry imitating the blues inspired stanzas
• Moving—The artist looks back at his memory of moving from the South to the North; discuss how he probably felt and allow students to talk about their own moving experiences

I have link this post with the Non-Fiction Monday weekly blog hop which is being hosted this week at Lori Calabrese blog spot.  Check out these other great titles and bloggers.   

Picture Book: The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernest

Summary of The Gingerbread Girl:  

Everyone is familiar with the sad story of the Gingerbread Boy.  It has been a year since his untimely demise at the mouth of the wily fox! 

Despite the lonely elderly couple's fear of losing another Gingerbread Child, they resolves to bake again.  This time they dress a Gingerbread Girl with candies from head to toe and create a brilliant licorice whip hairdo for her.  

As the Gingerbread Girl bakes in the oven, she overhears the couple reminisce about the Gingerbread Boy.  She determines, “Sweet or not…things will be different this time.”   When it is time for the cookie to be done, the little old woman carefully opens the door and peeks inside.  BAM!  Out jumps the Gingerbread Girl.  

She calls back to them:

I’ll run and I’ll run

With a leap and a twirl.

You can’t catch me,

I’m the Gingerbread Girl!

Next, she dashes passed a group of farmers who are charmed by her sweet aroma.  As they run after her, she laughs and says:

Hey, farmers, don’t bother!

Like my brother, I’m fast!

Run all you want,

But I’ve learned from his past!

Then, she repeats her Gingerbread Girl mantra.  Similarly, she passes a pig, an artist, cows, dogs, and school children who all join the procession chasing her.  She assures each one with their own distinctive rhyming stanza that she will not repeat her brother’s mistake nor does she mind them all chasing her.  She seems to be inviting them along on her flight.

Like her brother before her, she comes to the river where the cunning fox is anxiously waiting for her.  He coyly coerces her and uses the same tricks, but the Gingerbread Girl outsmarts him!  She pulls from her head one of the leathery licorice strands.  Like an expert ranch hand, she lassos up fox’s mouth and rides him back to shore.  The amazed crowd follow the lonely couple back to their home.  Everyone quickly joins in to help feed the hungry houseful.  From that day on, the couple is never lonely again.   Neither is the Gingerbread Girl.  She also has a new friend. 

Evaluation:

I have read several versions of this story.  I was pleasantly surprised by this fresh, inventive retelling by Lisa Campbell Ernst.  The text is fast-paced and engaging.  The prose and poetry combination is fluid.  The poetic lines are well-written and insightful.  The protagonist is dynamic and clever.  The ending is satisfying.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story out loud with my son.   

Teaching Opportunities:

·         Reading Skills—Sequence the Story Events using a graphic organizer

·         Pretend Play—Students can re-enact the story using themselves as the characters or created materials like stick or finger puppets to use

·         Choral Reading—Signal the children each time the Gingerbread Girl chants her mantra; student can “read” along

·         Rhyme—Identify end rhymes in each stanza

·         Art—Decorate Gingerbread boy or girl cut outs with crayons, markers, or other supplies (glitter, ribbon, faux jewels)

·         Math—Click on Gingerbread Math Ideas for lots of great ideas

·         Building—Create a gingerbread house or small ones for a village

Also, click on The Gingerbread Cowboy post and BabblingAbby’s blog for more lesson plan idea and activities.   For technology connections, check out InTech Insights.

Picture Book: Rumble in the Jungle

I came across another wonderful book from Tiger Tales called Rumble in the Jungle.   It prompted me to consider: What is the difference between the rainforest and the jungle?  Here is a quick overview:

Though jungle and rainforest might appear to be similar, there are differences between the two. A rainforest area is often surrounded by a jungle, with the primary difference being that a rainforest has a very thick canopy of tall trees, which make it very difficult for light to penetrate to the ground level making it difficult for plants to flourish. A jungle floor on the other hand will usually have a thick undergrowth of plants and vegetation.

Because jungles and rainforests are closely connected, they share some similar animals.  On the other hand, the rainforest has many rare plants and animals only found in that habitat that make it indispensable to mankind.  Read more at Difference Between.  

Summary of Rumble in the Jungle:  

As the morning light sifts through the trees, there is a rumble in the jungle and a whisper in the trees.  The animals are waking up!  The hidden narrator invites the reader along on a jungle expedition:

Some animals are frightening,

And some are sweet and kind,

So let’s go to the jungle now

And see who we can find...

Lots of funny, scary, and marvelous creatures are encountered on this extraordinary day trip—monkeys, big cats, zebras, gazelles, snakes, and much more.   Using free-verse poetic stanzas, each animal reveals a little about itself.  Here are a couple samples: 

Chimpanzee

It’s great to be a chimpanzee

Swinging through the trees,

And if we can’t find nuts to eat

We munch each other’s fleas!

Gorilla

The gorilla is big, black, and hairy,

And the thing that he likes to do best

 Is to look all ferocious and scary

And wallop his giant great chest.

The narrative concludes with the night falling on the jungle.  Animals like the vulture and the leopard are still slowly and softly moving about while many others are quietly dozing off.

Evaluation:

Giles Andreae’s Rumble in the Jungle is a humorous rhyming safari.  The rich illustrations (by David Wojtowycz) are dynamic and delightful.  Oversized drawings make it a perfect read-out-loud book for classrooms and small groups.  Along with the bold pictures, children will enjoy the poetic verses and witty creatures.  I recommend this book for ages 3-8.  There are many excellent opportunities for extension activities and lessons from the basic (identifying animals) to the more challenging (learning the difference between the jungle and the rainforest). 

Teaching Opportunities:

• Pre-Reading—Identify the animals and their sounds (where applicable)
• Poetry—Read the individual stanzas to identify sound devices (rhyme, alliteration) and to discover information about each creature
• Science—Read other books about favorite creatures illustrated in the book
• Science—Teach the difference between the jungle and the rainforest habitats; identify animals that dwell in both
• Language—Locate examples of onomatopoeia in the illustrations; discuss (or guess) the sounds of animals whose sounds are not revealed in the text
• Art—Create animal masks using paper plates; have an animal safari parade around the class, house, or school
• Writing—Compose a first person free-verse stanza for another animal in the jungle as a class or in small groups OR allow students to compose a first person stanza about themselves (can be done as homework with their families)

A Very BIG Bunny (Marisabina Russo)

Summary of A Very BIG Bunny: 

Amelia is a bunny, a very big bunny.  Lovingly, her parents attempt to encourage her about her size by pointing out that she stands out in a crowd and that she is the star of the show.  Amelia does not want either of those things though.  She just wants to be a bunny that fits in with her peers.  At school, she is the biggest student in the class.   Her classmates tell her she is too tall for jump rope, her feet are too big for hopscotch, and her weight is too heavy for the seesaw.   Standing by the fence at recess and walking home alone after school, she finds creative ways to amuse herself.  She is lonely though. 

A new bunny, a very small bunny, joins the class.  Her name is Susannah.  Classmates call her pip-squeak, peanut, and shrimp.  They claim she is too small for everything.  Susannah walks over to Amelia at the fence and attempts to make friends with her.   Caught up in her own lonely world, she ignores her.  Each day, Susannah works to befriend Amelia, despite her rebuffs.   Then, Susannah lures her in with an original idea for picture day that helps both girls learn to accept their differences and each other.  Susannah realizes that standing out in the crowd can be a positive experience. 

Evaluation:

I like A Very BIG Bunny because it illustrates common childhood insecurities, such as being too big, too small, or too _____ from peers.  Many students experience bullying, isolation, and loneliness as a result of their differences.  Author Marisabina Russo realistically depicts the way children deal in diverse ways with bullying and their reluctance to trust others.  There is also a credible ending. The girls’ peer problems are not magically solved, but they are moving in a positive direction by embracing their individuality and growing in their friendship together.  Children ages 4-8 will enjoy this story and illustrations. 

Teaching Opportunities:

• Art—Create unique tiaras or necklaces (girls) or hats and ties (boys)
• Friendship—Brainstorm qualities of a good friend and discuss how to be one
• Self-Worth—Think up ways students can feel good about themselves 
• Comparison—Compare and Contrast the two girls on areas like why they are bullied, how they cope with it, and what character qualities they possess 
• Bullying—Read other stories on bullying and teach about the signs and solutions for it

For other books on bullying, click here. 

Picture Book: Not All Animals are Blue by Beatrice Boutignon

Overview Not All Animals are Blue:  

On the left side there are five sentences.  Here is a sample:

Does she catch a lot of flies?

Watch out!  She has a black belt!

Those two do everything together.

She sees everything clearly.

She loves to sunbathe.

On the right side is a descriptive title (usually incorporating alliteration) and five pictures.  Here is a sample:   Five Frogs Floating By.   The illustrations depict the first frog with glasses, the second frog in a black belt kicking, the third frog laying out on her lily pad, the fourth two frogs peering over a lily pad, and the fifth frog is a fat one catching a fly.  The same formula is used throughout the book. 

Evaluation:

Beatrice Boutignon’s Not All Animals are Blue is a smart, educational read out loud for preschoolers.  I would suggest it for one-on-one or small group interaction because the book and illustrations are relatively small.   Though the concept is great for whole class learning if the teacher can adapt it using her own examples or with an overhead.  I love that there are numerous teaching opportunities on each two-page layout!  Do something different each time you read it. 

Teaching Opportunities: 

• Alliteration—identify the alliterative words in each title
• Parts of speech—each sentence has 1-2 words bolded, discuss the types of words—action, descriptive, or thing
• Matching—match the sentence to the picture
• Types of Sentences—declarative, exclamatory, and interrogative sentences are used; discuss the differences using simple vocabulary (like statement and question) as well as the punctuation marks used for them
• Descriptive words—connect the descriptive words to synonyms and antonyms
• Art—instruct children to make (use die cuts, shapes, or other identical materials) two or more pictures of the same thing but slightly different; help them write a sentence to describe each one
• Animals—identify the animals on each page and connect them to their habitats or type