Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change

Showcasing the art of 13 artists, this resonant book was inspired by a simple yet searing phrase that celebrates the achievements of African-Americans, which was featured, in various versions, online and at rallies during the 2008 presidential campaign. Cook's adaptation pays tribute to 10 individuals, including George Washington Carver, Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson. These figures' triumphs are shown as part of a seamless continuum: Martin marched... so Thurgood could rule. Thurgood ruled... so Barack could run. Barack ran... so our children can soar! The spreads understandably represent an array of artistic styles and media, yet they form a cohesive and affecting collective portrait: a musical staff swathes Pat Cummings's Ella Fitzgerald like a boa, while Shadra Strickland's Ruby Bridges is a small yet determined figure, marching up the schoolhouse steps against a backdrop of protestors. Additional images from Leo and Diane Dillon, James Ransome, E.B. Lewis, Eric Velasquez and others, corroborate Children's Defense Fund founder Marian Wright Edelman's assertion, in the book's foreword, that African-American history is the story of hope. Ages 48. "(Apr.)" Copyright 2009 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

K-Gr 6 Similar in approach to Ntozake Shange's "Ellington Was Not a Street" (S & S, 2004), this book spotlights a historical African-American figure on each spread. Cook's brief words introduce 11 key individuals, beginning with "Our ancestors fought]/so George [Washington Carver] could invent./George invented]so Jesse [Owens] could sprint./Jesse sprinted]." Each stunning spread features full-bleed artwork done by a different children's book illustrator, such as James Ransome, Leo and Diane Dillon, Pat Cummings, E. B. Lewis, and Bryan Collier. Sports greats Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson verily leap from the pages. Ruby Bridges steps innocently into her school building, guarded by two federal marshals. An unknown Civil War soldier reminds readers of nameless heroes who struggled for freedom. These images will motivate students to seek further information about the people depicted here. Paragraph-length profiles of these "pioneers of change" are appended as are the artists' biographies, which will lead students to discover a rich body of work by contemporary illustrators. A perfect read-aloud to introduce a lesson on biographies or African-American studies."Catherine Trinkle, Hickory Elementary, Avon, IN" Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"A cohesive and affecting collective portrait." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Celebration, inspiration, and connection are the themes that drive this big, handsome picture book. . . . Will inspire parents and grandparents to share their memories and talk with children about the future." —Booklist, starred review