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READING STYLE GUIDE

Digital Woodcutting 

10/16/2020

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A B C Animals by Christopher Evans

Just when you thought that every possible approach for animal alphabet books has been published, along comes ABC Animals. Christopher Evans’ oversized concept book sets a new standard for elegant graphic design in children's picture books.
A two-page spread is devoted to each of the twenty-six featured animals. The left-hand page displays the animal name, inital alphabet letter using three different fonts (one with textures), and a soft beige silhouette.
However, the showstopper is the facing page: an enlarged close-up of the featured animal rendered as a digital woodcut. These are not photographs produced using special effects.
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Using a technique similar to engraving, Evans creates exquisitely textured body coverings. From the prickly hedgehog to the gelatinous nautilus, the iguana scales to vulture’s multiple types of feathers, the variety and beauty of the animal kingdom is awe-inspiring. 
Back flap copy describes the artist’s process. Images are hand drawn with illustration software to create digital woodcuts, also referred to as modern-day engravings. “They are somewhere between an impressionist painting and a mechanical drawing.”
Readers of all ages will pore over the images, making new discoveries with each observation. Every page is a work of art worthy of framing. What a glorious tribute to the wonders of the animal kingdom and innovative artistic expression. Stunning!
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 15, 2020 Publisher: Peter Pauper Press ISBN: 978-1-4413-3463-3
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Art and Nature

8/19/2020

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Beatrix Potter, Scientist (She Made History)
​by Lindsay H. Metcalf ill by Junyi Wu

The connection between art and science is symbiotic. Scientists record observations with accurate representations of phenomena. Artists rely on a careful study of anatomy and physiology to inform their art.
It is no surprise that artist Beatrix Potter studied her surroundings and recorded her findings with precision. What is remarkable is that her published books are not scientific treatises, but instead are delightful fantasies.
Metcalf gives young readers fresh insight into the life of the author of The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Each summer Beatrix’s family would travel to Scotland. It was there that the young girl met Charles McIntosh , the postman who encouraged her study of life forms. She was a dedicated researcher, making meticulous drawings, examining small animal skeletons, and preparing slides for microscopic observation.
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Potter's specific field of study was fungi: the study of mushroom spores. She made a breakthrough discovery on the germination of these spores and prepared a paper for the Linnean Society of London. She could not present her paper in person, as women were not allowed to join this scientific society. She withdrew her paper from consideration after the society said her findings needed more work. Shortly afterward, she discontinued her fungi research. History does not explain her abandonment of nature studies. A century later the Linnean Society apologized for the treatment of Beatrix Potter and other women.​
Metcalf enhances this picture book with backmatter that includes "More About Beatrix Potter," a Timeline, Bibliography, Source Notes, and suggestions for Further Reading. Wu's soft colored pencil illustrations honor both the wonders of nature and storytelling. Her style does not attempt to imitate the precision of Potter's studies. Her illustrations focus on Beatrix and her joy of discovery.
Beatrix Potter, Scientist explores the value of close observation in the fields of both science and art and speaks to the work of women in science. Add to biography and STEM collections.

More Women Who Changed Our World

She Made History: Women Who Changed Our World is an ongoing picture book series celebrating the contributions of women. In addition to well-known historical figures such as Helen Keller, Harriet Tubman, Phillis Wheatley, and Susan B. Anthony, the series introduces young readers to other women who have been change agents. Alice Coachman the first African American woman to earn an Olympic gold medal, Kathryn Johnston the first girl to play Little League baseball, and astronomer Nancy Grace Roman who led the NASA team which built the Hubble Space Telescope are some of the featured woman who have made history.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 1, 2020 Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company ISBN: 978-0807551752
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Runaway Art

7/28/2020

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Doodleville by Chad Sell

Drew loves to draw. Pencil in hand, she has created her own collection of doodles, an assortment of charming and often mischievous characters who dwell in her imaginary world.
Drew shares her passion for drawing with other students in the school’s Art Club. Their advisor plans a field trip to the local art museum. This expedition will serve as inspiration for an upcoming project: create a superhero world.
There is one complication. Drew has discovered that her doodles can escape the pages of her sketchbook and travel into the “real world.” At the museum, her creations Jump off the paper and wildly explore the art displays, absconding with a hat featured in one of the paintings.
Although Drew manages to collect all her runaway doodles plus an additional purloined hat, it is apparent that her creations are out of control. They begin to inhabit the drawings of her fellow students, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
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Her solution to is to create a large doodle. A much larger doodle. She names this gigantic serpentine monster Levi, an abbreviated version of Leviathan. The monster lives up to its name, causing havoc and destroying the work of her friends. It is unstoppable. Drew is wracked with guilt.” It’s all my fault.” she sobs. ​Her friends rally to her defense and devise a plan to link the powers of all their superheroes together to defeat Levi.
Drew’s father helps her understand that her creations are a part of her and that the Leviathan is an extension of the darkness that she sometimes feels. Once she acknowledges the duality of emotions she possesses, Drew is empowered to formulate a plan of action that benefits her fellow artists, the doodles, and even Levi. This leads to an inventive and satisfying conclusion.
Sell’s art cleverly delineates the black and white one-dimensional world of Doodleville and Drew’s fully realized colorful world. The blending of the two worlds is masterful.
The final panels set the stage for further adventures in the Doodleverse, a series destined to fly off the shelves faster than Leviathan, Captain Cockatoo, or the Magical Butterfly Boyfriends can travel.
This fantastical comic envisions a world where art comes to life and imagines the positive as well as negative implications of such a world. It features a tightly knit, yet diverse group of young students who unite to solve a problem, forgive one another’s mistakes, and celebrate their collective successes. And did I mention the donuts? Yes. There are donuts.

Bonus

Download Doodleville coloring pages and create a Doodleville World of your own. Find more information here.
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Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: June 9, 2020 Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-1984894717
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What About Me?

6/16/2020

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All the Birds in the World by David Opie

“But what about me?” asked Kiwi.
Diversity is a phenomenon found and celebrated throughout nature. All the Birds in the World explores the remarkable variety found within the avian species.
An adorable little kiwi narrates this informative picture book highlighting a vast assortment of birds living in all parts of the globe. The narrative begins with a list of characteristics common to all members of this class of warm-blooded vertebrates: feathers, wings, and beaks.
Successive pages illustrate remarkable individuality. Birds  are different with respect to size, shape, coloration, and behaviors.  They can be found in a range of climates and habitats. 
Kiwi, a native to New Zealand bird, compares itself with others of the species and asks, "But what about me?"
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Kiwi is pleased that a stubby critter who cannot sing, has no tail, does not fly, lives underground, and has whiskers is nonetheless a bird and proudly proclaims that "Even me" is a member of this feathered family.
Opie's exquisitely detailed paintings showcase a dazzling array of winged wonders.  Two-page spreads of birds in motion (flying, swimming, and singing or calling) invite careful examination. There are also closeups of eggs, feet, and beaks. The artist notes that some bird images are "not necessarily to scale."
Back matter includes A Note from the Author, additional Kiwi information, and splendid annotated reproductions of the book's pages that identify most of the birds featured throughout the volume.
A delightful introduction to ornithology.
Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: June 1, 2020  Publisher:  Peter Pauper Press   ISBN: 978-1441333292
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What's Your Favorite Food?

3/28/2020

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What's Your Favorite Food? by Eric Carle and Friends

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The picture book What's Your Favorite Food? features Eric Carle and selected children's book illustrators responding to a simple query. Each artist describes a favorite food with a brief paragraph accompanied by a two-page spread of eye-popping art.
The book is a cornucopia of flavors from around the world. Strawberry daifuku, paella, and pitaya fruit are interspersed with universal favorites such as cheese, berries, and salad. Find kid-friendly fare: French Fries, ice cream, and pizza. It is fun to explore this potpourri of scrumptious food choices.
The colorful mix of art styles are visually arresting with an appealing melánge of realistic images and bold graphic design. Food is celebrated with illustrations employing collage, printmaking, painting, and line drawing. A delicious introduction to a variety of artists.
Final pages include a description of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, located in Amherst, Massachusetts. Royalties from the purchase of this book are donated to this nonprofit organization which promotes the art of the picture book. A brief biographical note accompanied by a childhood photo of each artist adds a personal touch.
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Let Them Eat Cake

Cake. We wanted cake. Today a chocolate cake would be especially nice. However, due to the current world situation, ingredients are in very limited supply. What to do? Then I remembered collage days and my roommate Delena. She had a good recipe for chocolate cake made without eggs, butter, or milk.  Cake is on the menu, thanks to Delena.
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Let's Get Baking

Delena's Chocolate Cake
Sift together:
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
6 Tablespoons cocoa
2 teaspoons baking soda
​1 teaspoon salt
Add:
2 teaspoons vinegar
3/4 vegetable oil
2 cups cold water
2 teaspoons vanilla
Mix liquid ingredients with sifted dry ingredients. Pour into greased and floured 9" x 13" pan.
​Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes. 
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When butter and eggs are plentiful, this scrumptious cake is my go-to chocolate sheet cake. Gooey, chocolaty goodness. The batter fills an oversize sheet pan. At my house we consume a lot of this cake, so the size is just right. The chopped pecans on top are the crowning touch.
​Find the recipe here.

What's Your Favorite?

Introducing three additional titles in the What's Your Favorite? picture book series. Discover more about the world and meet many talented artists in this colorful picture book series.
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​Copy provided by publisher
​Pub date: July 23, 2019  Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)   ISBN: 978-1250295149
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Chinese New Year Colors by Rich Lo

11/19/2019

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Chinese New Year Colors by Rich Lo

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Bold graphic design. Vibrant color. Strategically placed traditional symbols.  Chinese New Year Colors is a visual treat. Take a look inside:
​The left-hand page splits to display a color word written three different ways: English, Chinese in the Latin alphabet,  and Chinese characters, inverting the color scheme on the bottom half of the page.
Each right-hand page features a single culturally appropriate item, rendered in exquisite detail against a soft color wash. The entire two-page spread is monochromatic. Lo teases out the magnificence of each item through various shades and hues. It  is a brilliant study in color values.
Youngsters are introduced to the New Year celebration through objects associated with this holiday. A picture index at the back of the book gives a brief description of each celebratory object. End papers echo the theme in a print-like fashion.
Illustrator and graphic designer Lo conveys substantial information through page layout, color, text style, and text placement.  Add this beautiful book to your collection of introductory Chinese books for young readers.  An elegant bilingual picture book.

Companion Books

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Bilingual alphabet book in ​English, Mandarin Chinese in the Latin alphabet, and  Chinese characters.
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Written and illustrated by Rich Ho, young readers learn about Chinese opera and the value of persistence.
Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: November 19, 2019  Publisher: Holiday House  ISBN: 978-0823443710
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World of Art

11/14/2019

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Superlative 2019 Illustrated Children's Books 

Each book is a visual treat.
Members of the 2019 panel:
  • Bruce Handy, a journalist and critic and the author of “Wild Things: The Joy of Reading Children’s Literature as an Adult.”
  • Jessica Cline, supervising librarian in the Picture Collection of the New York Public Library.
  • Jillian Tamaki, the Book Review’s By the Book illustrator and a past winner of the award. She is the author and illustrator of several graphic novels and the picture book “They Say Blue.”
This selection of books is particularly notable by the number of books with an international connection: authors and illustrators represent an array of countries and cultures.  A stunning variety of story lines, book design, artistic styles and expression are evidence of the universal appeal of fine art for young readers. This small sample from ten award winners invites readers to visit a local bookstore or library and experience the wonder of picture books for children.
Travel the world with this year's award winners.  Pairing these picture books with a map of the world would make an interesting learning experience for young readers. Note: Books with a connection outside the continental United States are designated with a global icon. 
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Small in the City written and illustrated by Sydney Smith
Sydney Smith  lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Small in the City published by Neal Porter Books, is an imprint of Holiday House. The story is set in Toronto. Fun Fact: Town Is by the Sea, illustrated by Smith is a 2017 Best Illustrated Children's Book. 

Another written and illustrated by Christian Robinson

Christian Robinson lives in San Francisco, California in a converted warehouse. Another is published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon and Schuster. Fun Fact: Leo: A Ghost Story was recognized a 2015 Best Illustrated Children's Book.
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The Lost Cousins written and illustrated by B.B. Cronin
Brian Cronin was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland.  He now lives in New York. The Lost Cousins is published by Viking Books for Young Readers. Fun Fact: Cronin has created several Lost titles including The Lost Christmas, The Lost Picnic, The Lost House.
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A Million Dots written and illustrated by Sven Völker
Sven Völker, German Professor of Art and Design. A Million Dots is published by British publisher, Cicada Books. Fun Fact: There's a Little Black Spot on the Sun Today is a collaboration: "King of Pain" lyrics by Sting and illustrations by Völker.
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Just Because written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Isabelle Arsenault is a Canadian illustrator living in Montreal, Quebec. Just Because is published by Candlewick. Fun Fact: Migrant (2011) and Jane, the Fox, and Me (2013) are New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books.
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Child of Glass written and illustrated by Beatrice Alemagna
Beatrice Alemagna is from Bologna, Italy. Child of Glass is published by Enchanted Lion Books. Fun Fact: Alemagna's On a Magical Do-Nothing Day is a 2017 New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book.
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Monkey on the Run written and illustrated by Leo Timmers
​Leo Timmers was born in Belgium. Monkey on the Run is published by Gecko Press in New Zealand. Fun Fact: Timmers is currently developing an animated TV series based on his work.
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The Boring Book written and illustrated by Shinsuke Yoshitake
Shinsuke ​Yoshitake, born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan illustrates children's books and essays. ​The Boring Book is published by Chronicle Books. Fun Fact: Yoshitake also creates comics.
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​The Farmer written and illustrated by Ximo Abadía
Ximo Abadía, illustrator and graphic designer, lives and works in Madrid, Spain.   The Farmer is published by Holiday House. Fun Fact: His work was selected for the Bologna Children's Illustrator's Exhibition in 2017.
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I Miss My Grandpa written and illustrated by Jin Xiaojing
​Jin Xiaojing is an illustrator based in New York City. I Miss My Grandpa is published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Fun Fact: Printed in a bilingual format with Chinese translations and Mandarin pinyin transliterations.

Art in the Making​

Art History
Visit this year's award-winning  artists at work.
View the New York Times New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Books from  2018 and 2017.  
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Color Palette

7/15/2019

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All the Greys on Greene Street by Laura Tucker

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Olympia lives in a world of artists: her mother a painter turned sculptor, her father an art restorer, and her father's studiomate Apollo. She enjoys assisting Apollo with grinding pigments and mixing his own paints. She too is an artist. But her medium is the Blackwing 602 pencil. She works strictly in black, white, and grey. 
When events force her to temporarily give up sketching, she turns to watercolor. Her experiments with this medium reminded me of my early forays into the magic of pigments mixed with water and then applied to pristine white paper. I unearthed some of my childhood watercolors and paired them with some of Olympia's observations on color, art, and life.
I loved All the Greys on Greene Street for many reasons: the tender exchanges between a troubled mother and her anxious daughter, the vivid descriptions of lower Manhattan, sunny summer days on an island, friendships tested and remaining true, love for cats, and a young girl's discoveries of what it means to be brave. Thanks Laura Tucker for restoring a piece of my childhood.
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"...a wash of blues...so deep and rich that looking at them made you feel like you were learning something."
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"Apollo mixes colors for his own paintings too, which is why they're so beautiful they make your chest hurt."
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"It's not the worst thing, is it? To celebrate the extraordinary in the ordinary?"
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"It was a relief to let things be a little blurry. I liked how forgiving watercolor was, how easy it was to pretend that you hadn't made a mistake."
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"but there were hundreds of blues in there that I had no words for, smoky purples and faded teals, colors even Apollo might not have known the names for."
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" learned that if I held the brush at the very end...and made a lazy stroke with my whole arm, I could lay down a luxurious swath of color."
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"Dried gamboge doesn't look like much-just another sticky, ugly brown rock. But put a drop of water on it, and that rock will weep a tear so brightly yellow it will hurt your eyes."
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"They turn difficult things into beautiful ones. They're the artists. And that's what you are."
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: June 4, 2019  Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers  ISBN: 978-0451479532
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Undefeated

7/3/2019

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The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander ill by Kadir Nelson

This is for you. And you. And you. This is for us.
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When times are tough and faith gives only the thinnest glimmer of light, there is hope, there are heroes. Newbery Award-winner Kwame Alexander's poetry pays tribute to Black Americans who with determination, persistence, dignity, courage, and vision have survived and thrived.
The Undefeated honors some of the individuals, past and present, who embody the struggle to dream and achieve. Authors, artists, athletes, poets, politicians, Civil Rights leaders, and musicians are among those referenced through soaring verses which capture the dignity and grace of the human spirit. 
​Alexander also pays tribute to those who suffered, sacrificed, and lost their lives.
A heart-breaking image features the framed photographs of four young girls killed in the 1963 bombing of the Birmingham Church, their faces shown behind shattered glass. Lives shattered. ​
Probably the most moving spread is a blank page, devoid of any face, acknowledging those who did not survive. ​
Two-time Caldecott Honor-winner Nelson's close-up portraits capture a spirit of quiet strength and determination.  The realistic style exudes countenances glowing with warmth and intelligence. Nelson uses a rich variety of skin tones and facial characteristics. Each an individual. Each unique.  The faces also portray joyful and proud moments. Eyes shining with tears. 
Back matter includes an Afterword by the author, describing his inspiration for this ode to Black America. References to  individuals, historical events, lyrics, and speeches that inspired individual verses provide context and background information. 
This book is for everyone. It speaks to the best in us. It inspires us all. Thank you, Mr. Alexander and Mr. Nelson
"We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated."
​Maya Angelou

Be Inspired

View The Undefeated trailer and an interview with the author and illustrator, filmed at the National Gallery of Art.
Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: April 2, 2019  Publisher: Versify.   ISBN: 978-1328780966
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We Are the Change

5/4/2019

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We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders
introduction by Harry Belefonte

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Have you picked up a book and without cracking it open, knew that it was going to be something extraordinary? That was my initial response to We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders.
​The case features embossed lettering  and Dan Santat's illustration of a John Lewis quote.
We may not have chosen the time, but the time has chosen us.
Sixteen remarkable artists lend their talents to this project. Each illustrator selected a  a Civil Rights leader's inspirational words. Art is reflective of the message and unique to the artist's style.  Each illustrator's personal consideration of the quotation is included.  Images and text are compelling and profoundly moving. 
The volume, inspired by the work of the American Civil Liberties Union, echoes a commitment to human rights. Harry Belafonte offers a thoughtful introduction.
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A diverse collection of historical individuals such as Queen Lili'uokalani, Frederick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Helen Keller as well as contemporary figures in the struggle for human rights including Dolores Huerta, John Lewis, and Sonia Sotomayor provide the words.
This treasure trove of art by Selina Alko, Alina Chau, Lisa Congdon, Emily Hughes, Molly Idle, Juana Median, Innosanto Nagara, Christopher Silas Neal, John Parra, Brian Pinkney, Greg Pizzoli, Sean Qualls, Dan Santat, Shadra Strickland, Melissa Sweet, and Raul the Third is striking. Back matter consists of individual biographies of the contributing illustrators.
A personal, passionate call to action that will resonate with readers of all ages. 

Companion Resources

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Anthology of poetry, essays, and art reflects and honors the ongoing struggle for justice, equality, and respect.
Barack Obama and "We are the change"
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Looking for opportunities to be involved in meaningful change? Try this site.
Copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: May 7, 2019  Publisher: Chronicle Books  ISBN:  978-1452170398
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    Barbara Moon

    I like talking about books and  interesting ideas. I like thinking about how books affect my life. Not particularly interested in giving out stars or in rating books. 

    Audio Publishers Association
    2013, - present  Audies judge 
    American Library Association Book Awards and Lists 
    ​2017 YALSA Award Nominating Committee
    2016 Excellence in Nonfiction 
    2014 Margaret Edwards Award
    2012 Odyssey Awards.  
    2009, 2010, 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

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