Updated: Nov 23, 2021
The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Anne Schwartz Books
(pub.6.1.2021) 48 pages
Author: Alicia D. Williams
Illustrator: April Harrison
Character: Shirley Chisholm
Overview: "Meet Shirley, a little girl who asks way too many questions! After spending her early years on her grandparents' farm in Barbados, she returns home to Brooklyn and immediately makes herself known. Shirley aces school; she breaks her mother's curfew; she plays jazz piano instead of classical. And as a young adult, she fights against the injustice she sees around her, against women and black people. Soon she is running for state assembly...and winning in a landslide. Three years later, she is on the campaign trail again, as the first black woman to run for Congress. Her slogan? "Fighting Shirley Chisholm--Unbought and Unbossed!" Does she win? You bet she does." Tantalizing taste:
"A seat in the New York State Assembly opens - but there's one problem: it has always, always been made up of daring , rebellious, persistent white men. Shirley isn't deterred.
During the campaign, words, words, and more words are thrown at her.
Shirley hears only the most important words, from her father long ago: Make something of yourself."
And something more: Alicia D. Williams writes in the Author's Note: "In 1968, during her run for Congress, Shirley became ill. Just days after having a noncancerous tumor removed, she willed herself back on the campaign trail, announcing: 'This is Fighting Shirley Chisholm and I'm up and around ...' Shirley beat Republican and civil rights activist James Farmer, then hired mainly women - both black and white - as her staff."
Updated: Oct 4, 2021
The Story of Jeanne Power, Revolutionary Marine Scientist
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Clarion Books
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
(pub.3.9.2021) 40 pages
Author: Evan Griffith
Illustrator: Joanie Stone
Character: Jeanne Power
Overview: "How did a nineteenth-century dressmaker revolutionize science?
Jeanne Power was creative: she wanted to learn about the creatures that swim beneath the ocean waves, so she built glass tanks and changed the way we study underwater life forever.
Jeanne Power was groundbreaking: she solved mysteries of sea animals and published her findings at a time when few of women’s contributions to science were acknowledged.
Jeanne Power was persistent: when records of her research were lost, she set to work repeating her studies. And when men tried to take credit for her achievements, she stood firm and insisted on the recognition due to her.
Jeanne Power was inspiring, and the legacy of this pioneering marine scientist lives on in every aquarium."
Tantalizing taste:
"Jeanne loved the rich colors of the paper nautilus. She loved the graceful way it sails through the water. With her aquariums, she was able to do something no one had ever done before: observe this enchanting octopus alive and up close. And this careful study gave her the chance to solve a mystery that had puzzled scientists for ages...
Jeanne's heart leaped. She had solved the mystery of the paper nautilus. It didn't steal another animal's shell - it created one of its own!"
And something more: Jeanne's Life and Legacy at the back of the book explains: "Although aquariums have existed in various forms since ancient times, Jeanne was one of the first to create aquariums specifically for scientific observation. This put her at the forefront of a major shift in how animals were studied ... The way she advocated for her work was equally revolutionary. Jeanne was far from the only woman making game-changing scientific discoveries in the nineteenth century. Unfortunately, many female scientists of this era did not receive credit for their work. By speaking out when others tried to lay claim to her research, and by ensuring that her name was attached to her publications, she helped open the door for the recognition of women in science."
Updated: Sep 27, 2021
The Story of Singer, Songwriter, Activist Jean Ritchie A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Reycraft Books
(pub.8.17.2021) 32 pages
Author: Shannon Hitchcock
Illustrator: Sophie Page
Character: Jean Ritchie
Overview: "This lyrical picture book biography of songwriter and activist Jean Ritchie-Singer traces her life from the Cumberland Mountains of Kentucky to New York City and beyond as her protest songs inspired a nation " Tantalizing taste:
"Jean grew up like a sapling, and life in the Cumberland Mountains began to change.
Rumbling cars replaced rambling walks.
The roar of radios replaced the strum of strings.
A heavy feeling hung over the hills.
Jean wished she could turn back time.
Her brothers and sisters left home one by one.
Finally, it was Jean's turn to go...
Jean's singing inspired other people to raise their voices, too.
Activists solemnly sang 'The Cool of the Day' at their protest rallies.
Jean sang it to throngs of people at the Concert for the Mountains
in New York City."
And something more: Publishers Weekly provides a review of SHE SANG FOR THE MOUNTAINS: "Introduced to folk singers cum protestors—sketched portraits bear the names of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Carl Sandburg, and Doc Watson—by a Library of Congress song collector, Ritchie takes up protest songwriting to oppose coal mining. Hitchcock uses gently melodious, alliterative prose... Earthy, dimensional collage art by Page underlines the story’s themes with its organic, handmade feel. A hearty portrait of the 'Mother of Folk,' emphasizing the belief that music can create change."
