We knew we wanted to home educate before we started our family. When my firstborn arrived, we were given a handful of cute baby board books that sat neatly shelved until my son was about 9 months. One random day I decided to pull out one of those books to read it to my sweet boy. When I finished, he picked up the book and gave it to me and waited for me to read it again. We were hooked. From that moment on our days were filled with Karen Katz’ witty stories and bright beautiful baby characters, as well as Tad Hills’ delightful Duck and Goose series.
Not long afterward, I took my first trip to the library for the first time as a mother (rather than a student). Growing up I had gone to library at school, and I did a little reading here and there, but stepping through those doors as someone’s mommy was an altogether different experience. I was taken aback by just how far books had come since I was in elementary school. I found some old ones that I enjoyed when I was young like I Love You Forever by Robert Munsch and The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins. It was sweet nostalgia holding those books again for the first time in a long time. But there was one particular section that really stood out to me because the front cover illustrations were so breathtaking, they arrested my gaze and bid me stare at the uniquely crafted artwork.
“The illustrations were so breathtaking, they arrested my gaze and bid me stare at the uniquely crafted artwork”
My first glimpse of Kadir Nelson’s elegant work was He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. I loved every single page. Each library trip I always grabbed a book from Kadir’s section, if there was nothing new, I brought home my children’s favorites (because they were always there) If You Plant a Seed and Baby Bear.
Kadir Nelson is both an author and illustrator of many picture books. He is passionate about African American history and is the author and/or illustrator of witty and warmly narrated Heart and Soul: The Story of African Americans, We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, Moses: When Harriet Tubman led Her People To Freedom, The Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Champion Joe Louis and the beloved Henry’s Freedom Box and many more. In listening to interviews of Mr. Nelson I appreciate how his passion for history is evident, and the great lengths he goes to ensure that he is accurate in his prose and even his illustrations. He always has a note for the reader at the end of each story to share what all went into his writing and artwork. For example in We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, he is honest about not knowing the exact color and style of a uniform from a particular era because he just couldn’t get his hands on that information. Therefore he took some liberty in that particular painting. The reader would have never known unless Mr. Nelson had mentioned it. I admire that kind of honesty, and I appreciate that he puts his all into very single project. His effort is evident, his readers will both feel it and know it when they experience his talent.
Talented, brilliant, skillful… Kadir Nelson is worthy of your shelf space.
Children Whoo Read Says:
“5 Stars,
Breath-taking,
will leave an impression”
We Are The Ship
Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 2008 ISBN-10 : 0786808322 ISBN-13 : 978 1437969535
Synopsis (From the Publisher):
It is the summer of 1869, and trains, crews, and family are traveling together, riding America’s brand-new transcontinental railroad. These pages come alive
Featuring nearly fifty iconic oil paintings and a dramatic double-page fold-out, an award-winning narrative, a gorgeous design and rich backmatter, We Are the Ship is a sumptuous, oversize volume for all ages that no baseball fan should be without. Using an inviting first-person voice, Kadir Nelson shares the engaging story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through its evolution, until after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947.
The story of Negro League baseball is the story of gifted athletes and determined owners, of racial discrimination and international sportsmanship, of fortunes won and lost; of triumphs and defeats on and off the field. It is a perfect mirror for the social and political history of black America in the first half of the twentieth century. But most of all, the story of the Negro Leagues is about hundreds of unsung heroes who overcame segregation, hatred, terrible conditions, and low pay to do one thing they loved more than anything else in the world: play ball
Children Whoo Read Says:
“Other reviews described the illustrations as ‘lush’…we agree…amazing…”
Nelson Mandela
Publisher : Katherine Tegen Books Books 2019 ISBN-13 : : 978-0061783
Synopsis (From the Publisher):
In this lush, acclaimed book, award-winning author-illustrator Kadir Nelson tells the story of global icon and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela in poignant free verse and glorious illustrations. It is the story of a young boy’s determination to change South Africa, and of the struggles of a man who eventually became the president of his country. Mandela believed in equality for all people, no matter the color of their skin. Readers will be inspired by Mandela’s triumph and his lifelong quest to create a more just world.
Children Whoo Read Says:
“Oddly unique, Nolen-style, illustrations will make you smile and stare”
Thunder Rose
Author: Jerdine Nolen Publisher : HMH Books for Young Readers 2007 ISBN-13 : 978-0152060060
Synopsis (From the Publisher):
Thunder Rose vows to grow up to be more than just big and strong, thank you very kindly–and boy, does she ever! But when a whirling storm on a riotous rampage threatens, has Rose finally met her match?
Jerdine Nolen’s wondrous tale and Kadir Nelson’s outstanding illustrations bring to life this larger-than-life story about a resilient young girl who overcomes adversity even in the face of mother nature
Children Whoo Read Says:
“Even heroes have fears to overcome…read slowly and enjoy”
Testing the Ice: A True Story of Jackie Robinson
Author: Sharon Robinson Publisher : Scholastic 2009 ISBN-13 978-0545052511
Synopsis (From the Publisher):
Sharon Robinson, the daughter of baseball legend Jackie Robinson, has crafted a heartwarming, true story about growing up with her father. When Jackie Robinson retires from baseball and moves his family to Connecticut, the beautiful lake on their property is the center of everyone’s fun. The neighborhood children join the Robinson kids for swimming and boating. But oddly, Jackie never goes near the water. In a dramatic episode that first winter, the children beg to go ice skating on the lake. Jackie says they can go–but only after he tests the ice to make sure it’s safe. The children prod and push to get Jackie outside, until hesitantly, he finally goes…what happens next?
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