Review: Back of the Bus by Aaron Reynolds and Floyd Cooper

9780399250910

It seems like any other winter day in Montgomery, Alabama. Mama and child are riding where they're supposed to, way in the back of the bus. The boy passes the time by watching his marble roll up and down the aisle with the motion of the bus, until from way up front a big commotion breaks out. He can't see what's going on, but he can see the policeman arrive outside and he can see Mama's chin grow strong. 

"There you go, Rosa Parks," she says, "stirrin' up a nest of hornets. Tomorrow all this'll be forgot." But they both know differently.

With childlike words and powerful illustrations, Aaron Reynolds and Coretta Scott King medalist Floyd Cooper recount Rosa Parks' act of defiance through the eyes of a child who will never forget.

There are dozens of children's books about Rosa Parks, but I have never thought about what it might have been like to be another passenger on the bus, much less a child. Reynolds' text gives the familiar but important tale freshness, while Cooper's soft illustrations and the angle of his pictures reinforce the child's perspective. Every page is chock full of discussion starters. This is a beautiful book that needs to be part of every library.

Picture Book Reviews

978-006-025-3837

 

In vibrant language and a rhythm that moves with the rhythm of the train, Thomas describes her family's voyage in the late 1940's to California, the Land of Milk and Honey, as well as their early days there. The images are all positive, with no mention of the struggles many families faced as they made a place for themselves. This would be a good introduction to a unit on that time period, area, emigration, urbanization, or migrant workers.

 

 

978-006-192-0820

 

By contrast in Brick by Brick, by Charles R. Smith, Jr., there is no denying the countless hours of heavy work slaves put into building the original White House, while "slave owners take slave hands' pay." Even the pictures show bloated politicians handing bills to weasily slave owners, while toiling slave children are barely able to keep their eyes open. It's hard to find fault with a largely negative representation of what was, really, a largely negative aspect of American history. Smith still manages to impatr a sense of pride and hope - "Slave hands count shillings/ with worn fingertips/and purchase freedom/earned brick by brick."

 

 

Both of these books were illustrated by Floyd Cooper. This third features the artwork of Kadir Nelson.

 

978-006-178-3746

 

Oh, yes, please!

 

What's that? I'm supposed to be objective? I have to at least open the book before I decide I love it? Well, if you insist.

 

Oh, happy sigh. I'm sorry, I can't be objective, I just adore anything this Nelson puts to paper. I did learn a multitude of things I didn't know about the other Nelson - Nelson Mandela, however. Or I should say, Rolihlahla (I wonder if he ever considered going back to his given name when he got older? Read the book to find out what that translates to - quite apt, I think!) I had no idea he had to leave home at such a young age. I had forgotten how long he was in prison (over 27 years!) And, I was newly inspired by the determination and positive outlook he still has.

And did I mention the illustrations are amazing?

 

Thank-you to HarperCollinsChildrens for all three review copies! For more great nonfiction books, jump over to Nonfiction Monday at Sally's Bookshelf!