THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 14, 1995 TAG: 9502140070
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY YOLANDA ROBINSON COLES, SPECIAL TO THE DAILY BREAK
LENGTH: Long : 104 lines
WHEN I started Stonewall Jackson Elementary in Norfolk in 1957, there were no books in the library or the classroom that reflected me or my lifestyle. Nearly 40 years later, many children's books feature the contributions and achievements of African Americans. Here are some of my favorites from the fall/winter 1994 selections:
Zora Hurston and the Chinaberry Tree. By William Miller; illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. (Lee & Low, $14.95.) As a child, writer Zora Neale Hurston always wanted to know what lay beyond the horizon. Her mother recognized her daughter's intelligence and encouraged her in her ``wild'' ways. In this picture-book biography about the writer who would leave the rural South to become a prominent figure in the Harlem Renaissance, Zora's dying mother makes her promise to preserve the stories that she has heard and to relate her experiences. Zora vows to fulfill her dreams and to share her fulfillment with others. For children ages 6 to 10.
The Story of Ruby Bridges. By Robert Coles; illustrated by George Ford. (Scholastic. $13.95.) Desegregation caused great turmoil and violence in this country. In 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges was assigned to all-white William Franz Elementary School in New Orleans. For nearly six months, she suffered protesters who lined her path to school. How could Ruby withstand such pressure? For children ages 6 to 12.
May'naise Sandwiches & Sunshine Tea. By Sandra Belton; illustrated by Gail Gordon Carter. (Four Winds, $14.95.) A young girl loves her grandmother's book of rememberies (sic): She enjoys the stories that Grandma tells as they both look at the pictures. One of her favorites is of Bettie Jean and Grandma, who, it seems, was ashamed that all she had to offer Bettie Jean for lunch were may'naise sandwiches and sunshine tea. Fortunately her wise father intervened to change young Grandma's shame to pride. For children 6 to 9.
Martin Luther King. By Rosemary L. Bray; illustrated by Malcah Zeldis. (Greenwillow, $16. In this biography about Martin Luther King Jr., the simplicity of his life is elevated with wondrous paintings. It is a peaceful and thought-provoking portrayal of a man who climbed many mountains in his quest for justice and equality. For children 6 to 12.
Frederick Douglass: In His Own Words. Edited by Milton Meltzer; illustrated by Stephen Alcorn. (Harcourt Brace, $22.) Frederick Douglass was a prolific writer. This text uses the writings of Douglass to express the thoughts and motivations of the renowned abolitionist. The language is eloquent and reveals much about the society of Douglass' time. Alcorn illustrates the text with woodcuts in basic colors suggesting reflection. For children 10 to 14.
Fire on the Mountain. By Jane Kurtz; illustrated by E.B. Lewis. (Simon & Schuster, $15.) After the death of his parents, Alemayu sets out to find his sister, who is a cook for a wealthy man in another Ethiopian village. After many days of travel, he finds her and obtains employment with the man as well. The rich man has become arrogant, however, and challenges Alemayu to spend a night on a mountain with nothing but his flute and his shawl. He derives great pleasure in thinking that Alemayu will fail and be cast out along with his sister. This story reveals the inner strength that one must have to overcome adversity. For children 10 to 14.
The Foot Warmer and the Crow. By Evelyn Coleman; illustrated by Daniel Minter. (Macmillan, $14.95.) Being Master Thompson's slave is no easy task for Hezikiah. Selected by his master to be a jester, he learns to be very amusing in order to escape cruel punishments. But unbeknownst to Master Thompson, Hezikiah has other skills, among them an ability to communicate with animals. One day a crow, knowing that Hezikiah wants to be free, gives him the knowledge that he needs to secure his liberty. For children 6 to 10.
The Dragon Takes a Wife. By Walter Dean Myers; illustrated by Fiona French. (Scholastic, $14.95.) Harry the dragon can't seem to defeat the knight in their weekly fights. As long as he can't win, he can't get married. Harry goes to see Mabel Mae, a hip fairy, for help. Each time she gives him what he asks for, he still loses. As a last effort, Mabel turns herself into a dragon to teach Harry how to move in a fight, and Harry falls in love! For children 5 to 9.
Door of No Return: The Legend of Goree Island. By Steven Barboza. (Cobblehill, $14.99.) Goree Island is two miles off the coast of present-day Senegal in West Africa. Rarely mentioned in U.S. history, Goree was a holding place for slaves before they left for the colonies. Today the pristine island, a haven for tourists, reflects none of the horrors of slavery, only the warm sun. Barboza's story, accented by actual photographs, tells an slice of history that binds the ties between the United States and Africa. For children ages 10 and up.
Other Titles of Note:
When Jo Louis Won the Title. By Belinda Rochelle. Houghton Mifflin Co. $14.95. Ages 6 to 10.
Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing. Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. Scholastic. $14.95. For all ages.
Seminole Diary. By Dolores Johnson. Macmillan. $14.95. Ages 10 and up.
The Man Who Knew Too Much. By Julius Lester. Clarion. $14.95. Ages 6 to 9.
Celebration Song. By James Berry. Simon & Schuster. $14. Ages 5 to 8.
Jagurundi. By Virginia Hamilton. Blue Sky. $14.95. Ages 6 to 10.
Arthur Ashe and His Match With History. By Robert Quackenbush. Simon & Schuster. $14; $4.95 paper. Ages 5 to 9.
Five Brave Explorers. By Wade Hudson. Scholastic. $3.50 paper. Ages 6 to 12. MEMO: Yolanda Robinson Coles is a free-lance children's book critic in
Norfolk and Durham, N.C.
ILLUSTRATION: ``When Jo Louis Won the Title,'' ``Fire on the Mountain'' and
``The Story of Ruby Bridges'' teach children about African-American
achievements and overcoming adversity with courage.
KEYWORDS: BLACK HISTORY by CNB