Aunt Flossie's Hats (and Crab Cakes Later)

by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard, James E. Ransome (Illustrator)

Overview

A lyrical celebration of Black families and family history based on the author’s own memories of her great-aunt, with lush illustrations by James E. Ransome.

Sunday afternoons are Sarah and Susan’s favorite time of the week. That’s when they visit Great-great-aunt Flossie and her memorable collection of hats—and hear her stories about days of long ago, when she was young. At times touching and poignant, laced with light humor, Aunt Flossie’s stories give readers a peek into moments in Baltimore’s history and a family who loves spending time together.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780395720776
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	02/01/1995
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	1,133,163
Product dimensions:	8.75(w) x 11.25(h) x 0.12(d)
Lexile:	510L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

James Ransome has illustrated more than 35 books for children, including many award winners. He lives in Rhinebeck, New York, with his wife, children's book author Lesa Cline Ransome, and their four children. Visit his website at www.jamesransome.com.

Editorial Reviews

"A picture book warmly expressive of personal history and intergenerational affection." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review —

From the Publisher

PW called this picture book ``an affecting portrait of a black American family,'' also praising Ransome's ``elegant, expressive'' oil paintings. Ages 3-6. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

K-Gr 2-- On Sunday afternoon, two little girls visit their Great-great-aunt Flossie, whose house is full of books, pictures, and ``boxes and boxes and boxes of HATS,'' each of which has a story to go along with it. A woolly winter hat still smelling faintly of smoke was worn by Aunt Flossie when, as a child, she witnessed the great Baltimore fire. The dark blue one with a red feather was perched on her head when, as a young woman, she watched a parade welcoming home black veterans of World War I. These reminiscences paint an interesting portrait of regional African-American history, but the highlight of the book is the girls' favorite story, which features themselves and the day the wind blew Aunt Flossie's best Sunday hat into the river. Based on Howard's memories of her own feisty, 98-year-old aunt, this is a lyrical, entertaining story that rings with authenticity. Ransome's distinguished oil paintings are gorgeous, but frustratingly dark at times. A compelling book that will draw readers back again and again. --Anna DeWind, Milwaukee Public Library

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