FEBRUARY 2022 - AudioFile
Karen Chilton narrates this audiobook about the famous Civil Rights anthem with clarity and an uplifting sense of purpose. The orchestral accompaniment is fitting, but the omission of a complete version of the song being sung is perhaps a missed opportunity in this uniquely suited format. Chilton speaks slowly, offering time to reflect on the conviction of the lyrics she reads aloud. Two of the readings are identical except for page-turn signals. The signals are distracting, a tad too loud and long. Listeners without the benefit of the picture book will find it difficult to discern what the ambient sounds might be—although the illustrator’s notes offer some clues after the fact. Author Bryan Collier delivers his own engaging notes, which explain the song’s mixed origins: A borrowed melody was paired with hymn lyrics. L.T. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Publishers Weekly
★ 10/25/2021
Illustrating lyrics of the civil rights protest anthem “We Shall Overcome,” Collier (All Because You Matter) demonstrates the song’s continuing significance, layering dynamic, vibrantly hued images of a contemporary Black girl’s day-to-day with grayscale drawings of meaningful events in Black history—and drawing a direct link between them. In one spread, Rosa Parks refusing to give up her bus seat appears on the verso in b&w; on the recto, the modern child smiles and waves in full color on a present-day bus. In another, an image of three Black children entering school under a vibrant blue sky juxtaposes a somber grayscale work of the Little Rock Nine. In this way, Collier moves between past, present, and future, with the faces of Black ancestors appearing in the child’s footsteps, then in a set of painted wings the girl wears that shows portraits of the Black revolutionaries who came before, suggesting that their work will carry her to a brighter, more peaceful future. Back matter provides detailed notes of historical scenes shown as well as a brief history of “We Shall Overcome.” Ages 4–8. (Dec.)
From the Publisher
Praise for We Shall Overcome:
A Kirkus Reviews' Best Picture Book of 2021
* "This thoughtful work of art comes together with beauty and meaning." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Uplifting and inspiring, with plenty of history for those who are ready, this makes a welcome addition to civil rights picture books." — Booklist, starred review
* “Illustrating lyrics of the civil rights protest anthem “We Shall Overcome,” Collier (All Because You Matter) demonstrates the song’s continuing significance, layering dynamic, vibrantly hued images of a contemporary Black girl’s day-to-day with grayscale drawings of meaningful events in Black history—and drawing a direct link between them.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review
"In this electrifying picture book, a famous gospel anthem connects the past and the present as it is reimagined with beautiful contemporary artwork." — Shelf Awareness
Praise for All Because You Matter, illustrated by Bryan Collier:
* "Two accomplished creators invite Black children to take up their spaces in the world... the journey from beginning to end of the book sends a message that is nurturing, nourishing, loving, and reassuring, expanding and deepening the words of the movement it echoes. Collier's trademark paint-and-collage illustrations use petal shapes with patterns and faces, blue and brown hues, and family scenes and close-ups to embody the child's growth within affectionate circles of family, community, and universe. A gem for every household." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Caldecott Honoree Collier's (Trombone Shorty) tender, close-up watercolor portraits of a growing Black boy give visual power to this celebration of young Black lives. In an author's note, Charles (Freedom Soup) writes about 'The Big Talk- — words that every Black parent must speak to their child about discrimination and violence. Lyrical verse that aims to offer 'a starting point for conversations about the racial climate in our country' underlines an important message: 'you, dear child, matter'... As a schoolchild in a green T-shirt, he faces hurdles: academic efforts go unrewarded, classmates jeer, another name is called:/ Trayvon,/ Tamir,/ Philando." Alongside these realities, Charles delivers a ringing affirmation of his life's meaning — 'Did you know that... strength, power, and/ beauty lie within you?' — as Collier shows the boy straight on, surrounded by collaged images of his ancestry. Universal declarations are often illustrated with images of many children; this book's focus on a single child brings his experience and life-and the ways they matter-right up close." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
Praise for Trombone Shorty, illustrated by Bryan Collier:
2016 Caldecott Honor Book
Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award Winner
* ""This well-told and exquisitely illustrated story of a musician with a steep career trajectory will inspire young readers to pursue their passions, despite the challenges."" — Kirkus Reviews starred review
Praise for Knock Knock, illustrated by Bryan Collier:
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner
Huffington Post Best Picture Book of the Year
ALSC Notable Children's Book
Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards Picture Book Honor
Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Books of the Year
"Bryan Collier's richly textured illustrations and the lyricism of Beaty's text — with its echoes of spoken-word poetry — make this story of bereavement also a story of possibility and beauty." — The New York Times Sunday Book Review
Praise for Martin's Big Words, illustrated by Bryan Collier:
Caldecott Honor Book
Coretta Scott King Honor Book
ALA Notable Children's Book
New York Times Notable Book of the Year
"A stunning, reverent tribute." — School Library Journal
School Library Journal
★ 09/01/2021
Gr 1–2—Civil rights history comes alive through these historically laden and visually arresting illustrations. The text of the beloved song that has been encouraging activists for over 100 years appears across page after page; gray-toned illustrations with the look of old photographs represent true events while the protagonist, a young Black girl, makes her way to school. Walking, taking a bus, joining up with a young group of interethnic friends to the school on a street with Black Lives Matter printed across it—all these demonstrate to onlookers that the journey is not over and the need to overcome racial injustice continues today. In the back matter are "Did you notice?" questions posed by Collier to engage the audience with the images captured throughout the book, almost creating a conversation artist and reader. "Did you notice the church on pages 12 and 13?" is followed by details of the significance of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL, and the statue of Dr. King that the protagonist walks past. VERDICT Powerful scenes, outstanding for all that they capture and urgently convey, will challenge all readers to find their place in the march to a more racially just future.—John Scott, Baltimore County P.S.
FEBRUARY 2022 - AudioFile
Karen Chilton narrates this audiobook about the famous Civil Rights anthem with clarity and an uplifting sense of purpose. The orchestral accompaniment is fitting, but the omission of a complete version of the song being sung is perhaps a missed opportunity in this uniquely suited format. Chilton speaks slowly, offering time to reflect on the conviction of the lyrics she reads aloud. Two of the readings are identical except for page-turn signals. The signals are distracting, a tad too loud and long. Listeners without the benefit of the picture book will find it difficult to discern what the ambient sounds might be—although the illustrator’s notes offer some clues after the fact. Author Bryan Collier delivers his own engaging notes, which explain the song’s mixed origins: A borrowed melody was paired with hymn lyrics. L.T. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2021-07-30
Award-winning illustrator Collier sets images of the present and the past against the text of a beloved song.
Lyrics of “We Shall Overcome,” a song associated with the 1960s-era civil rights movement, are printed in orange capital letters against a strip of brown background along the bottom of each spread. The pictures tell stories, juxtaposing present-day scenes and children in full color against significant events and sites of past struggle in black and white. Endmatter explains the significance of said sites and scenes for those who may not know: the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, Rosa Parks sitting down on a bus, children integrating schools. The opening spreads feature a school-age Black child rising and getting ready for the day with a smile; the middle spreads show the child arriving at school and learning with a multiracial group of peers, a Black teacher at the head of the class. Final spreads show the child walking by a street being painted with Black Lives Matter in yellow, then small crowds standing together and painting a mural together. Collier uses collage with a multitude of faces and layers to place the times and movements in relationship, creating a powerful opportunity for comparison, reflection, and discussion about the past and present. The opening and closing spreads with the smiling child offer the hopeful message Collier reinforces in his note.
This thoughtful work of art comes together with beauty and meaning. (historical note, illustrator's note) (Picture book. 3-10)
