What's my only beef with the title I chose this week? The title itself. If you search the words online without the author’s name, you come up with horror films, a Star Wars tribute flic, a Bruce Springsteen book, the list goes on, and on. I’ve made it easy for you by embedding the links below. Maybe if enough of us click on them we can get the search engine to find the book first!
This is a meaty 40 page picture book. It won’t be a quick bedtime read. I hope that won’t keep readers from enjoying the Ransomes’ beautiful work.
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Title: Light in the DarknessHistorical Fiction
Author: Lesa Cline-Ransome
(her author photo with her HUGE St. Bernard is lovely)
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Publisher: Disney, Jump at the Sun, 2013
Audience: 5-9
Themes: Slavery, Education, Resilience
Opening: “Rosa.”
In the dark of our cabin I can’t see my mama, but I can feel her breath on my face in whispers.
“It’s time.”
Synopsis: Although slaves are forbidden to learn to read or write, Rosa and her mother risk their lives to attend a pit school, a large hole dug in the ground and covered with branches to avoid detection..
What I Liked about this Book: I believe that an education is the greatest gift one generation can give the next, and I felt Rosa and her mother’s passion to learn in these pages. At the price of being whipped and going without sleep, slaves struggled to get the barest education that children today take for granted. It took my breath away. Without pens or paper, the students studied and learned. Apart from the story itself, the illustrator’s dedication "to the light of his life," his wife (the author), gives a hint of the passion they brought to this project.
Activities/Resources: Watch the demo video about the artwork for this book. Starting with a blank page James Ransome shows each step in his watercolor technique, from pencil drawing, washing off sizing to final drawing. Watching the faces come alive was amazing for a non-artist like myself. The video is 14 mins in length. Make letters and numbers with twigs and leaves . Draw words in a sandbox or garden. (if you take a photo of these you could make greeting cards from this!).
This review is part of PPBF (perfect picture book Friday) where bloggers share great picture books at Susanna Leonard Hill's site. Along with tons of writing wisdom, she keeps an ever-growing list of Perfect Picture Books.
Wow, I love this book about a girl and her mother risking everything to learn to read and write. I'm a fan of historical fiction. Next Friday is the UN International Day of the Girl Child. This would fit in nicely with that theme. The demo video was fascinating. This book will go on my list.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat. I was in awe watching the video.
DeleteThis is a good book. I've heard of it before because I've seen the excellent video demonstration you linked to. Thanks for including it for your readers.
ReplyDeleteThis isn't a "fun" book, but it's a great book.
DeleteIt's great that kids get to find out about this, I bet they can hardly believe it.
ReplyDeleteI could hardly believe it, Catherine!
DeleteYou are right, Wendy. Education is a gift and a privilege. Sounds like a heart-felt book.
ReplyDeleteGood reminder of how lucky most of us are today.
DeleteI can't wait to read this book. (And watch the video on the art!)
ReplyDeleteWow, Wendy, this looks amazing. I didn't realize Disney published books like this. I always think of them as more commercial fiction. I'll have to check out the imprint.
ReplyDeleteAlso surprised this is a Disney book!
ReplyDeleteWow! my kind of book. Love historical fiction. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSounds great, Wendy. I'm adding it to my list.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds fantastic, Wendy! Thank you so much for sharing it and adding it to our list! I have had the privilege of meeting James and Lesa many times (they live near me and we often end up at book events together) and they are lovely people, very talented!
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