Author & Illustrators
A combination of biography and art history, this brilliant non-fiction book is a celebration of Faith Ringold – her storytelling, art and creativity – but does not shy away from the important context of racism, sexism and poverty she experienced in her life that is reflected in her art.
The text has a brilliant balance of biography, the development of Faith’s art (from painting, to mask making and then textiles) and the political and social history of the time, and is a fantastic model to introduce the idea that ‘art reflects life’ and that art and history are intrinsically linked.
This is a fantastic book for art leaders to add to the school library and Faith would make an amazing artist to study in KS2. However, as well as incorporating Faith Ringold into the Art curriculum, this book could equally be used in UKS2 to inspire writing, including biography and storytelling from images; or used as a supporting text alongside Faith’s children’s book, Tar Beach.
We really liked the reflection questions interspersed within the text, encouraging the reader to stop and pause and to think about the link between their own creativity and activism. Sharna Jackson and Andrea Pippins have created a visually stunning and incredibly informative text, distilling and clearly communicating complex themes.
This is an eye-catching anthology that celebrates the inspirational achievements of fifty-two trailblazing black women and men, including artists, sports legends, scientists and activists among many others. In the introduction, the author notes that “all children deserve to see themselves represented positively in stories. That’s why we’re highlighting the talent and contributions of black changemakers from around the world—for readers of all backgrounds to discover.”
Each page contains a short biography of an influential figure, perfectly accessible in language and length to suit primary-aged children. The text on each page is set against a brightly-coloured background containing a dynamic portrait of the featured individual, accentuated by colours and patterns – such as crowns and stars – that add to the celebratory feel of the book.
review
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?
yes
Curriculum links (if relevant)
Curriculum links (if relevant)
Any other comments
Any other comments