Cover Image

Flying free : how Bessie Coleman's dreams took flight

by Parsons, Karyn, 1968-

Format: Print Book 2020
Availability: Available at 3 Libraries 3 of 5 copies

Available (3)
Location Collection Call #
Carnegie Library of McKeesport Children Biography J B C677p
Location  Carnegie Library of McKeesport
 
Collection  Children Biography
 
Call Number  J B C677p
 
 
Penn Hills Library Juvenile Non-Fiction CHILDREN BIO 92 COL
Location  Penn Hills Library
 
Collection  Juvenile Non-Fiction
 
Call Number  CHILDREN BIO 92 COL
 
 
Sewickley Public Library Juvenile Biography J B COLEMAN 2020
Location  Sewickley Public Library
 
Collection  Juvenile Biography
 
Call Number  J B COLEMAN 2020
 
 
 
Unavailable (2)
Location Collection Status
Coraopolis Memorial Library Juvenile Picture Books CHECKED OUT
Location  Coraopolis Memorial Library
 
Collection  Juvenile Picture Books
 
Status  CHECKED OUT
 
 
Northland Public Library Children's Biography CHECKED OUT
Location  Northland Public Library
 
Collection  Children's Biography
 
Status  CHECKED OUT
 
 

Summary
Based on Karyn Parson's critically acclaimed Sweet Blackberry video series comes the story of Bessie Coleman, the first African American female to earn her pilot's license.
Before Bessie Coleman blazed a high trail with her plane . . . Before she performed in death-defying flying shows that would earn her fame as "Queen Bess" . . . Before she traveled the country speaking out against discrimination, Bessie was a little girl with a big imagination that took her to the sky, through the clouds, and past the birds.
Knocking down barriers one by one, Bessie endured racism and grueling training to become the first black female pilot and an inspiration to Mae Jemison, Josephine Baker, and many more influential people of color for years to come.
Published Reviews
Booklist Review: "The daughter of Texas sharecroppers, Bessie Coleman was inspired by stories of aviators, especially American Harriet Quimby. As an adult, Bessie moved to Chicago for work and eventually traveled to Paris, where she earned her pilot's license. After returning to Chicago, she performed mid-air stunts in flying exhibitions and fought racism by insisting on integrated venues. Parsons' succinct biography of this daring Native and African American woman is delivered in quatrains that include the refrain: "Black bird. Black girl. / Shine bright for the whole world. / Show your spark. Show your twirl. / Let those beautiful wings unfurl!" Parsons' emphasis is on Coleman's drive to succeed and her efforts to overcome the obstacles faced by women of color. Christie's digitally enhanced acrylic-gouache illustrations feature bold colors, abstract backgrounds, and characters with elongated limbs, as well as the eponymous black bird cited in the refrain. The text includes no dates and omits mention of Coleman's untimely plane-crash death, but a listing of female aviator accomplishments and creator notes provide context for this worthy introduction.Women in Focus: The 19th in 2020"
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Publisher's Weekly Review: "Stemming from Parsons's Sweet Blackberry series of animated films featuring Black heroes, this biography introduces Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to earn her pilot's license, against daunting odds. A star student at her rural Texas school, Bessie is enthralled to learn about Harriet Quimby, the first American woman pilot, and is determined to follow in her path. She juggles multiple jobs to help finance a trip to France, where she becomes a pilot in 1921 before returning to the U.S. to perform daring stunts at flying shows while pursuing another mission: fighting racism. While the verses' cadence and rhyme sometimes falter, and the tale neglects to mention the figure's Native American descent, Christie's stylized illustrations bring life to Coleman's trailblazing achievements. Ages 4--8. (Dec.)"
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Additional Information
Series Sweet blackberry book.
Subjects Coleman, Bessie, -- 1892-1926 -- Juvenile literature.
African American women air pilots -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.
Air pilots -- United States -- Biography -- Juvenile literature.
Publisher New York :Little, Brown and Company,2020
Edition First edition.
Contributors Christie, R. Gregory, 1971- illustrator.
Audience Ages 4-8
Language English
Description 1 volume (unpaged) : illustrations (some color) ; 23 x 29 cm.
ISBN 9780316457194
0316457191
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