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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Nelson, Kadir. HEART AND SOUL: THE STORY OF AMERICA AND AFRICAN AMERICANS. By Kadir Nelson. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 2011. ISBN 9780061730740 2. SUMMARY

Kadir Nelsons book HEART AND SOUL is a story told through the eyes of an African American everywoman sharing her historical journey. She explains how her ancestors helped build Americas foundation, Africans had come to America as laborers with the Spanish in Florida in 1565, and about sixty years later with the English in Virginiato do the work of building the coloniesif you really want to know the truth honey, we are much of the reason they would later have a chance to fight for their liberty in the first place. Her engaging historical account leads the reader through many pivotal events from the Civil War to the Civil Rights movement along with details of how her own family was affected. 3. CRITICAL ANAYLIS

Nelsons 100 plus page book includes awe-inspiring paintings that could easily be placed in an art gallery. These portraits exude emotion from the somber tone of a young slave to the strength of Frederick Douglass to the exuberance of a Big Band leader to of the pride of a Tuskegee pilot. HEART AND SOULs illustrations could stand alone but the honest history that is shared provides a sturdy mantle. This history is reinforced with a timeline, bibliography, and index which can be used by children independently or as a way for parents to begin discussions on African American history. Many of Nelsons paintings include beautiful nature scenes such as the sturdy but lonely tree labeled the Whipping tree. Like the beautiful tree, this African American historical account has deep roots and has endured many cold winters as well as summery blue skies. 4. REVIEW EXCERPTS

2012 Coretta Scott King Author Award and Illustrator Honor Award Kirkus review starred The narrator guides readers through major events in American history through the perspective of, first, enslaved people, then those legally free but hindered by discrimination and, finally, citizens able to fully participate in American life following the Civil Rights Movement. As with any work by this talented artist, the accompanying illustrations are bold and arresting. The dramatic oil paintings heighten the dignity of this story, whether they are of well-known historical figures, common folk or landscape. Booklist review- starred Illustrated with 44 full-page paintings, including both portraits and panoramic spreads, this handsome volume is told in the fictionalized, informal voice of an African American senior looking back on her life and remembering what her elders told her. The tone is intimate, even cozy, as the speaker addresses a contemporary honey chile and shares historical accounts that sometimes take a wry view of inequality: about a journey north, for example, she observes that Jim Crow has made the trip right along with us.

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Connections

Gather other Kadir Nelson authored/ illustrated books to read such as: Nelson, Kadir. WE ARE THE SHIP. ISBN 978-0786808328 Levine, Ellen. HENRYS FREEDOM BOX: A TRUE STORY FROM THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. ISBN 9780439777339 Luther King Jr., Martin. I HAVE A DREAM. ISBN 9780375858871

Read THE TRUE STORY OF RUBY BRIDGES: SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION PAPERBACK by Robert Coles and illustrated by George Ford and have students write a story from the point of view someone such as Rosa Parks or Jackie Robinson. Coles, Robert. THE TRUE STORY OF RUBY BRIDGES: SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION PAPERBACK. ISBN 9780439472265

Use as an introduction to a history unit on the Civil War. Use with a history unit on the Civil Rights Movement.