Ellington Was Not a Street

Ellington Was Not a Street
by Ntozake Shange
illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Poet Ntozake Shange recounts her childhood memories of the many great African Americans who gather in her home. Such world changers include Paul Robeson, W.E.B. DuBois, Dizzy Gillespie, and Duke Ellington. While these great men will forever live in history, she remembers when these men were not a memory, but when they were alive and were often company in her own home. I liked this book. My daughter really liked the drawing of the little girl! They had questions about who many of the men were who were mentioned in the book. I am excited to teach them about their history so that Ellington will be more than a street name to them as well!!!

Please, Baby, Please

Please, Baby, Please

by Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee

Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

The baby girl in this book is just too cute! The book is about her and her day, which begins at 3:01 am with her mother saying, "Go back to bed baby, please, baby, please." You follow the little girl throughout her day as her parents correct her actions (not sharing a ball, writing on the wall, eating sand, teasing, splashing water in the tub, etc.) and follow with "please, baby, please." I used this book to help reinforce correct behavior. With each page we talked about what the little girl should have done.

Just the Two of Us

Just The Two Of Us

by Will Smith

Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

This book is based on Will Smith's hit song, "Just the Two of Us." I didn't recognize all the lyrics, but my husband said that the entire book consists of the lyrics to the song. I think the book was cute in how it expressed the love a father has for his son. But, I do think some of the words/lyrics were a more than I wanted my kid's exposed to at this time. I found that I skipped over some of the words (like when it talked about dating and the opposite sex). But, overall, the message is great!

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

by Kadir Nelson

Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

 

This book is so cute! It features a boy and his family with the lyrics of the old spiritual turned into a picture book. After a few pages we were singing along to the words of the song, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands." The kids had a blast trying to figure out what the next lyrics were based on the pictures, which, by the way, are awesome.

Dancing in the Wings

Dancing in the Wings

by Debbie Allen

Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

I liked this book because I could identify with it. I am tall and for the longest time I disliked my height...until I discovered basketball. Then, being tall became a GOOD thing. The same is true for the main character, Sassy, and her love for ballet. This is a story about perseverance. She is encouraged to "make her mark." Despite ridicule about her long legs and big feet, Sassy works hard and no longer has to dance in the wings, but is able to take center stage! My daughter loves this book, however, I find that I skip over some of the words because I prefer to avoid the name-calling that is exchanged between Sassy and her fellow dancers as well as between Sassy and her brother. My daughter is old enough to understand that it is not okay to call people names. However, my boys are not at that age yet. So, when reading to book to all my kids I do skip over some sentences. Overall, I really like the book and the message. I wish I would have read it when I was growing up and struggling with my height!