The Beatitudes: From Slavery to Civil Rights [Hardcover]

Carole Boston Weatherford (Author), Tim Ladwig (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 13, 2009 | Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

With the text of the biblical Beatitudes as an undercurrent, the story of the civil rights movement is told in lyrical text and stirring illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1–6—Weatherford uses the Beatitudes (Mathew 5: 3–12 KJV) as backdrop for a powerful, beautifully produced book. In free verse, she relates the story in first person—"I am the Lord your God,"—tracing the African-American journey from slavery through the Civil Rights Movement to the inauguration of Barack Obama. Each page begins, "I was with…" as Weatherford focuses on a particular person (Harriet Tubman, Marian Anderson, Emmett Till, Martin Luther King, Jr.) or an event (slave ships, freedom rides, right-to-vote movement). Verses, short and meaningful, carry forth a poignant message, reinforced by Ladwig's inspired, richly hued, expressive illustrations. The words of the Beatitudes, which are printed in their entirety at the book's beginning, run across the bottoms of the pages in softly colored type, making a constant connection to the pictures. In addition, the artist's choice of perspective is exemplary: angry white hecklers back an image of a hopeful-looking Ruby Bridges; Lincoln looks down on a crowded Mall as Marian Anderson sings to the throngs, and Martin Luther King, Jr., gazing into a reflecting pool, sees the smiling faces of two girls (one black and one white). Regardless of race or religion, this is a book to share with today's children who live in a discordant world too often lacking in kindness and civility.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MA
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From Booklist

Using the Beatitudes of blessings found in the Sermon on the Mount as an underpinning, Weatherford (Becoming Billie Holiday, 2009) highlights the faith that bolstered the African American struggle for freedom and civil rights. Running along the bottom of the pages, the words serve as a refrain to punctuate Ladwig’s elegant watercolors and lend a dreamlike quality to the stirring depictions. The art begins with a portrayal of an anonymous man enduring the Middle Passage, a single beam of light falling across his still-hopeful face, and ends with the much-anticipated inauguration of President Obama. This powerful picture book charts the progress of African Americans in the U.S. in much the same manner as Michelle Cook’s Our Children Can Soar (2009). However, instead of a relay race–style handoff of accomplishments, Weatherford’s text illustrates the spiritual presence in the lives of those making a difference. Whether “ringing the church bells” or “beating the drum for freedom,” the Lord was with them. Grades 2-4. --Courtney Jones

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 36 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (November 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802853528
• ISBN-13: 978-0802853523
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #141,307 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #39 in Books > Children's Books > Religions > Inspirational

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children, February 20, 2010

By 

Yana V. Rodgers "econkids.rutgers.edu" (New Brunswick, NJ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Beatitudes: From Slavery to Civil Rights (Hardcover)

Starting with "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," the Beatitudes form the beginning of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. This new children's book uses those blessings to motivate a powerful poem describing how African Americans found hope and inspiration during pivotal points in time from slavery to the Civil Rights movement. The book also highlights some of the important contributions of courageous spiritual, educational, and political leaders in the movement for racial equality and social justice. Striking watercolor and pastel paintings further add to the richness of this book, making it an excellent resource for teaching not only black history, but also the interplay between economics and religion.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars gorgeous book on the African-American journey in the U.S., February 21, 2011

By 

M. Tanenbaum (Claremont, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Beatitudes: From Slavery to Civil Rights (Hardcover)

This inspiring picture book for all ages uses the Beatitudes--the famous lines that begin Jesus' Sermon on the Mount--as the background for a trip through African-American history, particularly as faith has influenced the quest for freedom and equal rights through different eras. Award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford uses free verse text to describe God's omnipresent role throughout the long struggle, beginning with the voyage on slave ships to America and ending with Barack Obama taking the presidential oath.

Here's an example of her moving verse:

I was with the U.S. Colored Troops
who fought to end slavery during the Civil War.
I beat the drum for freedom.

I was with Booker T. Washington
and Mary McLeod Bethune, who built colleges
and lit the way for young minds.
I was the lamp.

Carole Boston Weatherford's text is enhanced by stirring watercolor and pastel illustrations by Tim Ladwig, who is both an artist and minister and has illustrated other picture books with biblical texts. In The Beatitudes, he depicts both famous individuals and ordinary African-Americans with the same dignity, and many of the illustrations are infused with a beautiful golden light. At the conclusion of the book are brief biographical profiles of the famous African-Americans mentioned in the text, including Ruby Bridges, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Emmett Till, Marian Anderson, Harriet Tubman, and Barack Obama.

This is a beautiful volume for any home or public library, and can be enjoyed by readers of any race or religious faith.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a beautiful book, February 2, 2011

By 

Kesha Boyce Williams (Cleveland, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Beatitudes: From Slavery to Civil Rights (Hardcover)

This book will bless any church, family or child. The illustrations are beautiful. The story is powerful and covers major points in African-American history with detail. In the back, there are bios of the people featured: Richard Allen, Marian Anderson, James Varick, Booker T. Washington, Barack Obama, Fannie Lou Hamer, just to name a few.
This book is also ideal to be read aloud or broken into parts for a recitation for young people. Each page has just a paragraph so that would be easy for any young person to memorize.

Glad we bought this book. We've already read it twice as a family!