Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit [Hardcover]

Kadir Nelson (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

The black and white images throughout are personal reflections, uniquely felt and rendered by award winning artist Kadir Nelson. They are accompanied by the uplifting words of Barack Obama and commemorate the movement and the moment that have changed our history. It's a celebration of the power of inspiration. It's a celebration of how far we have come and how determined we are to look ahead. It's a celebration of pride, hope and joy personally felt and publically shared.

Most of all it's a celebration of the 44th president - a new president and a new chapter in the American story.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1 Up—Weaving Obama's words with his own extraordinary graphite drawings, Nelson has created a moving celebration of the election of our 44th president. The opening pages set the stage for the change that is inspiring America, with simple lines of voters drawn across the spreads of this small book: "It's the answer told by lines/that stretched around schools and churches/in numbers this nation has never seen." In "A Note from the Artist," Nelson explains his motivation for creating this beautiful book: "I hope the artwork will remind all who see it of the greatness of our country and its ability to grow and change for the better." The book's powerful, optimistic message will continue to remind Americans about who we are as a nation and what we can accomplish together: "This is your victory. Change has come to America." A worthy addition.—Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI
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About the Author

Kadir Nelson is the widely acclaimed illustrator of many books for children, including Thunder Rose, written by Jerdine Nolen, which received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award; Ellington Was Not a Street, written by Ntozake Shange, which received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award; and Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life, written by Jerdine Nolen, which won the 2005 Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. He is also the illustrator of Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordan's Salt in His Shoes and Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee's Please, Baby, Please and Please, Puppy, Please. Mr. Nelson lives with his family in San Diego, California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (January 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416989552
• ISBN-13: 978-1416989554
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,351,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kadir Nelson's award-winning books include Ellington Was Not a Street by Ntozake Shange, which won the Coretta Scott King Award and was an ALA Notable Children's Book; and Just the Two of Us by Will Smith, which received an NAACP Image Award. Mr. Nelson lives in San Diego, California, with his wife and two daughters.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling!, January 7, 2010

By 

Ann Dettwiler "ald" (Madison, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit (Hardcover)

This book provides insight into the thrill of the author on the evening he realized Barack Obama would become the next United States president. As a white United States adult senior citizen, I get goosebumps every time I page through this little book. Kadir Nelson had the drive and the desire to share his excitement on this most historic night -- it's a book that I will read and show to my grandchildren because it not only showcases his incredible art, it beautifuly describes (with Obama's words) a first-time change in the history of the United States of America. All school libraries should have this book in their collection.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A memory into the future, March 18, 2009

By 

F. Campbell (Florida) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit (Hardcover)

This is a lovely little book with marvelous black ink drawings that beautifully memorialize events leading to the election of our first black President. Parts of Barack Obama's speeches are interspersed in this "to keep" book. I wanted more, a bigger book, more writing, more pictures, but this is just the beginning. May this feeling of hope follow with actions that will revive our country and its peoples.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful pairing, February 19, 2009

By 

J. Moore "hierophant" (Garden of Earthly Delights) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

First, I appreciate the fact that this work is published as juvenile fiction. Despite the fact that juveniles can't vote, they are ultimately arguably the most by the political events in the country. It is important to instill a sense of enfranchisement that will hopefully lead them to actively participate in the electoral process as adults.

Obviously, Obama-mania has struck the world, but I find this book not be a cheap addition to the Franklin Mint plate set featuring the president's mug. The words are indeed inspiring, but the drawings are intimate, evocative, and personal.

The illustrations lead the reader through the words and give a real sense of what the "feeling on the street" was during this historic time. This will make a neat gift for a young reader, as I'm sure many adults will enjoy it as well.