Mirandy and Brother Wind [School & Library Binding]

Patricia C. McKissack (Author), Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Illus. in full color."Mirandy is sure she'll win the cake walk if she can catch Brother Wind for her partner, but he eludes all the tricks her friends advise. This gets a high score for plot, pace, and characterization. Mirandy sparkles with energy and determination. Multi-hued watercolors fill the pages with patterned ferment. A treat to pass on to new generations."--(starred) Bulletin, Center for Children's Books. Cassette running time: 20 min.  

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As a prefatory note explains, this picture book was inspired by a photo of the author's grandparents winning a cakewalk"a dance rooted in Afro-American culture"and her grandfather's boast that, in her dancing, his wife had captured the wind. In the book, Mirandy determines to catch Brother Wind and have him for her partner in the upcoming junior cakewalk. She tries a number of tactics springing from folk wisdom, and finally succeeds in trapping her prey in the barn. At the contest, Mirandy chooses to dance with her friend Ezelbut, with Brother Wind to do her bidding, the two friends win the cakewalk in style. Told in spirited dialect and rendered in lavish, sweeping watercolors, this provides an intriguing look at a time gone by. As a story, however, it proves somewhat disappointing. After the colorful description of cakewalking in the author's note and the anticipation created through Mirandy's own eagerness, the brief and rather static scenes portraying the dance itself are a letdown. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3 Sultry watercolor washes in a realistic flowing style spread luxuriously and consistently over every two pages in this story set in the rural south. Young Mirandy wants to win her town's cakewalk jubilee, a festive dance contest. (According to the "Author's Note," this dance was "first introduced in America by slaves. . .and is rooted in Afro-American culture.") Everyone says that if she captures the Wind he will do her bidding, but nobody seems to know how to capture him. In the end, Mirandy does believe that she has captured Brother Wind, but she also proves that she is a true friend to clumsy Ezel. McKissack's sincere belief in the joy of living is delightfully translated into this story which concludes, "When Grandmama Beasley had seen Mirandy and Ezel turning and spinning, moving like shadows in the flickering candlelight, she'd thrown back her head, laughed, and said, 'Them chullin' is dancing with the Wind!' " A captivating story, with a winning heroine, told in black dialect. Gratia Banta, Germantown Public Library, Ohio
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• School & Library Binding
• Publisher: San Val (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0613024230
• ISBN-13: 978-0613024235
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,247,471 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lush Illustrations, November 23, 2005

By 

Library Gaga (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mirandy and Brother Wind (Dragonfly Books) (Paperback)

An effort by these two terrific professionals is bound to have many good qualities. This won a Caldecott honor designation, and rightly so. Pinkney's watercolors are intricate, absorbing, a real pleasure. The multicolored dresses of girls at a dance are especially pretty. I notice he uses two motifs in his books, chickens and quilts. Both are included here.

This book begins with an author's note on the history of the cakewalk in African American culture. The story is based on a photograph of McKissack's grandparents, who won a cakewalk in 1906 before they married. The photo was taken after they won.

Mirandy is longing to win the upcoming cakewalk, but she needs a partner. Her friend, Ezel, might fit the bill but doesn't seem too keen on participating. He teases her that he is going with another girl. Mirandy thinks she will win the contest if she can capture Brother Wind, an imaginary character drawn like a bluish white ghost. His grace and speed are what she thinks it will take to finish first. Of course, Mirandy and Ezel end up together, and win the cakewalk with their sassy moves.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Can the wind be a partner?, May 29, 1999

By 

R. D. Allison ([e-mail]) (Gainesville, Florida, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mirandy and Brother Wind (Dragonfly Books) (Paperback)

This children's book, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, is about a young and joyous African-American girl who hopes to win a prize at a cake walk by capturing the wind as her partner. The story takes place around 1900 and is a beautiful view of a happy people. The book was a 1989 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children.

3.0 out of 5 stars Recommend for older child, April 27, 2011

By 

Mom of 3 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mirandy and Brother Wind (Dragonfly Books) (Paperback)

I purchased this book for my 4 year old. The book is clearly meant for older children. I would suggest the age range is more appropriate for 6-8 year olds.