By Gloria DULAN-Wilson
Hello All:
HAPPY WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH & BLACK HISTORY MONTH:
Great
news!! National Geographic Magazine has established a new genre of books geared at a younger generation of readers: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS SUPER READERS -
with topics aimed at "curious kids at every reading level."
The good news is these biographies are about resilient, inspirational,
relevant Black trailblazers. The pilot project kicked off with three
books about
famous Black women who have impacted the world: Vice President Kamala
Harris, Political Activist Stacey Abrams, and the
Hon. Shirley Chisholm First Black Congresswoman
and First Black Woman to run for President of the United States,. Although the individuals focused on in this review are Black
women, the books are of interest to both genders because of
their impact on society. Additionally, NAT GEO has several other books about Black Historical figures.
More importantly, the
Nat Geo Kids books are academically designed to ensure the student's reading and
comprehension abilities are enhanced, while introducing new
vocabulary, geared to helping them build success upon success as they
learn to use new words in a variety of ways. The stories are factual,
historically engaging and inspiring to young minds as they are able to
correlate their historical accomplishments to their ongoing contemporary
activities.
The books, "Kamala Harris"
and "Stacey Abrams" are written for LEVEL 2 younger readers -
"kids who
are ready for longer sentences and more complex vocabulary, definitions
and provides incentives to become NAT GEO KID SUPER READERS - including
prizes, brain games, supercool activities, and "outrageous fun." The
average length of LEVEL 2 books is 32 pages, with medium large print. By the way, there
are also books geared to LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 3 READERS as well.
The
third book, "Speak Up! Speak Out! The Extraordinary Life of Fighting
Shirley Chisholm," is geared towards high school to young
adult readers. Well, actually, it's for all adult age levels - including
yours truly. I freely admit that I enjoyed immensely seeing the names of some familiar
Brooklynites and other New Yorkers who were contemporaries of the Great Shirley Chisholm. The
conversational tone makes you feel that you are
somewhat a first hand witness to her rise in success.
Kamala Harris by Tonya K. Grant
depicts in simple, yet easy to understand vignettes of Kamala's life
from childhood through becoming Vice President depicts her as a young
girl with both her parents; her accomplishments, new vocabulary, and
brilliantly colored pages and lettering that are sure to hold a child's
attention. There are 11 chapters less than 3 pages in length. The
historical photographs definitely will hold a child's attention. The books even start out
with a
message to the parents to encourage them to become an integral part of
their child's learning process.
Stacey Abrams by Melissa H. Mwai
takes us from Stacey Abrams running for governor of Georgia, through
her early childhood prior to moving to Atlanta, GA, through to
developing the strategies that made it possible to turn out more
Democratic voters, and assist major candidates for US Senate win big in
Georgia, through Fair Fight, the organization she established to help
voters who were being blocked from their right to vote. As with the
book on Kamala Harris, the use of colors, creative print styles,
vocabulary and definition updates and candid pictures make the book an
easy and interesting read for LEVEL 2 readers.
Both books are
reasonably priced at $4.99 each, and can be ordered through Amazon.com.
The
very title of the third book: Speak UP, Speak OUT - The EXTRAORDINARY LIFE of FIGHTING
SHIRLEY CHISHOLM by Tonya Bolden (a Coretta Scott King Honoree), tells
you this is a book about more than just the life and times of iconic
legendary Shirley Chisholm. It is more of an exhortation than a
title. And Shirley definitely lived that concept. Coming from a loving
family, where her Dad was her inspiration, who worked tirelessly to
make sure she succeeded in receiving the education she needed, she was
committed to doing and being the best in everything she tried: From
attending Brooklyn College, after the prospect of attending an Ivy League
institute didn't work out; being elected to the New York State Assembly; through co-founding the Congressional Black Caucus comprised
of Black Congressmen and women; and establishing the National
Black Women's Political Congress, and other organizations, Shirley
Chisholm has definitely left an indelible mark on the world.
In fact,
as the reader will learn, there was nothing Shirley Chisholm put her
mind to that she did not win - either directly, or indirectly. She was
truly "unbossed and unbought" - one of the slogans used during her
candidacy for president, and for which she became famous throughout her
career as an activist and elected official. She truly had an activist's heart and believed in
getting things done. In a society that is now going through the throes
of finding its own moral compass, her book will be a great inspiration
and set examples how others can come together and be a force and a
source for good in their own communities.
As I
said, this book is for more mature readers ages 12-14. However it will also inspire adults as well and those who
want to have an impact on their own and others' lives to learn from one
who did not let economic, racial, feminine or other challenges stop
her.
Ms. Bolden did a wonderful job of
recounting the life and accomplishment of Shirley Chisholm; however, she left out
one major, important point in her biographical sketch: The fact
that Ms. Chisholm was a life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,
having pledged as a student at Brooklyn College/CUNY. The Sorority
had a major,
lifelong influence in her life. It was through that ongoing affiliation
that she received a great deal of her support - financially,
publicly, morally, and creatively. They were her "boots on the ground"
each time she ran for any office, put together any program, or worked
with youth, seniors and other community issues. The great Dorothy I.
Height
(former president of the Sorority) was also a mentor and close friend.
The fonts and lettering throughout the book made it an easy read; however, in the "Notes and Sources"
section, the print was extremely too small and difficult to read -
unless you're utilizing a magnifying glass. It's rather a shame because
Ms. Bolden included so many historical cross references associated with
each chapter, but the size of the print makes it difficult for those
who do not have 20/20 vision to read it.
That said, Speak Up and Speak Out is well worth the read - and provides some real inspirational
points and twists - that speak to the tenacity, resilience, and
inspiration of the Great Shirley Chisholm. Worth the read, worth
sharing with family and friends. Parents who are concerned about their
children's education will want to include this as part of their personal
home library. Moreover, Speak Up/Speak Out should be part of classroom
texts, or additional reading, regardless of how the misguided pundits
are trying to ban books of worth that highlight the accomplishments of
Black Americans.
Want your own copy? It's attainable through Amazon for $17.95 (https://www.amazon.com/Speak-Up-Out-Extraordinary-Fighting/dp/1426372361/ref=sr_1_1?crid=32PHD5P9AAXP1&keywords=speak+up+speak+out+shirley+chisholm&qid=1646118249&sprefix=speak+up+and+speak+out%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1).
You can also find it at Walmart, and fine Black Owned Bookstores.
Purchase one for your son/daughter or grandchildren, and buy one for
yourself as well so you can read it with a highlighter in hand -
you're going to want to take copious notes.
Ms.
Shirley's favorite saying "Service is the rent we pay for the
privilege of living on this earth..." was also the favorite saying of former NYC Mayor David N. Dinkins
who was so inspired by her and often made it his closing mantra: "Service to others is the rent we pay for space in this
earth...let us not look back and find ourselves in arrears."
In
addition to the three books highlighted here, NAT Geo KIDS has several
other books that feature the accomplishments of other Black leaders.
You are going to want to get the entire collection for your family
library. Don't have a Family Library? Consider starting one. The age
of computer technology should not mitigate the need to read books.
Books are the very foundation of knowledge and education. Instilling a
love of reading at an early age in our children can set them on the path
to success for the rest of their lives. Kudos to the three wonderful
authors, who themselves are part of Women's History; and to National Geographic for providing these wonderful options for
good reads in the homes and, hopefully, our schools.
I
started reviewing these books during Black History Month and realized
that these three wonderful women have also made contributions as Black
Women in History - as do so many of our Sheroes. There are so many more
who have likewise made huge sacrifices and contributions to Black
people - and we do well to honor them - not only during these two
significant months, but year round. They are a vital part of our
heritage and legacy.
NOW THAT YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
 |
| Gloria DULAN-Wilson |
