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Genie in the Jar
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From: Megan Lambert <lambertmegan>
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2002 17:08:29 -0700 (PDT)
I am moved to write to the list for the first time in order to enter the discussion on Chris Raschka. His music-inspired books are among my favorites, and I would like add Genie in the Jar to those already mentioned. Written by poet Nikki Giovanni as a tribute to musician and activist Nina Simone, this picture book captures the essence of Simone's life work to celebrate and defend African American life and culture.
In the jacket's illustrator bio, Raschka credits his choice of brown Fabriano Ingres paper as the key to his artistic achievement in this book. Rather than washing out the characters, or making it difficult to see their individual figures, the placement of the brown-skinned women and girls who populate this story against brown paper backgrounds speaks to the strength that they find within their own community. They draw strength from being in their own element.
So, add Genie to the list that already includes Charlie Parker, Mysterious Thelonius, John Coltrane's Giant Steps, and Simple Gifts. And while you're at it, get ahold of Simone's marvelous and moving collection
"A Little Sugar in My Bowl" and listen to her celebrated ballad "To Be Young Gifted and Black." This song calls out to Black youth, "There's a world waiting for you, yours is the quest that's just begun--" the very message that lies at the center of Giovanni and Raschka's picture book collaboration.
Megan Lambert
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Received on Sun 20 Oct 2002 07:08:29 PM CDT
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2002 17:08:29 -0700 (PDT)
I am moved to write to the list for the first time in order to enter the discussion on Chris Raschka. His music-inspired books are among my favorites, and I would like add Genie in the Jar to those already mentioned. Written by poet Nikki Giovanni as a tribute to musician and activist Nina Simone, this picture book captures the essence of Simone's life work to celebrate and defend African American life and culture.
In the jacket's illustrator bio, Raschka credits his choice of brown Fabriano Ingres paper as the key to his artistic achievement in this book. Rather than washing out the characters, or making it difficult to see their individual figures, the placement of the brown-skinned women and girls who populate this story against brown paper backgrounds speaks to the strength that they find within their own community. They draw strength from being in their own element.
So, add Genie to the list that already includes Charlie Parker, Mysterious Thelonius, John Coltrane's Giant Steps, and Simple Gifts. And while you're at it, get ahold of Simone's marvelous and moving collection
"A Little Sugar in My Bowl" and listen to her celebrated ballad "To Be Young Gifted and Black." This song calls out to Black youth, "There's a world waiting for you, yours is the quest that's just begun--" the very message that lies at the center of Giovanni and Raschka's picture book collaboration.
Megan Lambert
__________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Y! Web Hosting - Let the expert host your web site http://webhosting.yahoo.com/
Received on Sun 20 Oct 2002 07:08:29 PM CDT
