Rosa

by Nikki Giovanni and Illustrated by Bryan Collier Published by Henry Holt and Company 2005 34 Pages Genre: Non-fiction picture book Awards: Coretta Scott King Ward, and Caldecott Honor Summary: As we learn the story of Rosa Parks, we see in beautiful pictures how her mother had been sick at the time of this experience. We learn that she had been sent home early that day, from work. On December 1. She was so tired of life not changing that she wouldn't stand for it any more. We learn that the funeral of Emmett Till. His mother had an open casket after he was viciously lynched. Right after Rosa was arrested, 25 women went and borrowed the stencil maker and printer of Alabama State without permission. They didn't worry though, because if Rosa could stand up, they would stand up with her. The words the printed inspired the colored community to walk, and abandon the buses for a full year until a law was passed that changed the circumstances with the segregated buses. My Reaction: This was a wonderful book about Rosa Parks. I learned a few new things I had no idea about. I had no idea that so many women were in on the idea to keep everyone of the buses and print posters. I was really impressed. Potential Problems: This book does talk about murder and segregation a bit. Recommendations: I think this would be wonderful for kids to use as a reference book. Not technically as good as a biography but very good for basic facts.