Free Within Ourselves: The Development of African American Children's Literature

By Rudine Sims Bishop

Book Overview

Today African American childrens books in every genre are a vibrant part of any library or personal collection. Yet there are many works by African Americans from prior eras that arentwell known. In Free Within Ourselves, nationally respected expert Rudine Sims Bishop introduces you to the full beauty and power of African American childrens literature, offering insight into its rich tradition. Bishop guides you from important early works for African American children such as W.E.B. DuBois The Brownies Book, to the 1969 publication of John Steptoes Steviethe breakthrough modern African American picture bookto recent young adult fiction such as Christopher Paul Curtis popular Bud Not Buddy, winner of both the Coretta Scott King Author Award and the Newbery Medal. All along, her energetic chronicle brings to life the crucial figures who have contributed to the rise of African American childrens literature and delves deep into the plot, characters, and themes of their most popular and teachable works. The result is an unparalleled treasury of ideas and information for teaching with African American childrens literature. Across genres, in poetry, picture books, and contemporary and historical fiction, Black authors and artists have created a body of childrens literature that celebrates the strengths of family; bears witness to the struggle for freedom, equality, and dignity; nurtures children; and honors the story as a way of teaching and knowing. Free Within Ourselves gives you all the background youll need to introduce or expand the role of African American childrens literature in your classroom; to use it for teaching reading, literature, and social studies; and to connect all students with the powerful stories of African Americans.

This title is also available as a hardcover through http: //www.greenwood.com.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0325071357
• ISBN13: 9780325071350
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 7.1" x 9.9"
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 8