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jwmcoaching's review
3.0
This week, Juneteenth is finally getting the attention it deserves after being made a federal holiday. Many Americans probably weren't familiar with it until recently. I first learned about it and the significance it holds for Black Americans over 10 years ago when I covered a Juneteenth celebration for my local newspaper.
This is a fine (read: well done) introduction to the holiday for young readers. It reveals the significance behind the day but also the struggles and triumphs that came after for Black Americans since then. I like how it starts out with Mazie wanting small things before bed and being told "no" before the story opens into the even larger "noes" that her ancestor heard when he was a slave.
It helps children come into the narrative in a way that doesn't patronize anyone but also allows them to realize the "noes" they receive are something that came about because of a great deal of sacrifice.
This is a fine (read: well done) introduction to the holiday for young readers. It reveals the significance behind the day but also the struggles and triumphs that came after for Black Americans since then. I like how it starts out with Mazie wanting small things before bed and being told "no" before the story opens into the even larger "noes" that her ancestor heard when he was a slave.
It helps children come into the narrative in a way that doesn't patronize anyone but also allows them to realize the "noes" they receive are something that came about because of a great deal of sacrifice.
staceym's review
4.0
Good book for primary to 3rd grade about Juneteenth. Older elementary students will be able to understand the images better (ie. Obama being elected president) but the text works for all.
corncobwebs's review
Popularity/appeal rating: 3.5
Quality rating: 4
In a one-sentence nutshell:
Soft-edged paintings highlight close-ups of African-American faces as they fight for equality and celebrate Juneteenth, a day that marks the end of slavery. A good primer for young children on the fight for racial equality.
Here's a good interview with Floyd Cooper from the Horn Book.
Quality rating: 4
In a one-sentence nutshell:
Soft-edged paintings highlight close-ups of African-American faces as they fight for equality and celebrate Juneteenth, a day that marks the end of slavery. A good primer for young children on the fight for racial equality.
Here's a good interview with Floyd Cooper from the Horn Book.
backonthealex's review
5.0
I was pretty excited when I heard that Floyd Cooper was going to be at BEA 2015 and more excited when I found out he would be signing copies of Juneteenth for Mazie. In fact, I was so excited that I was the first person on line. What a nice man Floyd Cooper is, and what an incredible artist and writer.
Young Mazie feels that sometimes her life is full of the word no - no cookies before bedtime, no playing outside when it's dark, no staying up late. When she tells her dad that she can't do what she wants, he begins to tell her that the next day is a celebratory day. But why, Mazie wants to know.
Her dad tells it is a day called Juneteenth, a day celebrated by her family and many others because it is the day that the slaves in Texas were told they were finally free. And for Mazie, it is the day her great-great-great-grandfather Mose became a free man.
And though there was dancing in the streets on June 19, 1865, these former slaves, like the former slaves all over the country, discovered that freedom comes with a price. Yes, they were now paid for the work that they did, but black people weren't treated equally, they had to fight for jobs, schools, for every opportunity, but Black Americans have achieved great things, right up to the highest office in the country when Barack Obama was elected. And so they celebrate every year on Juneteenth. And Mazie will carry on the tradition.
Cooper's book is a great straight-forward telling of the Juneteenth story. It is given a nice personal touch by relating it to Mazis's own family (and this will no doubt encourage young readers to ask about their family history). Freedom is certainly something to celebrate, but unfortunatley, the history of Black American's freedom and equality is also such a rocky, rocky road, and Cooper includes that in his story, though he does end on an upbeat celebratory note.
This is an ideal book for introducing young readers to Juneteenth, a story not many kids outside of Texas may know about. And 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth. The Emanaipation Proclamation, signed by President Lincoln, went into effect in 1863, but news did not travel fast in those days and slaves and slave owners in Texas didn't hear about it until two years later, on June 19, 1865 (though in all fairness, I have to say that the reason for this delay is in contention).
As always, Cooper's story is accompanied by his beautiful oil painted illustrations, using a soft palette of browns, blues and yellows. The illustrations both enhance and extend the story being told.
It is a shame that this year's Juneteenth celebration is marred by the horrific church shooting in Charleston, SC, but it is also a reminder of the need for books like Juneteenth to educate young readers and to help in the healing process.
You can discover more about Juneteenth, HERE
This book is recommended for readers age 6+
This book was received at BEA from the publisher, Capstone Press
This review was origianlly posted on Randomly Reading
Young Mazie feels that sometimes her life is full of the word no - no cookies before bedtime, no playing outside when it's dark, no staying up late. When she tells her dad that she can't do what she wants, he begins to tell her that the next day is a celebratory day. But why, Mazie wants to know.
Her dad tells it is a day called Juneteenth, a day celebrated by her family and many others because it is the day that the slaves in Texas were told they were finally free. And for Mazie, it is the day her great-great-great-grandfather Mose became a free man.
And though there was dancing in the streets on June 19, 1865, these former slaves, like the former slaves all over the country, discovered that freedom comes with a price. Yes, they were now paid for the work that they did, but black people weren't treated equally, they had to fight for jobs, schools, for every opportunity, but Black Americans have achieved great things, right up to the highest office in the country when Barack Obama was elected. And so they celebrate every year on Juneteenth. And Mazie will carry on the tradition.
Cooper's book is a great straight-forward telling of the Juneteenth story. It is given a nice personal touch by relating it to Mazis's own family (and this will no doubt encourage young readers to ask about their family history). Freedom is certainly something to celebrate, but unfortunatley, the history of Black American's freedom and equality is also such a rocky, rocky road, and Cooper includes that in his story, though he does end on an upbeat celebratory note.
This is an ideal book for introducing young readers to Juneteenth, a story not many kids outside of Texas may know about. And 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of Juneteenth. The Emanaipation Proclamation, signed by President Lincoln, went into effect in 1863, but news did not travel fast in those days and slaves and slave owners in Texas didn't hear about it until two years later, on June 19, 1865 (though in all fairness, I have to say that the reason for this delay is in contention).
As always, Cooper's story is accompanied by his beautiful oil painted illustrations, using a soft palette of browns, blues and yellows. The illustrations both enhance and extend the story being told.
It is a shame that this year's Juneteenth celebration is marred by the horrific church shooting in Charleston, SC, but it is also a reminder of the need for books like Juneteenth to educate young readers and to help in the healing process.
You can discover more about Juneteenth, HERE
This book is recommended for readers age 6+
This book was received at BEA from the publisher, Capstone Press
This review was origianlly posted on Randomly Reading
scostner's review
4.0
I always enjoy Floyd Cooper's beautiful illustrations and this book is no exception. As Mazie's father explains the history of Juneteenth to her, the scenes from the past fill the pages. There is her Great Great Great Grandpa Mose working in a cotton field. Here is the crowd celebrating in the streets of Galveston as the news of emancipation is announced. Some scenes are much more recent. Her father mentions, "They marched for jobs...shouted for opportunity" and we see a crowd crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. When he says, "They excelled and accomplished" there is President Obama being sworn in. The mix of past moments leading up to the present day celebration traces over 200 years of the history of the African American people. By explaining to Mazie what she will be celebrating and why, her father also explains the tradition of Juneteenth to readers of the story.
This would make a good read-aloud to accompany a unit on Civil Rights. The way the story begins with Mazie being upset at being told, "No," and then shows how Grandpa Mose heard that word so much more during his life, makes it an easy introduction to the topic for even very young students.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
This would make a good read-aloud to accompany a unit on Civil Rights. The way the story begins with Mazie being upset at being told, "No," and then shows how Grandpa Mose heard that word so much more during his life, makes it an easy introduction to the topic for even very young students.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
10_4tina's review
4.0
I loved the way the story was written as a personal story told to a sweet girl. This story needs to be repeated.
I’m especially aware of the significance of this historical day given today’s cultural context and as a new-ish Texas resident very aware of how Texas is often too egocentric to realize what’s going on around them. Whether they took forever to learn of the emancipation or to submit to it, they were last and late.
I loved the emphasis the book placed on both celebrating and remembering - so sacred. As a Christian this emphasis reminds me of another liberation recounted in Exodus, marked thereafter by celebration and remembrance.
I’m especially aware of the significance of this historical day given today’s cultural context and as a new-ish Texas resident very aware of how Texas is often too egocentric to realize what’s going on around them. Whether they took forever to learn of the emancipation or to submit to it, they were last and late.
I loved the emphasis the book placed on both celebrating and remembering - so sacred. As a Christian this emphasis reminds me of another liberation recounted in Exodus, marked thereafter by celebration and remembrance.
afro75's review
4.0
Juneteenth for Mazie is written and illustrated by Floyd Cooper. Mazie is a typical kid who wants to push the boundaries of her world a little bit. She gets mad when she can't eat what she wants, go outside when she wants, or stay up as late as she wants to. Her father teachers about a time when African American men and women were also not allowed to do as they liked. He explains the Juneteenth celebration to Maizie and they celebrate together.
jendewind's review
5.0
Sweet Mazie thinks her life is tough and she doesn’t like to hear “No”. Dad comforts her and says she can have all the fun she wants tomorrow when they celebrate Juneteenth. He proceeds to tell her the powerful story of their relative Mose who had to hear “No” a whole lot more than she can imagine. Until one day when he heard that the Civil War is over and so was slavery. Dad tells how the streets erupted with endless cheers and celebrations, an event which is now remembered every June 19. Equipped with some background, Mazie can now celebrate with her family, remember and follow in their footsteps by forgiving, excelling, achieving and becoming a hero.
leonicka's review
3.0
My first time reading a picture book about Juneteenth. The illustrations are lovely.