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sweetpealsd's review against another edition
4.0
Provides a very good biography for Lena Horne that ks can understand.
kikiandarrowsfishshelf's review against another edition
5.0
A very good biography of Lena Horne, fit for young children.
csd17's review against another edition
Nicely done. Although I think she made a small mistake and that Horne sang on The Muppet Show, not Sesame Street. But I could be wrong.
jmshirtz's review against another edition
5.0
Picture book biographies are hit and miss for me. I have certain expectations and when they aren't met I can be disappointed (or surprised depending on which way it goes). I look for books that don't have too much text, are formatted like a picture book (rather than nonfiction), and that TELL A STORY. I'm also picky about back matter.
This book checks all my boxes. Bonus: I was so interested in the story that I finished it without my kid. Ha! As someone who had never heard of Lena Horne before that is pretty high praise.
This book checks all my boxes. Bonus: I was so interested in the story that I finished it without my kid. Ha! As someone who had never heard of Lena Horne before that is pretty high praise.
wilde_book_garden's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful illustrations, great information, and a wonderful look at Lena Horne's many, many accomplishments.
Love the emphasis on her civil rights work in addition to her brilliant performance career.
Highly recommend!
CW: Racism
Love the emphasis on her civil rights work in addition to her brilliant performance career.
Highly recommend!
CW: Racism
tashrow's review
5.0
Born into a family of educators and activists, Lena Horne grew to be an African-American star and civil rights activist. As a child, Lena’s parents dreamed of making it big. Her father was a street hustler and her mother was an actress. As a small child, she was left with her grandmother in Brooklyn while her parents sought their fortune. From her grandmother, Lena learned about the value of education, good manners, and black pride. But soon Lena’s mother returned and took Lena on the road with her. During the Great Depression, her mother decided to put Lena on stage. Lena soon outshone her mother, becoming the first African-American actress to get a studio contract. She eventually also found her voice in the civil rights movement.
Weatherford shows Horne as a small child torn between the dreams of her grandmother and her mother. Then in the middle of the book, a transformation happens and Lena takes to the stage, becoming a star. The book beautifully weaves together the two dreams of grandmother and mother, showing how Horne’s life honors them both and how her career evolved to become large enough to encompass everyone’s wishes. Weatherford uses text carefully and deftly, making sure that the book remains readable by younger readers. There is a feeling of verse to her prose that invites readers in.
Zunon’s illustrations are done in oil paint and cut paper collage. The paper collage adds patterns and texture to the images. The paintings provide the people, expressions, and emotions. They show Horne growing and changing, transforming before the reader’s eyes into a star.
This is a gorgeous picture book biography honoring a woman who broke new ground in civil rights using her career and her voice. Appropriate for ages 6-8.
Weatherford shows Horne as a small child torn between the dreams of her grandmother and her mother. Then in the middle of the book, a transformation happens and Lena takes to the stage, becoming a star. The book beautifully weaves together the two dreams of grandmother and mother, showing how Horne’s life honors them both and how her career evolved to become large enough to encompass everyone’s wishes. Weatherford uses text carefully and deftly, making sure that the book remains readable by younger readers. There is a feeling of verse to her prose that invites readers in.
Zunon’s illustrations are done in oil paint and cut paper collage. The paper collage adds patterns and texture to the images. The paintings provide the people, expressions, and emotions. They show Horne growing and changing, transforming before the reader’s eyes into a star.
This is a gorgeous picture book biography honoring a woman who broke new ground in civil rights using her career and her voice. Appropriate for ages 6-8.
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