One thing for sure—it's been too long since I've reviewed picture books. There are some awesome, timely ones coming out. A stellar example is Traci N. Todd's Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes.
Jackie grew up an artist, encouraged by her father who owned a print shop and her expert at sewing mother. She contributed sketches and observations to her high school yearbook. She moved on to the Pittsburgh Courier, first as a columnist, and then a cartoonist. During the Great Migration when thousands of Blacks moved North she created a character, Torchy Brown, a woman seeking to make her way in Harlem.
After World War II things were really bad for the Blacks who had fled to the North. They were not welcome in jobs taken back by returning white veterans or in places beyond their crowded neighborhoods. While other Black women picketed, taught, and marched Jackie fought back by a spirited cartoon character named Patty-Jo. She also raised money for causes dear to her heart.
Not everyone was a fan. Her efforts to improve conditions for marginalized people has her labelled a radical and a subversive. For ten years she was investigated by J. Edgar Hoover's F. B. I.!!!
Shannon Wright's bold, colorful illustrations really pop, helping the narrative spring into vivid life.
On a purrrsonal note, on days Eugene works late I've started fixing simple suppers—Nothing that involves frying or sharp knives. The goal is to have something ready to come out of the oven when he gets home. I let him get the food out of the oven. I don't think he wants supper ending up on the floor.
A great big shout out goes out to Eugene.
Jules Hathaway
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