Breanna J. McDaniel

Atribute to the storied lioness of the New York Public Library.

Raised in Baltimore on her grandmother’s tales, Augusta Braxton Baker (1911-1998) grew up with the deep certainty that stories are powerful. Powerful enough to make Augusta realize her true calling, “guiding children of all ages through the wide and wonderful spaces of her stories.” Powerful enough to bring her to the 135th Street Branch of the NYPL, where she introduced young readers such as James Baldwin and Audre Lorde show more to the words that would inspire them to write their own. Powerful enough to anchor Augusta’s lifelong advocacy for uplifting representations of Black people, to forge a network of educator activists from Carter G. Woodson to Charlemae Rollins, and to send Augusta around the world to teach and tell her stories. Intricate details will draw novice readers back to the pages, while more experienced readers will find a treasure trove of biographical sources. There’s thoughtfulness here in the craft and pacing of her prose, certainly; reverence, too, in the textured layers of Harrison’s mixed-media and visual storytelling. But more than anything, simple care is evident. Care for a Black librarian who sought out every gap a tale could bridge, who shattered barriers to ensure Black children would see themselves on library shelves, and whose legacy continues to this day exactly as it began—in the thrall of good stories.

The Master Storyteller returns to storytime at last. (author’s note, timeline, sources) (Picture-book biography. 4-8)

-Kirkus Review show less

I’m always on the lookout for new books illustrated by Shane W. Evans, one of my favorites. This joyous book for children aged 4-8 shows the different ways in which kids are encouraged to raise their hands from the time they are very little. (For toddlers in my family, it was the prompted response to the question, “How big are you?”)

A young girl is urged by her parents to put up her hands to greet the sun, play peek-a-boo, take a stretch, get a hug, dance, pray, play ball, and make show more “high fives” with others.

Most of the images reflect the positive aspects of being part of a family and a community. The last of the double-page spreads shows a group of people lifting their hands in advocacy for change, holding signs ranging from “Spread Love,” “Water = Life,” to “Lift Every Voice” and “Black Lives Matter.”

As the author said in an interview, she was disturbed by so many images in the media of black people with their hands raised in situations of violence and surrender; she wanted to show black children there were also many positive aspects of “hands up.” The people depicted this book are enthusiastic, supportive, and loving. A message not stated but nevertheless conveyed is that, no matter what color you are, to paraphrase Tolstoy, all happy families are much alike. If we all focused on those commonalities, the world might be a better place.

Shane Evans uses textured mixed-media watercolor and pencil illustrations in bright pastel hues that convey a mood of happiness and celebration, with a sense of dynamism and buoyancy that will cheer readers.

Evaluation: It is much more common to find books about black children set in times of the severe discrimination of Jim Crow or the horrific circumstances of slavery. Here, the author and illustrator combine to send an affirmative message about a contemporary black family that is loving, strong, and contributes in a positive way to the world around it. show less

Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller by Breanna J. McDaniel, illustrated by April Harrison, is a picture book biography of a very important Black librarian who knew the power of stories to let people know what is possible and how to rise up. Ms. Baker curated book lists of books with good African American representation (as well as writing her own) and went on to be the coordinator of children's services for the entire New York Public Library system show more (the first Black person to do so) and was hugely influential. This was an excellent book with bright, vivid, interesting mixed-media art, and I highly recommend it. I also enjoyed the author's story about the impact of her own childhood librarian. show less

This is a library book, but I enjoyed it so much that I'm going to obtain a copy for my shelf of favorite illustrated books.

Once again, finding and reading illustrated books has taught me something I did not know.

Augusta Braxton Baker was greatly impacted by her grandmother who read a lot of important stories to her, including Br'er Rabbit, Arthur and Excalibur. When she grew up, she became a wonderful teller of stories and began to make up her own tales which were read to children at the show more 135th Street branch of the New York Public Library in the 1940's in Harlem, where she became a children's librarian.

Given the time and atmosphere of there 1940's there were very few books regarding blacks and their accomplishments. The books that existed tended to depict Blacks in a derogatory fashion, depicted them in a very negative way. She truly became a director of the change to the way in which Blacks were depicted. She worked to inspire children to read books where they were shown as strong, intelligent and creative.

This then lead her to be all the more strong in her conviction to find, but also to aid Black people who were writers, illustrators, including librarians. The selection was same and led to a conviction that she could be a source of empowerment. She taught students about Aude Lore, James Baldwin, Walter Dean Myers and Tom Feelings. In time, Augusta was promoted to be the coordinator of ALL children's branches of the New York Public Library.

In addition, she strongly taught and supported educators such as Carter G. Woodson who was the founder of Black History Month. And, she used Charlemae Rollins as an inspiration who because the first Black president of the ALA.

This beautiful book tells of her achievements and is a very wonderful celebration of her accomplishments. Augusta held her grandmothers beloved learnings in her heart and began to collect knowledge when she attended the teacher's college of Albany, NY., where she was inspired by a professor who taught lessons on folk stories.

As this book notes, she was known as "The Mistress of Storytelling." Using her keen mind and the knowledge she gained, she taught classes at Columbia University, hosted radio talk shows and also was on the set of Sesame Street.

She as knows as "the woman who painted worlds with her words!"

I highly recommend this book! She became a shining example of using words as inspiration and opening minds to promote education and learning.

Five Stars show less