Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change

Writer Michelle Cook took the popular phrase Rosa sat so Martin could March, Martin marched, so Obama could run and developed it into a picture book that takes readers from the days of slavery to Obama's presidency and traced African American pioneers of change. Different illustrators capture the personage honored on each page and bring a symbolic representation of their contributions to society. With minimal text that follows a predictable pattern, this picture book biography creates the opportunity for lots of conversation with students from kindergarten through high school. For the teacher, the book provides a test of kids' historical knowledge as only the first names are given. It's the pictures that give a glimmer of what each show more person is noted for. Many are obvious - George, Rosa, Jackie, Jesse and, Thurgood (it's particularly significant to note that the symbol of blind justice behind his portrait is a black woman). Who wouldn't know that the guy pictured with the peanuts wasn't George Washington Carver? Others are less well known, e.g. Hattie. The picture shows a splash of color and a vibrant woman holding aloft an academy award. It is, of course, Hattie McDaniel who won for Gone with the Wind in 1939. The actual biographical paragraphs about each famous person appear in an appendix. This feature is particularly useful for those people about whom young listeners knew little. Another interesting feature is the biographical sketch of the myriad illustrators. Some note why they were drawn to a particular figure. Structurally, the way the book is organized shows how each person depends on those who have come before to pave the way -- akin to the oft quoted phrase: standing on the shoulders of giants. A reader/viewer can also notice that the African American struggle to triumph over diversity has made the path easier for other cultures, as shown by the Asian boy supported by the people of color who've laid the groundwork for freedom. As we discussed this book in class, someone noted that the first illustration shows many kinds of resistance: the black child learning to read and write, the slaves running away, the underground railroad showing the way. A savvy comment I really appreciated. show less

Sparsely worded but powerful timeline of African Americans who laid the foundation for those who came after them. Each page is illustrated by a different artist, but flow together beautifully.

I heartily encourage teachers to use this text for an Introduction in Black History month. This journey experience is wonderfully engaging through whimsical art rendered by 21st century artists. A simple poem, that tells the entire story of the growth from slavery to leader of this Constitutional Republic -is a uniquely inspiring story. It involves very communicative paintings of Rosa Parks to George Washington Carver. Ending with a rendering that creates a path of persons from another race enjoying civil rights and freedom born on the back of our African American community. I believe it is a great book for any age to perform projects insired by this book

Audience- 1st-5th grade
Our Children can Soar is a wonderful book that portrays the achievements of African Americans throughout the years. It is one of the best books that I have read and the words 'it is on the backs of our ancestors that every child is raised' is beautifully illustrated on the last page. The saying- 'Rosa sat so Martin could march...' is something that all generations should remember and cherish the freedom that we have today. I will read this book to all grades because the words are easy to read and the illustrations are one of a kind on each page by a different illustrator!

This picture book of few words shows the chain of historical figures instrumental in bringing to fruition the civil rights movement and carrying on the important work accomplished there, including the successful campaign of the current President of the United States, Barack Obama. Cook was inspired by the slogan, poems and chants that arose during the 2008 presidential campaign. Her words are illustrated by 12 different artists, one for each two page spread. I love the message that the work we humans do is often inspired by the work and accomplishments of those who came before us. The greatest thinkers, artists, inventors and scientists all stand on the shoulders of their predecessors. This beautiful and inspiring work is for people of show more all ages and inclinations. show less

Michelle Cook's Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change showcases the accomplishments of a number of African American heroes who were instrumental in the fight for equality in America. This book features the illustrations of 13 of the best illustrators of our time, each focusing on a portrait of one of the highlighted pioneers. I appreciate that this stunning picture book was a true collaboration, as the piece suggests that change can come when we work together. In Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barak, and the Pioneers of Change, Cook shows how one person's success paves the way for those who will continue to strive for change. In addition to introducing youth to a number of show more significant African American pioneers, the text of this book also suggests that the actions of the students will not only effect them, as individuals, but will, instead, impact the next generation.

Initially, I felt that this book was targeting a younger group of students, as a young boy appears on the cover of this picture book. However, after I read the book, I felt that it could be used in elementary as well as in secondary classrooms. In addition to teaching a lesson in history, Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change is sure to encourage discussion about our individual responsibilities to the next generation. I think it would also be interesting to use Cook's text as a model, asking students to focus on the influential people who allowed other historical events to take place. show less

This is a beautiful story about how famous African Americans have paved the way for future generations. Ending with Obama it really makes the book more culturally relevant for children of today. The ending words "so our children can soar" should really speak to anyone that reads this book.