A stunning artist who educated children and the first female meteorologist who refused to quit! Two picture book biographies to inform and inspire.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Celebrate the life-changing power of art in this inspiring and stunningly illustrated picture book biography of American artist Alma Thomas.
Meet an incredible woman who broke down barriers throughout her whole life and is now known as one of the most preeminent painters of the 20th century. Told from the point of view of young Alma Thomas, readers can follow along as she grows into her discovery of the life-changing power of art.
As a child in Georgia, Alma Thomas loved to spend time outside, soaking up the colors around her. And her parents filled their home with color and creativity despite the racial injustices they faced. After the family moved to Washington DC, Alma shared her passion for art by teaching children. When she was almost seventy years old, she focused on her own artwork, inspired by nature and space travel.
In this celebration of art and the power of imagination, Jeanne Walker Harvey and Loveis Wise tell the incredible true story of Alma Thomas, the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum in New York City and to have her work chosen for the White House collection. With her bold and vibrant abstract paintings, Alma set the world ablaze with color.
Ablaze with Color includes extensive backmatter with photos, an author's and illustrator's note, a timeline, and a list of sources and resources, which will be a great tool for parents, educators, and librarians. Perfect for Women's History Month and Black History Month units alongside such favorites as Malala's Magic Pencil, Hidden Figures, and Mae Among the Stars.
REVIEW
Alma Thomas's unique painting style is beautifully highlighted by Loveis Wise in this picture book biography of the famous artist. Growing up in Georgia exposed Alma not only to segregation and it's unfairness but also to the rich colors of nature. With the encouragement of her parent's Alma developed her love of art and creativity and after graduating from college became a teacher to pass it on to others. After decades spent teaching, she finally gave herself completely to her art producing paintings that would be displayed in museums, gallery's, and even the White House. This lovely book shares with readers Thomas's dedication to not only her art, but to helping children develop their love of art also. Harvey's text is beautifully complimented by Wise's stunning artwork. The fantastic backmatter includes an author's note, illustrator's note, photographs, a timeline, and bibliography. A great addition to any collection.
ABOUT THE BOOK
An inspiring picture book about the meteorologist whose discoveries helped us understand how weather works. When Joanne Simpson (1923-2010) was a girl, she sailed her boat beneath the puffy white clouds of Cape Cod. As a pilot, she flew her plane so high, its wings almost touched them. And when World War II began and Joanne moved to the University of Chicago, a professor asked her to teach Air Force officers about those very clouds and the weather-changing winds.
As soon as the war ended, Joanne decided to seriously study the clouds she had grown to love so much. Her professors laughed. They told her to go home. They told her she was no longer needed. They told her, "No woman ever got a doctorate in meteorology. And no woman ever will."
But Joanne was stubborn. She sold her boat. She flew her last flight. She saved her money so that she could study clouds. She worked so hard and discovered so much that—despite what the professors said—she received a doctorate in meteorology. She was the first woman in the world to do so.
Breaking Through the Clouds tells the story of a trailblazing scientist whose discoveries about clouds and how they work changed everything we know about weather today.
REVIEW
Joanne Simpson refused to let the doubts of others stop her from following her passion for clouds. Coming from a difficult home life, Joanne learned early to flee to the outdoors for comfort. She learned to sail and fly at an early age. Despite assisting a skilled meteorologist, Carl-Gustar Rossby instruct soldiers heading to war about the weather, Rossby didn't think she could cut it as a meteorologist herself. No woman had ever done it. That didn't stop Simpson. She kept studying even when she was told that clouds weren't important enough to merit study. A year of dedicated work proved that clouds were far more influential and important in weather than previously thought. Simpson spent years not only studying clouds and advancing the science of meteorology but proving that women and science were not antithetical. I found it fascinating to read about Simpson's incredible work and determination as she faced off with men over not only her gender but her subject of interest. Like so many other great picture book biographies being published now, this one stands out for following a lesser known subject who refused to let circumstances dictate how she lived her life.
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