Unspeakable: the Tulsa Race Massacre

Unspeakable: the Tulsa Race Massacre

by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper Picture book Illustrator and author Floyd Cooper passed away recently at the age of 65. He received a Coretta Scott King Award for his illustrations in The Blacker the Berry and 2 Coretta Scott King Honors. Starting out as a 3 year old writing on the side of his house, he grew up in low-income housing in Tulsa Oklahoma and went on to receive a scholarship for art. In 1984 he moved to New York City to pursue his career.

Known for his candid, bold, and dramatic illustrations, Cooper always remained positive and stated, “Giving kids a positive alternative to counteract the negative impact of what is conveyed in today’s media is a huge opportunity.” His picturebook collection would make a fine library for any child with subjects ranging from a normal beach trip to a special day for a ring bearer, to a more heart wrenching topic such as the civil rights movement. His hope was for children to learn about the world at large, their place in it, and how they connect with it.

When Unspeakable came out this year there was thought that this could finally be Cooper's year to win a Caldecott, the award issued to an illustrator for the "most distinguished American picture book for children" I wonder, will Floyd Cooper be the first to be awarded a Caldecott Award posthumously?

Richmond Public Library has a selection of Cooper’s work, including his 2021 Unspeakable: the Tulsa Race Massacre in a streaming video read along format. Please make a purchase suggestion if you are interested in works we don’t presently carry. UPDATE: Unspeakable won a 2022 Caldecott Honor.

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Library Lion

By Michelle Knudsen

Ms. Merriweather has strict rules in her library. When, a lion saunters into the children’s area he is allowed to stay because after all, there are no rules forbidding lions. After a nap on the pillows, he joins story time, causes quite a commotion, and is spoken to by Ms. Merriweather. With renewed understanding of the rules, the lion becomes a cherished fixture with the children and staff until one day, he must decide between keeping out of trouble and helping a friend the only way he knows how. The themes of friendship and following rules are clearly present and the outcome satisfies.

Keven Hawkes uses acrylic and pencil to complete his drawings. The illustrations work together with the text, endearing us to the lion immediately. Although the lion does not wear clothes nor stand on two feet, he nonetheless displays human body language and feelings. The colours are warm and soft golds, purples and blues, lending a cozy, safe feeling to the library environment. The pictures either share the page with the text on the left, or are vignettes on the right, beginning and ending the book with a double page spread. Expressions and humour are especially well portrayed.

Awards: NAIBA Book of the Year for Picture Book (2007)

School Library Journal’s Best Books of 2006
A New York Times best seller.

At the Same Moment, Around the World

By Clotilde Perrin 

Originally published in France as Au même instant, sur la Terre (2011)

This jam-packed, delightful concept book takes the reader around the world, exploring what different children are doing at the same moment, whether it be night or day where they live. Different cultures are examined as Benedict drinks hot chocolate, Ravshan and Yuliya return from the market on a donkey, and Pablo has magical dreams. But are they more different or more similar to one another? Early timekeeping, the invention of timekeeping, and Greenwich Mean Time are addressed in an extensive glossary. Also at the back of the book is a large pull-out map of the world that labels each character’s home.

The book is presented  in a vertical format with rich, detailed illustrations that provide clues to the unique and special characteristics of its place. There is a whimsical nature and the art is reminiscent of vintage fairy tales. The pencil drawings are colourized digitally, making the hues luxurious and the overall tone bewitching.