This post is in partnership with The Children’s Book Review and Jeanne Walker Harvey.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrated by Loveis Wise
Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages
Publisher: HarperCollins | ISBN-13: 9780063021891
Publisher’s Synopsis: 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.
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zCihtO
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9780063021891
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeanne Walker Harvey has been a longtime docent at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Just like Alma Thomas, Jeanne believes that art brings us joy. Her other picture books include Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines and My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden’s Childhood Journey. Jeanne studied literature and psychology at Stanford University. She lives in Northern California.
Visit her online at www.jeanneharvey.com.
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
Loveis Wise is an illustrator and designer from Washington, DC. They are currently based in Los Angeles and their work often speaks to themes of joy and liberation. Their work can be found through the New Yorker, Google, Adobe, and the New York Times.
You can find them online at www.loveiswise.com.
My Review
This most beautiful book is inspiring, entertaining, and educational. The book is the story of the life of famous artist, Alma Thomas. The girl was born in Georgia during segregation and couldn’t go to the white school, libraries, or museums. Her parent provided many books, activities, lectures, and led the community in cultural and educational events. Later, they moved to Washington, DC, where they continued to carry out community outreach. Alma followed in their footsteps after studying art in college. She loved teaching art to children in the schools of Washington, DC. Her art peaked in her later years and she was featured in major galleries and President Obama hung her painting in the White House. This book is so beautifully illustrated and young children will be inspired by her story.
TOUR SCHEDULE
| Saturday, January 15, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Monday, January 18, 2022Some the WiserA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Tuesday, January 19, 2022Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Wednesday, January 20, 2022Twirling Book PrincessA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Thursday, January 21, 2022Lisa’s ReadingA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Friday, January 22, 2022Glass of Wine, Glass of MilkA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Monday, January 25, 2022Heart to HeartA book giveaway ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Tuesday, January 26, 2022Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Wednesday, January 27, 2022Life Is What It’s CalledA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Thursday, January 28, 2022Books Are Magic TooA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Friday, January 29, 2022The Momma SpotA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Monday, February 1, 2022Writer with WanderlustA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Tuesday, February 2, 2022Me Two BooksA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Wednesday, February 3, 2022icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
| Thursday, February 4, 2022BookShelfMommaA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas |
GIVEAWAY
Enter for a chance to win a classroom set of the picture book Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas!
Three (3) winners receive:
A classroom set of Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, autographed and personalized for each student and the teacher by Jeanne Walker Harvey (no more than 30 books per set).
Ablaze with Color: Book Giveaway
Sounds like an intriguing read! Thanks for sharing your review, Lisa! Have a great weekend!
sounds great
This looks great.