October 16, 2010 marks the 15th Anniversary of the Million Man March, an event where African-American men from all over the country came together in the spirit of atonement, reconciliation, and responsibility.
BBS’s Kelly Starling Lyons attended the march and is the author of the picture book, One Million Men and Me—a tender story told from the perspective of a girl who accompanies her father on the trip to DC. Kelly’s lyrical prose renders a wonderfully accessible tale for young readers.
Beginning October 5, Kelly will be on a blog tour (see schedule below). She’ll also feature interesting facts about the Million Man March and/or her picture book, each day through October 16 at her blog, Kuumba.
The fifteenth anniversary is a milestone…and an opportune time to educate children about this historic event. One Million Men and Me is a perfect book with which to start.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOAvCe8vjMA]
BLOG TOUR:
October 5 Together AsOne
October 6 The 3 R’s – Reading, ‘Riting and Research
The John T. Wills Book Tree Radio Show
(evening interview)
October 7 Multiculturalism Rocks!
Literary Nation Talk Radio with Patrick Oliver
(interview)
October 8 Ripples from the Tide Pool
October 9 Bronx Latino
Tribute to Novello — featured panelist
October 10 Laurie J. Edwards – Author, Artist and Dreamer
(6 p.m. interview, along with illustrator Peter Ambush)
October 11 Devas T. Rants & Raves!
(interview with illustrator Peter Ambush)
October 12 Scribbly Katia
October 13 Mitali’s Fire Escape
October 14 Kristi’s Book Nook
October 15 Bowllan’s Blog
All Booked Up Used Books & Collectibles
(4:30 p.m. Reading & Meet the Author event)
October 16 15th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MILLION MAN MARCH
International Civil Rights Center & Museum
(11 a.m. Storytime & Reading Hour)
October 18 August Wilson Center for African American Culture
6 p.m. March Anniversary Program
THE BUZZ ON One Million Men and Me:
CCBC 2008, Cooperative Children’s Book Center’s best-of-the-year list
2009 Youth Top Ten pick, Detroit Public Library’s African American Booklist
2008 Bronze Moonbeam Book Awards Medal, Multicultural Picture Book category
Accelerated Reader and Scholastic Reading Counts! Title
“[Lyons] begins, ‘My cousin, Omari, said no girls were allowed. But Daddy took me.’ …The description of the faces as ‘a rainbow of chocolate, graham cracker brown and cream’ is accompanied by a spread depicting men of different ages, dress styles, and color, but their expressions of pride and hope are the same… An author’s note includes additional historical facts about the march. This story might prove useful as an introduction to black history or to engage students’ interest in social issues.” – School Library Journal
“One Million Men and Me… is a moving tribute to the Million Man March told through the shared experience of a father and daughter…the touching story is an insightful read for parents who want to teach their children about the historic march on Oct. 16, 1995.”—Ebony Magazine
“One Million Men and Me should be placed in every school around the world so children can see a page in Black history that is not so far in the past…It would be a great buy for educators and parents alike.” –New Pittsburgh Courier
“…The tone is strongly inspirational, and Ambush’s realistic double-page spreads, which make particularly good use of close-ups, portray the child and her daddy against the big scenes of the crowds “united and strong.” Words and pictures celebrate the diversity of individual black men… The sense of tradition is apparent….” –Booklist
“… Readers can feel the excitement and solidarity as they read and soak in the illustrations… Her use of imagery, with terms like “cotton candy clouds”, is the perfect complement for the warm illustrations of Peter Ambush.”—RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
“…Kelly Starling Lyons’ book One Million Men and Me, is a special peek at the relationship of a father and a daughter. It celebrates that special relationship while also celebrating an important gathering of African American men. With riveting illustrations and straightforward prose, this is a book that will bring history home to a youngster, but will also make a grown up smile.”—Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Economist and Author
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