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Tar Beach
Ringgold recounts the dream adventure of eight-year-old Cassie Louise Lightfoot, who flies above her apartment-building rooftop, the 'tar beach' of the title, looking down on 1939 Harlem.
Part autobiographical, part fictional, this allegorical tale sparkles with symbolic and historical references central to African-American culture. The spectacular artwork resonates with color and texture. Children will delight in the universal dream of mastering one's world by flying over it.
Part autobiographical, part fictional, this allegorical tale sparkles with symbolic and historical references central to African-American culture. The spectacular artwork resonates with color and texture. Children will delight in the universal dream of mastering one's world by flying over it.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 605 reviews
June 18, 2019
This is a little memoir set in 1930s Harlem. The theme of flying as metaphor for freedom and being free is used to wonderful effect here. It is an African American tradition I learned from this book. Faith has written this story out of her own days of laying on the rooftop and looking at the stars on summer nights and flying over the city.
This was also made into a quilt, well it was a quilt first and then Faith developed it into this story. We see the quilt squares around the edges of the page. I think the artwork is beautiful. I love the story about flying and freedom. I always dreamed of flying as a child too, maybe for different reasons, but wanting to be free as well. It’s also the answer to the age old question, ‘what superpower would you want if you could have powers?’ Yes, I want to fly.
The niece thought this was beautiful and she liked the flying girl in the story too. She gave this 4 stars. The nephew thought this story was ok. He thought it was cool flying around the city, but he said it was a little boring too so he gave this 3 stars.
This was also made into a quilt, well it was a quilt first and then Faith developed it into this story. We see the quilt squares around the edges of the page. I think the artwork is beautiful. I love the story about flying and freedom. I always dreamed of flying as a child too, maybe for different reasons, but wanting to be free as well. It’s also the answer to the age old question, ‘what superpower would you want if you could have powers?’ Yes, I want to fly.
The niece thought this was beautiful and she liked the flying girl in the story too. She gave this 4 stars. The nephew thought this story was ok. He thought it was cool flying around the city, but he said it was a little boring too so he gave this 3 stars.
November 19, 2022
My 4 yr old granddaughter picked this book out for her first ever library book at school.
Its a picture book about a young girls dreams, for herself and her family.
A very good book for kids! Says the three granddaughters sitting next to me, who are helping me write this review....😁
Its a picture book about a young girls dreams, for herself and her family.
A very good book for kids! Says the three granddaughters sitting next to me, who are helping me write this review....😁
April 1, 2020
I didn't actually read this; I listened to the author read it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9RKJ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9RKJ...
June 3, 2017
Although Faith Ringgold's text is sweet and touching (providing both an enchanting story and much food for thought and discussion, as well as deeper analysis), I have to admit that I do not really seem to understand the concept and significance of the flying dream all that much or all that well. I have had dreams of flying myself, but for me, these dreams have generally always been ones of escaping to an alternate, better reality, to fairyland or the historical past so to speak, and not generally visions of flying and floating over a city and making urban landmarks my own (and thus, while I can and do very much understand and appreciate the concept, the dream of flying as a means of escaping one's reality, Cassie's floating over New York City, and claiming the George Washingtn Bridge and the Ice Cream Factory as hers, as belonging to her, just tends to feel a bit alien and strange to and for me).
That being said, I do much appreciate the words presented in Tar Beach (and absolutely love the glowing and evocative accompanying illustrations), and can therefore with passion (and at times sadness, even anger) understand and feel the implications of the featured remembrances (especially that the protagonist's hard working father is not allowed to be part of the union due to the fact that his grandfather was not part of the union, but really, due to the fact that he does not have the "correct" read the acceptable ethnicity). However, the what I would call magic is simply not really fully and utterly present for me; Tar Beach is, indeed, lovely, but some of it feels a bit beyond me, and above my feelings, my experiences and possible thoughts (a book that I can definitely like, that I do much value, but that I also cannot as yet if ever fully love).
That being said, I do much appreciate the words presented in Tar Beach (and absolutely love the glowing and evocative accompanying illustrations), and can therefore with passion (and at times sadness, even anger) understand and feel the implications of the featured remembrances (especially that the protagonist's hard working father is not allowed to be part of the union due to the fact that his grandfather was not part of the union, but really, due to the fact that he does not have the "correct" read the acceptable ethnicity). However, the what I would call magic is simply not really fully and utterly present for me; Tar Beach is, indeed, lovely, but some of it feels a bit beyond me, and above my feelings, my experiences and possible thoughts (a book that I can definitely like, that I do much value, but that I also cannot as yet if ever fully love).
July 21, 2016
I have actually seen this book on an episode of “Reading Rainbow” and I thought that this book was great! “Tar Beach” is a Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Honor Book by Faith Ringgold that is about a young girl named Cassie Louise Lightfoot who tells the audience about how she flies in the sky over the city and relates her tale to the audience. “Tar Beach” is certainly a memorable book that children will love to read!
After reading this book, I started taking an interest in the art of creating stories through quilts! Faith Ringgold has done an excellent job at both illustrating and writing this story about the life of an African-American girl during the 1930s. What really made this book stand out was the fact that it was based off of Faith Ringgold's story quilt that details the life of African-American women in America and I really loved the idea about this story coming from a story quilt, which is a quilt that tells the story of a person's life, since it made the story more creative and memorable to read about. Also, this book helped me learn more about black history, especially seeing how African-Americans and Native-Americans were treated during the construction of the Union building during the 1930s and it is interesting to see how far we have came from those times. Faith Ringgold's illustrations are truly creative and gorgeous, especially when she uses watercolor painting to illustrate the characters and the cities. The images that truly stood out for me were the images of Cassie flying over the George Washington Bridge and her apartment where her family lives on as it is simply breathtaking. I also loved the way that Faith Ringgold pasted pieces of her quilt on the bottom of the pages since it brings true creativity to the story and made the story even more heartwarming to read.
The only reason why I gave this book a four star rating is because even though I gave this book so much praise, the story seems to go through the events a bit too fast and there does not seem to be enough information about the characters themselves and the events that surrounded them, especially regarding the Union building since I wanted to learn more about the situation at the Union building during the 1930s.
Overall, “Tar Beach” is a great book for children who want to see stories through the eyes of a quilt and learn more about black history. I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since the format is easy for younger children to understand.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
January 13, 2012
I read this when it first came out. And I read it again a few years ago, and now I just read it for the 3rd+++++ time. However, I think I am finally understanding it at a deeper level.
September 11, 2016
This is a nice story about the wonders of imagination and the joys of city life.
Where else but in a city of high-rise buildings like New York City could a little girl go up to the "tar beach" on the roof of a building, have a party surrounded by the dark of the sky and the lights of the buildings around you and admire the sparkling jewel lights of a bridge that her own father helped to build?
Fun story, with gorgeous illustrations and dark, bold colors. We loved the background information on the author, with a picture of the story quilt that she created for this tale.
It was very coincidental that we read this book a day before we planned to drive over the George Washington bridge on our way up North to Massachusetts to see family. I love how many odd coincidences like this happen in my reading choices.
This book was selected as one of the books for the August 2016- Caldecott Honor discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
Where else but in a city of high-rise buildings like New York City could a little girl go up to the "tar beach" on the roof of a building, have a party surrounded by the dark of the sky and the lights of the buildings around you and admire the sparkling jewel lights of a bridge that her own father helped to build?
Fun story, with gorgeous illustrations and dark, bold colors. We loved the background information on the author, with a picture of the story quilt that she created for this tale.
It was very coincidental that we read this book a day before we planned to drive over the George Washington bridge on our way up North to Massachusetts to see family. I love how many odd coincidences like this happen in my reading choices.
This book was selected as one of the books for the August 2016- Caldecott Honor discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
December 24, 2022
خیلی قشنگ بود🥲
January 17, 2013
"Tar Beach" is a journey through the mind of Cassie Louise Lightfoot. Cassie is an eight-year-old African-American girl whose lower-class family lives in New York. The story originated as a very colorful story quilt and later evolved into book form.
Tar Beach is the name Cassie has given the rooftop of the apartment complex in which she resides. It is a nice gathering place for families to spend hot summer nights.
Cassie tells us that when she visits Tar Beach, she can fly anywhere she pleases. This is not to be taken literally, of course; while Cassie can dream and pretend that she is flying, it is her imagination that really soars. Cassie likes to imagine flying over grand parts of the city. She can see her father working, helping to construct different buildings. Most importantly, Cassie enjoys flying and circling around the George Washington bridge.
This all sounds incredibly mystical for an eight-year-old girl to fly and explore the city. Midway through the story, the reader learns that the story is set in the late 1930's, towards the end of the Great Depression. Cassie's father works in construction, and he was involved in building the George Washington bridge in 1931, and the new Union Building in the present time of the story. Cassie further explains that her dad cannot join the Union because of their heritage. While not having the knowledge of the work force that a working adult would have, Cassie still has a strong sense that the Union could make things better for her family. She comments in her own words that her father would be richer and "Mommy won't cry all winter when he goes to look for work and doesn't come home." Cassie believes that the Union would help her family to feel more secure compared to their neighbors, who have more money.
Cassie feels powerful when she flies and comes to the conclusion that she can take ownership of anything over which she flies. She wants to fly over the Union building and give it to her father. This is an incredibly selfless gift idea that Cassie has for her family. She would also like to give her brother a trip over the bridge. Cassie's flying over the tall structures of the city greatly symbolizes her will and wishes to triumph over the problematic "structures" in her personal life. It is not implied whether or not Cassie's parents discuss with her the issues of finding work in such difficult times and for simply having African-American heritage. Nonetheless, she has an incredible understanding of the issues surrounding her family at the time. Cassie's ability to "fly" helps her to cope with those struggles.
This story great for seeing into the eyes, mind, and heart of a little girl growing up in some very hard times. The issues of being "colored" come out in a very age-appropriate perspective; they are expressed very seriously, but with a sense of innocence still intact. This story serves a great purpose for its intended young audience, and that is to go back in time and gain sense of what it was like to grow up in that time. As an adult reader, the same point of view can be learned and understood, in addition to the memories of one's own childhood troubles.
Tar Beach is the name Cassie has given the rooftop of the apartment complex in which she resides. It is a nice gathering place for families to spend hot summer nights.
Cassie tells us that when she visits Tar Beach, she can fly anywhere she pleases. This is not to be taken literally, of course; while Cassie can dream and pretend that she is flying, it is her imagination that really soars. Cassie likes to imagine flying over grand parts of the city. She can see her father working, helping to construct different buildings. Most importantly, Cassie enjoys flying and circling around the George Washington bridge.
This all sounds incredibly mystical for an eight-year-old girl to fly and explore the city. Midway through the story, the reader learns that the story is set in the late 1930's, towards the end of the Great Depression. Cassie's father works in construction, and he was involved in building the George Washington bridge in 1931, and the new Union Building in the present time of the story. Cassie further explains that her dad cannot join the Union because of their heritage. While not having the knowledge of the work force that a working adult would have, Cassie still has a strong sense that the Union could make things better for her family. She comments in her own words that her father would be richer and "Mommy won't cry all winter when he goes to look for work and doesn't come home." Cassie believes that the Union would help her family to feel more secure compared to their neighbors, who have more money.
Cassie feels powerful when she flies and comes to the conclusion that she can take ownership of anything over which she flies. She wants to fly over the Union building and give it to her father. This is an incredibly selfless gift idea that Cassie has for her family. She would also like to give her brother a trip over the bridge. Cassie's flying over the tall structures of the city greatly symbolizes her will and wishes to triumph over the problematic "structures" in her personal life. It is not implied whether or not Cassie's parents discuss with her the issues of finding work in such difficult times and for simply having African-American heritage. Nonetheless, she has an incredible understanding of the issues surrounding her family at the time. Cassie's ability to "fly" helps her to cope with those struggles.
This story great for seeing into the eyes, mind, and heart of a little girl growing up in some very hard times. The issues of being "colored" come out in a very age-appropriate perspective; they are expressed very seriously, but with a sense of innocence still intact. This story serves a great purpose for its intended young audience, and that is to go back in time and gain sense of what it was like to grow up in that time. As an adult reader, the same point of view can be learned and understood, in addition to the memories of one's own childhood troubles.
February 26, 2023
In Tar Beach, Cassie flies over the segregated town to create a better life for her family. Although this part is fantasy, there's a lot depicted about the inequality that people of color faced in the 1930s and throughout the century (and into today). By flying over the buildings and bridges her father has helped create (but gets no credit for), Cassie can claim them as her own, for herself or her family, those whose hard work went into the construction and who will get no credit.
While much of the content might fly over younger readers' heads (pun so intended), Tar Beach is an important and accessible book to teach history. Unlike some of the harder texts, it doesn't address the injustices indirectly, although they're definitely there. While older students could use Tar Beach to try to interpret meaning behind flying symbolism used by enslaved peoples, it also works as an introduction to these issues for younger readers.
I love Ringgold's illustrations and what she says about them as well. The quilts that act as the borders, as well as the artwork itself, do a lot to enhance the story. Ringgold talks about the quilts at the end, and about how her interest in quilting came from the story quilts that go back to the ones enslaved people made. She talks about how this story brings together generations of black people who have been working toward the same goals.
The title is a reference to the rooftop that author Faith Ringgold spent her time on as a child. From this "tar beach," Cassie can see everything in the city.
Even though it may be a little beyond the kids' understanding, I do plan on bringing this one in at work as well in the coming week. I think they'll get a lot out of it.
*
While much of the content might fly over younger readers' heads (pun so intended), Tar Beach is an important and accessible book to teach history. Unlike some of the harder texts, it doesn't address the injustices indirectly, although they're definitely there. While older students could use Tar Beach to try to interpret meaning behind flying symbolism used by enslaved peoples, it also works as an introduction to these issues for younger readers.
I love Ringgold's illustrations and what she says about them as well. The quilts that act as the borders, as well as the artwork itself, do a lot to enhance the story. Ringgold talks about the quilts at the end, and about how her interest in quilting came from the story quilts that go back to the ones enslaved people made. She talks about how this story brings together generations of black people who have been working toward the same goals.
The title is a reference to the rooftop that author Faith Ringgold spent her time on as a child. From this "tar beach," Cassie can see everything in the city.
Even though it may be a little beyond the kids' understanding, I do plan on bringing this one in at work as well in the coming week. I think they'll get a lot out of it.
*
December 29, 2012
I can't believe I forgot this book. It has one of my favorite quotes in it. "I have told him it's very easy, anyone can fly. All you need is somewhere to go that you can't get to any other way. The next thing you know, you're flying among the stars."
This book is based on one of Faith Ringgold's quilts, which I love! I had the blessing to be able to see her quilts in person with a dear artist friend at the art museum in Kalamazoo.
This book is based on one of Faith Ringgold's quilts, which I love! I had the blessing to be able to see her quilts in person with a dear artist friend at the art museum in Kalamazoo.
January 23, 2010
Summary: This picture book, illustrated in a quilt-like fashion, is intended for readers 4-8 years of age and is a Caldecott Honor book. This book is about the universal wish of freedom. It delightfully balances dreams of a young girl and the injustices of the adult world. One night, as Cassie Lightfoot lays on “tar beach” which is the rooftop of her apartment building, the stars lift her up, allowing her to fly all round the city. While flying, she claims all of the buildings her own so her family will no longer have to worry, worries that are caused by the injustices of society.
This book demonstrates the effects that the social injustices of 1939 had on African American families. It displays nicely the universal themes of freedom, power, prejudice, wishing things were different, and using fantasies and dreams (like being able to fly all over the city and change the world) as ways to escape, try to make things better, and find hope. This book is a weaving of fiction, autobiography, African-American history, and literature, which is why it is so fitting that the illustrations are done in a quilt-like style. Tar Beach is a work of modern art translated into a children's picture book, by artist Faith Ringgold. The illustrations are rich, colorful, and intense, as is the story portrayed within the book.
This book demonstrates the effects that the social injustices of 1939 had on African American families. It displays nicely the universal themes of freedom, power, prejudice, wishing things were different, and using fantasies and dreams (like being able to fly all over the city and change the world) as ways to escape, try to make things better, and find hope. This book is a weaving of fiction, autobiography, African-American history, and literature, which is why it is so fitting that the illustrations are done in a quilt-like style. Tar Beach is a work of modern art translated into a children's picture book, by artist Faith Ringgold. The illustrations are rich, colorful, and intense, as is the story portrayed within the book.
April 24, 2013
Tar Beach is the story of a young girl named Cassie Lightfoot and her unique perspective of Harlem in the 1930’s. Cassie flies above her black tar rooftop and has a bird’s eye view of her city in which she recounts some of the different things she sees such as her most prized possession, the George Washington Bridge, and her father’s workplace at a union building where he is a construction worker.
The book has a very positive message about the need to dream and flourish while still containing undertones of some problematic social situations such as unemployment and racism. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this short story because of its unique viewpoint, and beautiful artwork. This book can be read out to students from grades K to second and features amazingly detailed painted illustrations while remaining in a quilt like format. I would recommend this picture book to any parent or teacher who likes to read out loud to their students or children. This book also features many elements of African American culture which can be teaching point in where it may be a non-dominant culture. Some of the social issues present are expertly worded and provide insight into what it was really like to live in that time period. The book can also bring about inspiration in young writers who can imagine flying over their own hometown and creating an illustrated recount of their adventure.
The book has a very positive message about the need to dream and flourish while still containing undertones of some problematic social situations such as unemployment and racism. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this short story because of its unique viewpoint, and beautiful artwork. This book can be read out to students from grades K to second and features amazingly detailed painted illustrations while remaining in a quilt like format. I would recommend this picture book to any parent or teacher who likes to read out loud to their students or children. This book also features many elements of African American culture which can be teaching point in where it may be a non-dominant culture. Some of the social issues present are expertly worded and provide insight into what it was really like to live in that time period. The book can also bring about inspiration in young writers who can imagine flying over their own hometown and creating an illustrated recount of their adventure.
August 15, 2016
The story is whimsical and yet somewhat historical/autobiographical in nature. The narrator imagines flying through the air and whatever she flies over belongs to her. I really appreciated the author's note because it increased my appreciation for and comprehension of the text. The illustrations are gorgeous...I love the quilt squares along the bottom of each page...and I love them even more after seeing the quilt that Ringgold created to tell this story. The paintings are rich with color and detail.
August 31, 2016
1992 Caldecott Honor - Favorite Illustration: I like the picture of the adults on the roof playing cards together while the children sleep nearby.
When first reading this book, I was slightly confused as to what it was meant to be. However, after reading the extensive author's note, then reading through the book again it made more sense. Cassie is a young girl who dreams of a better life for herself and her family, and she is able to accomplish this by flying over and "claiming" building for herself and her family. This is an interesting story, but not one that resonates with me.
When first reading this book, I was slightly confused as to what it was meant to be. However, after reading the extensive author's note, then reading through the book again it made more sense. Cassie is a young girl who dreams of a better life for herself and her family, and she is able to accomplish this by flying over and "claiming" building for herself and her family. This is an interesting story, but not one that resonates with me.
February 21, 2010
Faith Ringgold's Tar Beach is an amazing story that utilizes her art work as the illustration. Tar Beach, although Ringgold's first book, won critical acclaim as well as a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration, and it continues to be a favorite among children and adults alike. The story is about a girl that fly over her neighborhood to claim the George Washington Bridge. It is a story that I would use in grade 3-5.
February 14, 2011
1991 CALDECOTT HONOR PICTURE BOOK MY SYNOPSIS: Many large, tall skyscrapers surround the George Washington Bridge, a lighted suspension bridge, which Harlem overlooks. Atop one of these buildings young Cassie, her brother, parents and Mrs. and Mrs. Honey enjoy potlucks, card games, and whimsy on the rooftop which they name “Tar Beach.” Here Cassie soars over the city wearing the lights of the bridge as a necklace. She learns to “fly” here and feels she can own anything!
THEME: Cassie, a third grader, can envision an equality for her and her family through her nighttime magical imaginings on those nights at least when her family and their friends can “own” a piece of “Tar Beach” (Harlem tenement building’s rooftop). She shows us HOW to and that they CAN be overcome—prejudices.
Is the theme worthwhile? Is it too obvious or overpowering? The theme is a powerful one! As Cassie determines through her own fantasies own that SHE can overcome anything we each feel somewhat more empowered ourselves. The child audience is appealed to by these themes of unlimited thinking and visions of a better world, an empowered world, through daydreaming (or nighttime day dreaming as in this case). As Ringgold writes and illustrates Cassie’s experiences this theme is woven together and carries us and her little brother BeBe away through Cassie’s vicarious Big-Sisterliness to learn about her very own breathtaking and inspiring experiences atop the roof on many a warm summer night.
Personal Reaction. When I discovered that Ringgold chose her quilt which she also calls “Tar Beach” as an outer border of both her front and back covers of this book, it reminded me of something I recently learned—that quilt makers during the Civil War incorporated messages, directions, instructions. Faith Ringgold branched into story writing from quilt making. My delight at the author’s use of imagery served to emphasize her theme and makes me want to explore other 1991 Caldecott Medal winners because they MUST be even more better than Ringgold’s entry!
Content. What is the focus of the book? Through the nighttime magical imaginings of a young girl, Cassie, in the third grade, we are shown her world where prejudices CAN be overcome and in which she determines through her fantasies that she can overcome anything.
Is the book appropriate for a particular age of student or child? What age would most appreciate the book? From early age 0 to 5 years (pre-readers) and beyond. These vivid inner city illustrations tell the message of life surrounded by high rises and the body of water bridged by the George Washington Bridge, which Cassie’s father helped to build.
Does the book encourage curiosity and wonder about its topic(s)? Yes. How is it that children can “fly”? I can’t fly—or can I? Some people think this book is a good starting point for a discussion of wishes and vision.
Is the book connected to any particular curriculum topic(s) in more than just a superficial way? Yes, occupations, class differences, family life, big city issues such as labor unions, and prejudice. Cassie’s father brings Cassie with him to his job site where he builds skyscrapers.
What is the quality of the language? It is third grad-ish! After all, Cassie tells us that she is in the third grade. Ringgold includes many of Cassie’s own words or thoughts, such as . She flies over the George Washington bridge that she wishes she can wear as a necklace because her father helped build it. She also wishes that her father could be rich and build his own building and get the respect he deserves. In the end, she is happy that she can enjoy Tar Beach(the roof on top of the building she lives in)with her family and it allows her to daydream about so many things she would like in that world. A great book to teach students that anything is possible...even if it is in your dreams
Is the vocabulary appropriate? Absolutely relevant vocabulary that includes some very “adult” concepts like, “But still he can’t join the union because Grandpa wasn’t member.” I am uncertain but believe that since the 1930’s (the setting of this book) unions now accept a diverse culture of workers’ applications. But Ringgold’s book does NOT go into The Civil Rights Act of 1962 (perhaps because this is quite a few decades prior to that! This book and its third-grade geared vocabulary encourage us to live vicariously through Cassie’s dreams and fantasies.
• Illustrations. Both the front and back cover are as vivid as the inside illustrations. I loved that Ringgold chose her quilt which she also calls “Tar Beach” as an outer border of both her front and back covers of this book.—This books back cover shows simply the picture of Cassie “flying” in the sky. Her covers truly appeal to her child audience and equally delight, I feel, her adult audience.
What are the illustrations like? What medium does the illustrator use? I believe illustrator/author Ringgold uses acrylic paintings. Ringgold’s rich detail and vivid, rich colors echo the vibrancy and intensity of young Cassie’s flights of fancy.
Do the illustrations extend the text? Ringgold’s illustrations not only extend the text but further display her respect for children’s understandings, abilities and appreciations, a high measuring stick forCaldecott Honors and Medal winners.
Are the words and illustrations woven together in any way? Yes, tightly woven together Ringgold’s prose and her city life illustrations work in synchronicity to depict the changing moods our little character Cassie feels for example, when she goes with her father to his worksite and when the whole family joins the Honey family on the “tar beach” rooftop at night. “They call him the Cat.” because he walks on steel girders many stories about the ground. Mood changing to magical at night with the vivid, intense nighttime palette of deep, majestic royal blue sky with the white lights of the bridge “like a giant diamond necklace,” she writes.
Do they create "rhythm and movement" in any way? Ringgold’s paintings reflect the lack of motion of the buildings, their starkness against the day time sky and their illusory qualities in the night, starlit skies. It is then at night when the sky comes alive, and Cassie “flies” above the other buildings like the ice cream factory and daddy’s union building which she picks. “Well, Daddy is going to own that building, ’cause I’m gonna fly over it and give it to him.”
What colors are used and for what purpose? Bold primary colors by night accented by the bright whites of the stars in the sky and the lights on the George Washington Bridge.
What does the illustrator try to convey through her art? How magnificent a cascade of dormant colors becomes when the sky is morphed from dusk into night! Cassie almost instinctively comprehends that the limitations of her father’s half-black and half-native American ethnicity has made life harder for her father and her mother. Children can learn here that personal and cultural identity often in the past has created difficulties for people. Ringgold paints for us through her acrylic paintings an empathy for the suffering of Cassie’s family and hopefully influences young minds to consider these influences in their own future decision making.
THEME: Cassie, a third grader, can envision an equality for her and her family through her nighttime magical imaginings on those nights at least when her family and their friends can “own” a piece of “Tar Beach” (Harlem tenement building’s rooftop). She shows us HOW to and that they CAN be overcome—prejudices.
Is the theme worthwhile? Is it too obvious or overpowering? The theme is a powerful one! As Cassie determines through her own fantasies own that SHE can overcome anything we each feel somewhat more empowered ourselves. The child audience is appealed to by these themes of unlimited thinking and visions of a better world, an empowered world, through daydreaming (or nighttime day dreaming as in this case). As Ringgold writes and illustrates Cassie’s experiences this theme is woven together and carries us and her little brother BeBe away through Cassie’s vicarious Big-Sisterliness to learn about her very own breathtaking and inspiring experiences atop the roof on many a warm summer night.
Personal Reaction. When I discovered that Ringgold chose her quilt which she also calls “Tar Beach” as an outer border of both her front and back covers of this book, it reminded me of something I recently learned—that quilt makers during the Civil War incorporated messages, directions, instructions. Faith Ringgold branched into story writing from quilt making. My delight at the author’s use of imagery served to emphasize her theme and makes me want to explore other 1991 Caldecott Medal winners because they MUST be even more better than Ringgold’s entry!
Content. What is the focus of the book? Through the nighttime magical imaginings of a young girl, Cassie, in the third grade, we are shown her world where prejudices CAN be overcome and in which she determines through her fantasies that she can overcome anything.
Is the book appropriate for a particular age of student or child? What age would most appreciate the book? From early age 0 to 5 years (pre-readers) and beyond. These vivid inner city illustrations tell the message of life surrounded by high rises and the body of water bridged by the George Washington Bridge, which Cassie’s father helped to build.
Does the book encourage curiosity and wonder about its topic(s)? Yes. How is it that children can “fly”? I can’t fly—or can I? Some people think this book is a good starting point for a discussion of wishes and vision.
Is the book connected to any particular curriculum topic(s) in more than just a superficial way? Yes, occupations, class differences, family life, big city issues such as labor unions, and prejudice. Cassie’s father brings Cassie with him to his job site where he builds skyscrapers.
What is the quality of the language? It is third grad-ish! After all, Cassie tells us that she is in the third grade. Ringgold includes many of Cassie’s own words or thoughts, such as . She flies over the George Washington bridge that she wishes she can wear as a necklace because her father helped build it. She also wishes that her father could be rich and build his own building and get the respect he deserves. In the end, she is happy that she can enjoy Tar Beach(the roof on top of the building she lives in)with her family and it allows her to daydream about so many things she would like in that world. A great book to teach students that anything is possible...even if it is in your dreams
Is the vocabulary appropriate? Absolutely relevant vocabulary that includes some very “adult” concepts like, “But still he can’t join the union because Grandpa wasn’t member.” I am uncertain but believe that since the 1930’s (the setting of this book) unions now accept a diverse culture of workers’ applications. But Ringgold’s book does NOT go into The Civil Rights Act of 1962 (perhaps because this is quite a few decades prior to that! This book and its third-grade geared vocabulary encourage us to live vicariously through Cassie’s dreams and fantasies.
• Illustrations. Both the front and back cover are as vivid as the inside illustrations. I loved that Ringgold chose her quilt which she also calls “Tar Beach” as an outer border of both her front and back covers of this book.—This books back cover shows simply the picture of Cassie “flying” in the sky. Her covers truly appeal to her child audience and equally delight, I feel, her adult audience.
What are the illustrations like? What medium does the illustrator use? I believe illustrator/author Ringgold uses acrylic paintings. Ringgold’s rich detail and vivid, rich colors echo the vibrancy and intensity of young Cassie’s flights of fancy.
Do the illustrations extend the text? Ringgold’s illustrations not only extend the text but further display her respect for children’s understandings, abilities and appreciations, a high measuring stick forCaldecott Honors and Medal winners.
Are the words and illustrations woven together in any way? Yes, tightly woven together Ringgold’s prose and her city life illustrations work in synchronicity to depict the changing moods our little character Cassie feels for example, when she goes with her father to his worksite and when the whole family joins the Honey family on the “tar beach” rooftop at night. “They call him the Cat.” because he walks on steel girders many stories about the ground. Mood changing to magical at night with the vivid, intense nighttime palette of deep, majestic royal blue sky with the white lights of the bridge “like a giant diamond necklace,” she writes.
Do they create "rhythm and movement" in any way? Ringgold’s paintings reflect the lack of motion of the buildings, their starkness against the day time sky and their illusory qualities in the night, starlit skies. It is then at night when the sky comes alive, and Cassie “flies” above the other buildings like the ice cream factory and daddy’s union building which she picks. “Well, Daddy is going to own that building, ’cause I’m gonna fly over it and give it to him.”
What colors are used and for what purpose? Bold primary colors by night accented by the bright whites of the stars in the sky and the lights on the George Washington Bridge.
What does the illustrator try to convey through her art? How magnificent a cascade of dormant colors becomes when the sky is morphed from dusk into night! Cassie almost instinctively comprehends that the limitations of her father’s half-black and half-native American ethnicity has made life harder for her father and her mother. Children can learn here that personal and cultural identity often in the past has created difficulties for people. Ringgold paints for us through her acrylic paintings an empathy for the suffering of Cassie’s family and hopefully influences young minds to consider these influences in their own future decision making.
March 9, 2021
Your imagination can transport you anywhere.
February 7, 2017
Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold is a story about Cassie Louise Lightfoot an eight year old girl who flys around New York City. While her parents and the next-door neighbors play cards, Cassie and Be Be, her brother, lay on mattresses of Tar Beach, the rooftop of their family apartment building. Cassie flies away from the city introducing the union building that her dad works on as a construction worker, and the issue that he isn’t allowed to join the union because he is colored and a half-breed Indian. Cassie desperately wants to fix these issues for her family and make them right. Can flying free be enough to fix them?
I thought this book was a good one and I enjoyed it. I also enjoyed reading about the author, it helped me understand some of the elements behind the book. I would have liked to been introduced to the characters and given some background knowledge in the actual story. Also what initially drew me in was the use of the bright vivid colors throughout the book. These are beautiful and contribute to the artwork in the best way. I would definitely add this book to my classroom as I think it it is a fun lighthearted way to approach a serious, very real topic.
By the end of the book I saw several different thematic symbols. The most prominent one is the symbol flying signifies freedom. In Cassie’s world flying symbolizes that she is literally flying in the sky free and can go wherever she wants without any limits, but is also symbolic in reference to African Americans being free from slavery, and most of all free from discrimination. We see discrimination in the text when Cassie says, “Then it won’t matter that he’s not in their old union, or whether he’s colored or a half-breed Indian, like they say.” She is able to identify that certain people only see her father as colored or a half-breed Indian and nothing else. She wants to free her father from racial bigotry so she fly’s over the union building, symbolizing that her father is now free from that.
Faith Ringgold did any amazing job writing this story. The tone of this story is one that is carefree and a child like approach to a very serious topic. As Cassie nonchalantly flies thru the air we see her help tackle the burdens of her families’ hardships. She courageously tackles them head on and even gets her brother to join her. We also see that our imaginations can be a good creative outlet to help cope with hard situations as an adult or child. It also shows that children of all ages can be very in tune with what is happening around them.
The bottom borders below the narrative strips appear to look like different strips of cloth. Well turns out they are, because the author originally painted this story on one of the quilts that she made and wanted to mimic that the best she can. By using acrylic paint on canvas paper for the illustrations and including the strips of cloth below the narrative strip shows deep respect to the original artwork and gives the book some character and history behind the story.
I thought this book was a good one and I enjoyed it. I also enjoyed reading about the author, it helped me understand some of the elements behind the book. I would have liked to been introduced to the characters and given some background knowledge in the actual story. Also what initially drew me in was the use of the bright vivid colors throughout the book. These are beautiful and contribute to the artwork in the best way. I would definitely add this book to my classroom as I think it it is a fun lighthearted way to approach a serious, very real topic.
By the end of the book I saw several different thematic symbols. The most prominent one is the symbol flying signifies freedom. In Cassie’s world flying symbolizes that she is literally flying in the sky free and can go wherever she wants without any limits, but is also symbolic in reference to African Americans being free from slavery, and most of all free from discrimination. We see discrimination in the text when Cassie says, “Then it won’t matter that he’s not in their old union, or whether he’s colored or a half-breed Indian, like they say.” She is able to identify that certain people only see her father as colored or a half-breed Indian and nothing else. She wants to free her father from racial bigotry so she fly’s over the union building, symbolizing that her father is now free from that.
Faith Ringgold did any amazing job writing this story. The tone of this story is one that is carefree and a child like approach to a very serious topic. As Cassie nonchalantly flies thru the air we see her help tackle the burdens of her families’ hardships. She courageously tackles them head on and even gets her brother to join her. We also see that our imaginations can be a good creative outlet to help cope with hard situations as an adult or child. It also shows that children of all ages can be very in tune with what is happening around them.
The bottom borders below the narrative strips appear to look like different strips of cloth. Well turns out they are, because the author originally painted this story on one of the quilts that she made and wanted to mimic that the best she can. By using acrylic paint on canvas paper for the illustrations and including the strips of cloth below the narrative strip shows deep respect to the original artwork and gives the book some character and history behind the story.
February 15, 2016
This book was not at all what I expected it to be, and for that, I am grateful. The title made me think of an oil spill accident in the ocean. How depressing! The title is referring to using the roof tops in the city like a beach, laying out under the stars. Tar Beach is mainly about a little girl admiring her surroundings at night in NYC and briefly about her family life.
There are some things that seemed not quite right, though. If you live in the city and you look up, you don't really see any stars because of the light pollution. I wonder if this wasn't really the case so much yet since it is implied that the story is taking place in the late 1930s. Also, her logic doesn't make sense (which I suppose I'm supposed to forgive since it's little kid logic). She said that in order to claim a piece of property (eg: the George Washington Bridge) she just had to fly over it. She claims she can fly because, "All you need is somewhere to go that you can't get to any other way. The next thing you know, you're flying among the stars." What is she, a desperate Peter Pan?
The insights into her family life were interesting. We get to see her dad's issues with the union and her dad's unemployment during the winter months. You get to see what the family needs through the perspective of a child (work for dad, mom sleeping late, ice cream every night, etc), which is both sad and cute.
The illustrations looked like something a child would do. Perhaps that was the point. I wasn't in love with it, though.
There are some things that seemed not quite right, though. If you live in the city and you look up, you don't really see any stars because of the light pollution. I wonder if this wasn't really the case so much yet since it is implied that the story is taking place in the late 1930s. Also, her logic doesn't make sense (which I suppose I'm supposed to forgive since it's little kid logic). She said that in order to claim a piece of property (eg: the George Washington Bridge) she just had to fly over it. She claims she can fly because, "All you need is somewhere to go that you can't get to any other way. The next thing you know, you're flying among the stars." What is she, a desperate Peter Pan?
The insights into her family life were interesting. We get to see her dad's issues with the union and her dad's unemployment during the winter months. You get to see what the family needs through the perspective of a child (work for dad, mom sleeping late, ice cream every night, etc), which is both sad and cute.
The illustrations looked like something a child would do. Perhaps that was the point. I wasn't in love with it, though.
September 24, 2017
Multicultural
Awards:Caldecott Honor Book, Coretta Scott King Award
Summary:
This story is taken from a quilt the author sewed as part of a series (images of a quilt are visible along the border of each page). Ringgold changed some of the words from her quilt and painted canvases to be used as the illustrations of this imaginative story of a third-grade African American girl. She spends summers playing on the ‘tar beach’ (the rooftop of her building) with her family. She lays on the ‘tar beach’ and imagines that she is flying through the sky and has freedom. The pages describe what happens in her imagination in comparison to what is actually occurring.
Evaluation:
This story allows a reader to understand life in the African American culture and how life varies in regards to other cultures. The main character flies through her town and turns the truths of her family into more positive views... instead of her father looking down on buildings he works at, he is looking up at buildings that he owns.
I loved the colorful illustrations used and enjoyed reading the background of Ringgold’s artistic capabilities that was provided at the end.
Teaching Ideas:
This is a wonderful example to use when learning about cultures. When discussing slavery this book can be used to discuss freedom.
Students could also fill out a graphic organizer for parts of the story that were real and parts that were imaginary.
October 16, 2017
This is a wonderful story told by an 8 year old girl named Cassie that dreams and fantasizes of being free to go wherever she wants for the rest of her life. Flying is how this 3rd grader achieves her dream! This goes back to African-American folktale literature as slaves spoke of "flying" to freedom as a metaphor for escaping from slavery.
In the story it is clearly stated that Cassie's father can not be a part of the union which references to more contemporary African-American history. Cassie's father was not allowed to be a part of the union because he was "colored"- half Indian. Minorities were excluded from unions on the basis of the grandfather clause which was a clause that stated that if a man's father was not a union member that meant they could not be a part of the union either.
Tar beach refers to the rooftop of the apartment in Harlem in which Cassie and her family lived. Cassie and her family went up to the rooftop of hot summer nights, Cassie and her brother would lay on mattresses on the tar rooftop as the adults played cards.
This is a wonderful book for the classroom! This book is a cleverly written book with subtext, it may seem like a simple story of a flying girl but if you take the time to inform yourself of the time of the story setting then you start to put the pieces together making it a beautiful story of freedom and desires of a child.
In the story it is clearly stated that Cassie's father can not be a part of the union which references to more contemporary African-American history. Cassie's father was not allowed to be a part of the union because he was "colored"- half Indian. Minorities were excluded from unions on the basis of the grandfather clause which was a clause that stated that if a man's father was not a union member that meant they could not be a part of the union either.
Tar beach refers to the rooftop of the apartment in Harlem in which Cassie and her family lived. Cassie and her family went up to the rooftop of hot summer nights, Cassie and her brother would lay on mattresses on the tar rooftop as the adults played cards.
This is a wonderful book for the classroom! This book is a cleverly written book with subtext, it may seem like a simple story of a flying girl but if you take the time to inform yourself of the time of the story setting then you start to put the pieces together making it a beautiful story of freedom and desires of a child.
March 2, 2017
Tar Beach, by Faith Ringgold. Published by Dragonfly Books in 1996. 32 pages.
In the book a young Faith Ringgold has a dream where she flies around NYC and claims everything she sees for herself. Along the way she talks about how each part of the city is important to her and her family and why she wants to claim it as her own.
We’ll use the book to discuss families, cultures, diversity and identity. It can also be used to compare where people live: rural or urban. In this book the illustrations are very important to understanding Faith’s connections and so we’ll spend a lot of time studying them and how they impact the story for the characters and the reader. 5 stars.
2nd and 3rd grade. Lexile: 760 L; G.R: P
3.RL.7 Explain how specific aspect of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g. create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting.)
3.RL.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g. their traits, motivations, or feelings,) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
In the book a young Faith Ringgold has a dream where she flies around NYC and claims everything she sees for herself. Along the way she talks about how each part of the city is important to her and her family and why she wants to claim it as her own.
We’ll use the book to discuss families, cultures, diversity and identity. It can also be used to compare where people live: rural or urban. In this book the illustrations are very important to understanding Faith’s connections and so we’ll spend a lot of time studying them and how they impact the story for the characters and the reader. 5 stars.
2nd and 3rd grade. Lexile: 760 L; G.R: P
3.RL.7 Explain how specific aspect of a text’s illustrations contribute to what is conveyed by the words in a story (e.g. create mood, emphasize aspects of a character or setting.)
3.RL.3 Describe characters in a story (e.g. their traits, motivations, or feelings,) and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
January 24, 2010
This Caldecott Honor book earned it's award with it's beautiful depiction of how powerful imagination can be. I love the way Faith Ringgold shows the hardships that Cassie's family faces, and how Cassie does what she can to help her family through the power of her imagination. I also love how Ringgold shows that although her family has many challenges they also find joy in simple things such as picnics on their roof. A wonderful book to show a different way of life to young children and explore the way imagination can take you anywhere.
January 24, 2015
One of my all time favorite children's books. When I've read this aloud to children they always have a wonderfully excited response and allows them to live the dream of flying up and getting a different perspective on their own life and things around them. Also this book could be used as a way to introduce Faith Ringgold's art of painted story quilts and I could see kids loving to make their own story quilts as a craft.
September 17, 2016
Really liked this one. Don't miss reading older children the last page about Ringgold's quilt in the Guggenheim museum. I had to paraphrase that last page a bit for my 5 year old, but, got most of the main points in. Good opportunity to explain the variations in the American Experience to small children.
January 24, 2017
Tar Beach is a book about a young girl who has a dream about flying above her house and viewing her world from above. The book is based in 1939 when the little girl is eight years old. Her dream comes true in this book! Coretta Scott King award winning book.
September 8, 2023
Ringgold’s touching story about family, memories and imagination is just very deep and whimsical. It also shows that you need to go anywhere to find a great vacation. A (100%/Outstanding)
April 14, 2024
Wonderful 1992 Caldecott winner
December 9, 2017
This is a magical story about a young girl, Cassie, who leaves her roof, tar beach, flying in the sky in order to follow her dreams. It was awarded the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award (1993), the Coretta Scott King Award (1992) and the Caldecott Honor Book (1992). This picture book is well-written and illustrated for young children. Primary students can relate well to this story because little children like to use their imaginations. I enjoyed Tar Beach with the dream of flying and having the freedom to go where you want. I liked how the protagonist, Cassie, used her imagination to fly to all the places she dreamed about in New York City.
The artwork contributes to my overall understanding of the book because the paintings depicted scences in the city, as Cassie flew to different places in New York City that she had dreamed about going to visit. The perspective of flattened paintings provided simplicity and a childlike feeling to the story. Ringgold used paintings made with acrylic on canvas paper for the pictures. The page borders were reproduced from the original story quilt made by Faith Ringgold. The quilt pattern as a page border was used in story telling. Her slave ancestors made quilts as part of their work on plantations. The medium of painting and quilt making was explained by Ringgold at the end of her story. The quilt designs portrayed African heritage and repetition of patterns on the quilt pieces, symbolic of Early American quilts. Ringgold's style of quilting was used to tell her story of a Black child living in America.
As a storybook, I would use this book with children to teach about cultures and communities for social studies. Another idea is to use Tar Beach to teach students about having hopes and dreams. You could also consider doing an author study about Faith Ringgold.
The artwork contributes to my overall understanding of the book because the paintings depicted scences in the city, as Cassie flew to different places in New York City that she had dreamed about going to visit. The perspective of flattened paintings provided simplicity and a childlike feeling to the story. Ringgold used paintings made with acrylic on canvas paper for the pictures. The page borders were reproduced from the original story quilt made by Faith Ringgold. The quilt pattern as a page border was used in story telling. Her slave ancestors made quilts as part of their work on plantations. The medium of painting and quilt making was explained by Ringgold at the end of her story. The quilt designs portrayed African heritage and repetition of patterns on the quilt pieces, symbolic of Early American quilts. Ringgold's style of quilting was used to tell her story of a Black child living in America.
As a storybook, I would use this book with children to teach about cultures and communities for social studies. Another idea is to use Tar Beach to teach students about having hopes and dreams. You could also consider doing an author study about Faith Ringgold.
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