Free Within Ourselves: The Development of African American Children's Literature

by Rudine Sims Bishop

Today African American children's books in every genre are a vibrant part of any library or personal collection. Yet there are many works by African Americans from prior eras that aren't well known. In Free Within Ourselves , nationally respected expert Rudine Sims Bishop introduces you to the full beauty and power of African American children's literature, offering insight into its rich tradition.   Bishop guides you from important early works for African American children such as W.E.B. DuBois' The Brownies Book , to the 1969 publication of John Steptoe's Stevie - the breakthrough modern African American picture book - to recent young adult fiction such as Christopher Paul Curtis' popular Bud Not Buddy , winner of both the Coretta Scott King Author Award and the Newbery Medal. All along, her energetic chronicle brings to life the crucial figures who have contributed to the rise of African American children's literature and delves deep into the plot, characters, and themes of their most popular and teachable works. The result is an unparalleled treasury of ideas and information for teaching with African American children's literature.   Across genres, in poetry, picture books, and contemporary and historical fiction, Black authors and artists have created a body of children's literature that celebrates the strengths of family; bears witness to the struggle for freedom, equality, and dignity; nurtures children; and honors the story as a way of teaching and knowing. Free Within Ourselves gives you all the background you'll need to introduce or expand the role of African American children's literature in your classroom; to use it for teaching reading, literature, and social studies; and to connect all students with the powerful stories of African Americans.

This title is also available as a hardcover through

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Childrens, Literary Criticism, Theory

312 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

Reviews

[Cara Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredibly thorough, thoughtful and important critical work on African American children's literature. In a span of 12 chapters, an introduction and conclusion, Sims Bishop provides an overview of hundreds of picture books, chapter books, and poetry collections for children. It is a work that seems like the culmination of career's work in the field of African American children's literature. This is a necessary read for children's literature scholars.

A great 2012 follow up to this work is her article from the _Journal of Children's Literature_:, available at this link: http://www.childrensliteratureassembl... . As she stresses in her book and rearticulates in this more recent article: “children from parallel cultures had been offered mainly books as windows into lives that were different from their own, and children from the dominant culture had been offered mainly fiction that mirrored their own lives. All children need both” (9).

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A splendid book that takes a critical and historical look at African American children's literature. This has made me appreciate and desire to explore the genre more.

[Daniel Kleven · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books I've read this year -- a comprehensive study of Black children's literature, from the 19th century to the 2000s (when it was published). This book belongs on the shelf of every educator as standard reference book.

The book is 300+ pages, and the pages are big and the print is small. This is really a monumental study and survey of the field. Even as a "survey" it is not a shallow flyover, but includes analysis of the themes, background, career, and motivations of dozens and dozens of Black authors over the decades. It covers early writers for children (W. E. B. Du Bois's Brownie's Book, Langston Hughes, Arna Bontemps, Carter G. Woodson) and then documents the rise of various generations of writers and illustrators over the years since then. The background of awards like the Coretta Scott King Awards is told, and every significant writer gets extensive coverage. Every chapter includes an extensive bibliography of children's books referenced, besides the scholarly bibliography at the back of the book. Ever since I got this book, I've been not only reading through it, but referencing it, finding new books to read and to use in the classroom, and have a resource that will be useful for years to come.

Anyone who teaches Black kids; who's interested in developing culturally affirming curriculum and resources; who wants to add some "diversity" into your reading lists, or your kids reading lists; and especially who wants to understand the historical development of a powerful field of literature; ... should get a copy of this book.

HIGHLY recommended!