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She Was the First! The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm
A timely, inspiring picture book biography of the dynamic twentieth-century educator, activist, and politician Shirley Chisholm.
Even as a young child growing up in the 1920s, Shirley Chisholm was a leader. At the age of three, older children were already following her lead in their Brooklyn neighborhood.
As a student at Brooklyn College, Shirley could outtalk anyone who opposed her on the debate team. After graduating, she used her voice and leadership to fight for educational change. In community groups, she stood up for the rights of women and minorities. Her small stature and fiery determination often took people by surprise. But they listened.
In 1964, Shirley took her voice and leadership to politics, becoming the first Black woman elected to the New York State Assembly, and in 1968, the first Black woman elected to Congress. Then in 1972, she became the first Black woman to seek the presidency of the United States. She pushed for laws that helped women, children, students, poor people, farm workers, Native people, and others who were often ignored. She fought for healthcare. She spoke up for military veterans. She spoke out against war
Shirley Chisholm, a woman of many firsts, was an unforgettable political trailblazer, a candidate of the people and catalyst of change who opened the door for women in the political arena and for the first Black president of the United States.
Even as a young child growing up in the 1920s, Shirley Chisholm was a leader. At the age of three, older children were already following her lead in their Brooklyn neighborhood.
As a student at Brooklyn College, Shirley could outtalk anyone who opposed her on the debate team. After graduating, she used her voice and leadership to fight for educational change. In community groups, she stood up for the rights of women and minorities. Her small stature and fiery determination often took people by surprise. But they listened.
In 1964, Shirley took her voice and leadership to politics, becoming the first Black woman elected to the New York State Assembly, and in 1968, the first Black woman elected to Congress. Then in 1972, she became the first Black woman to seek the presidency of the United States. She pushed for laws that helped women, children, students, poor people, farm workers, Native people, and others who were often ignored. She fought for healthcare. She spoke up for military veterans. She spoke out against war
Shirley Chisholm, a woman of many firsts, was an unforgettable political trailblazer, a candidate of the people and catalyst of change who opened the door for women in the political arena and for the first Black president of the United States.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published August 4, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
September 16, 2020
This long-overdue picture book biography about the first Black person (a woman!) to throw her hat into the ring for President of the U.S. does an admirable job of capturing this inspirational woman's life.
Russell-Brown fleshes out Chisholm's formative years spent in poverty - from Brooklyn to Barbados and back - that informed the foundation of her character. An intense student, she was an active leader throughout her life, always learning and growing. Her life's goal was to make her country and the world a better place. Leadership came easily to her, first as a teacher, then working with community groups, and finally as a politician. Russell-Brown focuses on the highlights of this strong woman's life, making it clear that this trailblazing fighter for human rights was destined for greatness. Backmatter includes four pages filled with details about Chisholm (enough for either a short report or solid background to base a longer one) and several photographs of Chisholm, a list of sources for quotes, photo credits, and list of author sources (many are online).
Eric Velasquez's watercolor illustrations are stunning. It is very clear in each which person is Chisholm: she is always on the cutting edge in a leadership role, whether first in a line or first to pick up a book in class. He has captured the visual essence of her as an adult, with many illustrations of her almost photo-real. I especially admire the determination and appreciation that Chisholm exhibits on the book's cover. We are visually transported back in time.
Don't just save this for Black History, Women's History Month or around Presidential elections time. Get it out there and share it year 'round!
Highly Recommended for grades K-5.
Russell-Brown fleshes out Chisholm's formative years spent in poverty - from Brooklyn to Barbados and back - that informed the foundation of her character. An intense student, she was an active leader throughout her life, always learning and growing. Her life's goal was to make her country and the world a better place. Leadership came easily to her, first as a teacher, then working with community groups, and finally as a politician. Russell-Brown focuses on the highlights of this strong woman's life, making it clear that this trailblazing fighter for human rights was destined for greatness. Backmatter includes four pages filled with details about Chisholm (enough for either a short report or solid background to base a longer one) and several photographs of Chisholm, a list of sources for quotes, photo credits, and list of author sources (many are online).
Eric Velasquez's watercolor illustrations are stunning. It is very clear in each which person is Chisholm: she is always on the cutting edge in a leadership role, whether first in a line or first to pick up a book in class. He has captured the visual essence of her as an adult, with many illustrations of her almost photo-real. I especially admire the determination and appreciation that Chisholm exhibits on the book's cover. We are visually transported back in time.
Don't just save this for Black History, Women's History Month or around Presidential elections time. Get it out there and share it year 'round!
Highly Recommended for grades K-5.
September 1, 2020
'On a cold November day in 1924, Shirley Anita St. Hill came into this world. Back then, nobody had an inkling that she would open a door to history.
Shirley, the oldest of the St. Hill girls, was a handful for Mother and Papa. From the time she was litle, Shirley liked to be in charge. At three, she was already leading children twice her age around the neighborhood, telling them where to go and which games to play.
"Listen to me!" Shirley said. And they did.' --- first two-page layout of book
From the first page, Russell-Brown (the author) and Velasquez (the illustrator) pull young readers in with an energetic narrative and strong response-provoking illustrations.
As you probably noted in the quote from the first two pages, early on Russell-Brown begins developing a picture of Chisholm's personality and the place she would take in the world in addition to sharing particular life events. Russell-Brown's descriptive language like "rocky days at sea" and "rickety bus," comparisons (e.g., Chisholm's grandmother "stood as tall as a reed, and she looked like serious business" and "the ocean water felt like warm magic"), and choice of quotes by Chisholm (e.g., "Don't judge me by my size. Give me a chance!") help to develop readers' understanding without giving them everything. In other words, Russell-Brown provides rich language to describe Chisholm’s life and then leaves room for readers to make their own inferences and interpretations. THANK YOU.
Velasquez's illustrations are worthy of slowing down to look at closely, particularly the facial expressions of Shirley and the people in her life. Honestly, I think young students who are not reading fluently yet, could just look closely at the illustrations, tell the story for themselves and get most of it right! Love the split panels (four panels across two pages) --that reveal multiple aspects of a period in Chisholm's life like all the things she did when she lived with her grandmother and siblings in Barbados and the multiple activities she participated in while at Brooklyn College. All of this helps the reader develop a depth of understanding.
Don't skip the AUTHOR'S NOTE--lots of photographs of Chisholm and additional details. Could easily be read aloud to older students.
For an INTERACTIVE READ ALOUD with 2nd-5th grade - if you have the luxury, I'd read this aloud a first time just for the joy of hearing this amazing woman’s story, maybe encouraging students to raise their hands and ask questions for pondering along the way. At the end of the first reading or during a second reading - or for older students, maybe a partner or small group reading, I'd pose some QUESTIONS for discussion—
*How do the illustration and the language Russell-Brown uses to describe Chisholm’s grandmother both support you in figuring out what kind of woman she was?
*What does the line “During the day, Shirley worked with children. In the evenings, she worked with community groups” tell you about Chisholm?
*Would you want Shirley Chisholm to represent you in Congress? Why or why not?
*Based on what se learned about Shirley Chisholm, what should we expect from our congressional representative?
*How do both Russell-Brown and Velasquez use the concept of “examples” to deepen your understanding of Shirley Chisholm’s commitment to helping others? (In several places in the book, Velasquez several examples to support a point and Velasquez relies on the split panels to illustrate these examples.
*There's a theme of "OPEN DOORS" and "CLOSED DOORS" in the book. What does Russell-Brown mean early in the book when she writes “nobody had an inkling that she would open a door to history”? Later in the book, what does she mean by “Most doors were closed to her because she was Black and she was a woman”? OR look through the book at the different doors Velasquez includes in the illustrations—some are closed (the door to her father’s den where he discussed politics with friends) and some are wide open (an illustration of Chisholm’s grandmother introducing her to the outhouse, when her mother says good-bye - the door to the grandmother’s house is wide open). The split panels are rectangular and could be considered “doors.” (Not sure if that was Velasquez’s intent but it might be fun to hear students’ interpretations.)
Shirley, the oldest of the St. Hill girls, was a handful for Mother and Papa. From the time she was litle, Shirley liked to be in charge. At three, she was already leading children twice her age around the neighborhood, telling them where to go and which games to play.
"Listen to me!" Shirley said. And they did.' --- first two-page layout of book
From the first page, Russell-Brown (the author) and Velasquez (the illustrator) pull young readers in with an energetic narrative and strong response-provoking illustrations.
As you probably noted in the quote from the first two pages, early on Russell-Brown begins developing a picture of Chisholm's personality and the place she would take in the world in addition to sharing particular life events. Russell-Brown's descriptive language like "rocky days at sea" and "rickety bus," comparisons (e.g., Chisholm's grandmother "stood as tall as a reed, and she looked like serious business" and "the ocean water felt like warm magic"), and choice of quotes by Chisholm (e.g., "Don't judge me by my size. Give me a chance!") help to develop readers' understanding without giving them everything. In other words, Russell-Brown provides rich language to describe Chisholm’s life and then leaves room for readers to make their own inferences and interpretations. THANK YOU.
Velasquez's illustrations are worthy of slowing down to look at closely, particularly the facial expressions of Shirley and the people in her life. Honestly, I think young students who are not reading fluently yet, could just look closely at the illustrations, tell the story for themselves and get most of it right! Love the split panels (four panels across two pages) --that reveal multiple aspects of a period in Chisholm's life like all the things she did when she lived with her grandmother and siblings in Barbados and the multiple activities she participated in while at Brooklyn College. All of this helps the reader develop a depth of understanding.
Don't skip the AUTHOR'S NOTE--lots of photographs of Chisholm and additional details. Could easily be read aloud to older students.
For an INTERACTIVE READ ALOUD with 2nd-5th grade - if you have the luxury, I'd read this aloud a first time just for the joy of hearing this amazing woman’s story, maybe encouraging students to raise their hands and ask questions for pondering along the way. At the end of the first reading or during a second reading - or for older students, maybe a partner or small group reading, I'd pose some QUESTIONS for discussion—
*How do the illustration and the language Russell-Brown uses to describe Chisholm’s grandmother both support you in figuring out what kind of woman she was?
*What does the line “During the day, Shirley worked with children. In the evenings, she worked with community groups” tell you about Chisholm?
*Would you want Shirley Chisholm to represent you in Congress? Why or why not?
*Based on what se learned about Shirley Chisholm, what should we expect from our congressional representative?
*How do both Russell-Brown and Velasquez use the concept of “examples” to deepen your understanding of Shirley Chisholm’s commitment to helping others? (In several places in the book, Velasquez several examples to support a point and Velasquez relies on the split panels to illustrate these examples.
*There's a theme of "OPEN DOORS" and "CLOSED DOORS" in the book. What does Russell-Brown mean early in the book when she writes “nobody had an inkling that she would open a door to history”? Later in the book, what does she mean by “Most doors were closed to her because she was Black and she was a woman”? OR look through the book at the different doors Velasquez includes in the illustrations—some are closed (the door to her father’s den where he discussed politics with friends) and some are wide open (an illustration of Chisholm’s grandmother introducing her to the outhouse, when her mother says good-bye - the door to the grandmother’s house is wide open). The split panels are rectangular and could be considered “doors.” (Not sure if that was Velasquez’s intent but it might be fun to hear students’ interpretations.)
August 15, 2020
Fabulous picture book biography. Especially relevant in 2020.
July 3, 2020
This was an excellent picture book about Shirley Chisholm. I loved the way the story was written and the illustrations were very well done.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2020
This is a book that when I downloaded it has a different title, so I don't know which title will stick when published, but using the ISBN this is the one!
It's an awesome picture book biography of Shirley Chisholm who was born in the city, then was raised for the majority of her elementary school years in the Barbados with her extended family, before reuniting with her parents who were making ends meet in the States. She took charge right from the beginning and had opinions and fought for others which led her to a life of public service (and for a while teaching). She was a petite woman who was the first black woman to run for president (she didn't win the nomination) and I loved her slogan for Congress "unbought and unbossed". I'm glad she took that slogan to the title of one of the books she wrote about her life. It's a testament to her work.
The soft colors of the illustrations are lovely and the chronology is classic.
It's an awesome picture book biography of Shirley Chisholm who was born in the city, then was raised for the majority of her elementary school years in the Barbados with her extended family, before reuniting with her parents who were making ends meet in the States. She took charge right from the beginning and had opinions and fought for others which led her to a life of public service (and for a while teaching). She was a petite woman who was the first black woman to run for president (she didn't win the nomination) and I loved her slogan for Congress "unbought and unbossed". I'm glad she took that slogan to the title of one of the books she wrote about her life. It's a testament to her work.
The soft colors of the illustrations are lovely and the chronology is classic.
March 20, 2021
Inspirational picture book telling the story of Shirley Chisholm, a woman of many firsts including first Black female to be elected to the NY State Assembly and Congress, and run for the US Presidency.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2020
I love biographies like this that do justice to Chisolm’s childhood/early life, important representation, I think, to young readers. Too often BIPOC folks especially are depicted as older too soon in stories about a whole life, when in fact, someone’s youth is important to their development and identity, specifically as it pertains to motivating their social justice work. The writing was straightforward but engaging and well done. The artwork was subtle and soft. I had been looking forward to this one, and it exceeded my expectations.
September 30, 2024
At the museum of the City of New York
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November 16, 2020This wonderful picture book biography highlights the life and career of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress. There's no better time to read a biography of a trailblazer!
December 15, 2020
She Was the First! The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm is a children's picture book written by Katheryn Russell-Brown and illustrated by Eric Velásquez. This biography shows how Shirley Chisolm's upbringing and talents led to her career in politics and her historic run for the U.S. presidency.
Shirley Anita Chisholm was an American politician, educator, and author. In 1968, she became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, representing New York's 12th congressional district for seven terms from 1969–1983. In the 1972 United States presidential election, she became the first African-American candidate for a major party's nomination for President of the United States, and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.
Russell-Brown's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. It traces the remarkable Shirley Chisholm’s life from her childhood in Brooklyn and Barbados to her work as a teacher and community activist, to her groundbreaking political career. Backmatter includes an afterword with a fuller biographical information, photographs, and sources. Velasquez's realistic watercolor images use a photographic sensibility to present snapshots of Chisholm's life.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It shows the life and times of Shirley Chisholm as she grew up during the Depression, but excelled in her studies to become a teacher and eventually enter politics and to become the first black woman to run for president, but lost the presidential nominee for her party.
All in all, She Was the First! The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm is an important historical figure made beautiful and engaging.
Shirley Anita Chisholm was an American politician, educator, and author. In 1968, she became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, representing New York's 12th congressional district for seven terms from 1969–1983. In the 1972 United States presidential election, she became the first African-American candidate for a major party's nomination for President of the United States, and the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.
Russell-Brown's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. It traces the remarkable Shirley Chisholm’s life from her childhood in Brooklyn and Barbados to her work as a teacher and community activist, to her groundbreaking political career. Backmatter includes an afterword with a fuller biographical information, photographs, and sources. Velasquez's realistic watercolor images use a photographic sensibility to present snapshots of Chisholm's life.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It shows the life and times of Shirley Chisholm as she grew up during the Depression, but excelled in her studies to become a teacher and eventually enter politics and to become the first black woman to run for president, but lost the presidential nominee for her party.
All in all, She Was the First! The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm is an important historical figure made beautiful and engaging.
November 4, 2022
She Was the First! Book Review! The author is Katheryn Russel-Brown, and the illustrator is Eric Velaquez.The book’s copyright date was 2020.This book told me a lot about Shirley Chisholm’s life, the characters were great, and it made me feel how wrong it was that not everyone had rights!
Shirley Chisholm was a great leader. She wanted rights for women and colored people. But, the government didn't want those people to have rights. So, she became a senator. Then, she got rights for women and colored people!
Here’s my opinion of the characters. Shirley Chisholm wanted everyone to have rights. She was an amazing leader. She became a senator to lead one state then, she ran for president to lead the whole country but, sadly she lost.The government thought Shirley’s ideas were wrong. They didn’t want women or colored people to have rights.
In some parts this book made me feel sad, but in others it made me feel happy. It made me feel sad because women or colored people didn’t have rights. It also made me feel like this when Shirley and her sisters had to leave their family because of money issues. It made me feel happy because women and colored people got rights! It also made me feel like this because Shirley was the first woman or colored person to become a senator, and she was the first of these people to run for president!
This book told me a lot about Shirley Chisholm’s life, the characters were great, and it made me feel how wrong it was that not everyone had rights!I would recommend this book to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders who like history. I wouldn’t recommend this book to 5th grade, and above, or people who only like fiction.
Shirley Chisholm was a great leader. She wanted rights for women and colored people. But, the government didn't want those people to have rights. So, she became a senator. Then, she got rights for women and colored people!
Here’s my opinion of the characters. Shirley Chisholm wanted everyone to have rights. She was an amazing leader. She became a senator to lead one state then, she ran for president to lead the whole country but, sadly she lost.The government thought Shirley’s ideas were wrong. They didn’t want women or colored people to have rights.
In some parts this book made me feel sad, but in others it made me feel happy. It made me feel sad because women or colored people didn’t have rights. It also made me feel like this when Shirley and her sisters had to leave their family because of money issues. It made me feel happy because women and colored people got rights! It also made me feel like this because Shirley was the first woman or colored person to become a senator, and she was the first of these people to run for president!
This book told me a lot about Shirley Chisholm’s life, the characters were great, and it made me feel how wrong it was that not everyone had rights!I would recommend this book to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders who like history. I wouldn’t recommend this book to 5th grade, and above, or people who only like fiction.
January 20, 2021
Picture book biography, politics. In the news around the recent election, I have heard the name Shirley Chisholm tossed around and was glad to see this new biography to learn more. Chisholm (nee St. Hill) was a born leader. She lived with her maternal grandmother in Barbados for several years so her parents could try to get out of the Great Depression. This had the affect of normalizing Black people in all walks of life. She was a good student and fast learner, who eventually joined the debate team. Her home was filled with books and newspapers and she listened to the conversations her parents had on world events behind closed doors. Shirley worked as a teacher and was active in community groups, eventually realizing how people who were poor were not treated very well. She started standing up for others, especially women and people of color. In 1964 she was elected as the first Black woman to the NY State Assembly. Four years later she had the same honor in the US Congress. She was the first Black person to run for president on a major political party ticket and ultimately served as a congresswoman for 14 years. Back matter includes a thorough afterword, photographs, and sources.
It was very interesting to read about this inspiring woman from our country's history. I loved the illustrations by Velasquez, which showed realistic portrayals and were easy to follow. In this era of more and more women becoming politically active (up to our VP-elect!) this is a good reference for how those doors were opened.
It was very interesting to read about this inspiring woman from our country's history. I loved the illustrations by Velasquez, which showed realistic portrayals and were easy to follow. In this era of more and more women becoming politically active (up to our VP-elect!) this is a good reference for how those doors were opened.
November 29, 2023
Such a great biography! I really enjoyed reading about how Shirley Chisholm was such an amazing leader who just wanted to help the less fortunate, people of color, and mainly people who didn’t have as much power as the white community. I loved how she was a dedicated woman, hardworking, and persistent when it came to standing up for herself and others, and open to try new things such as politics. I mainly chose this book because I had personally never heard of Shirley Chisholm and to my surprise, she was such a warrior and was the first Black Women to run for president! I truly enjoyed how the author also included an “Afterword” section at the end of the book so that we were able to learn a little more about her. On the other hand, the illustrator did an amazing job with the illustrations, I think they were very well done and stood out incredibly. This book would be perfect for children in the upper-class such as 4th and 5th grade, and I think would be a great choice for a biography chronicles section of our classroom.
January 14, 2021
I was inspired by Shirley Chisholm’s initial decision to begin making a difference by helping children by becoming a schoolteacher instead of a politician. However, unbeknownst to me, teaching was one of the only professional doors open to young Black women at the time. She spent several of her early years growing up with her grandmother in Barbados where “the furniture was sparse and plain, but...elaborately furnished with the two necessities: warmth and love.” She followed her grandmother’s advice always to speak the truth. I loved the way “Shirley dusted off the mean talk” and her campaign slogan, “Unbought and Unbossed.” She was a self-professed “catalyst of change.” While she may not have one the nomination, “her work opened a door to history for the first Black president and the first female president to be. Her legacy is celebrated annually November 30 and you can take a virtual visit to the Brooklyn State Park named in her honor.
March 26, 2021
Here’s a good picture book to enlighten folks about an important political figure of the past. Didn’t learn about Shirley Chisholm when I was learning history, but she made a difference for Black Americans and women as well as others when she was a member of Congress. I am glad that her name has been prominently stated in many of the 2020-2021 Presidential election and inaugural events; glad I was able to learn about this trailblazer. It would be interesting to also read one of her two authored books; will have to see if our library has copies. The illustrations were really fantastic; my favorite was of Shirley listening behind here closed bedroom door to her Papa and his friends discussing politics. What a well-read family—education is crucial to improving one’s life and the society too.
April 29, 2021
This was a wonderful picture book biography of the history-making life of Shirley Chisholm. Russell-Brown begins with Shirley's birth, telling the story of both her childhood in Brooklyn and with her grandmother in Barbados, and continues through the high points of her political career. The summary is wonderful, and it is best suited for students in grades 1 through 3. The hidden surprise is in the extensive backmatter. This is a gold mine for educators with students in grades 3-6. It's the less "glossed-over" version that is told in the picture book and filled with more extensive historical background. It really adds to the heft of the book and makes it worth a check-out from a local library.
August 25, 2025
Often I am reminded of how white-washed my history lessons were while I was growing up. As an adult, I try to fill-in the gaps, color in the lines, so to speak. Picture books and young reader books can be perfect for adults as well, giving older readers a quick, digestible snapshot about a notable person or an important event. With the election of Barack Obama, Shirley Chisholm rose back into the spotlight. Paired with the lush illustrations of Eric Velasquez and the more detailed afterword by Katheryn Russell-Brown, She Was the First! does a wonderful job of providing a brief overview of the life of the incredible woman who became the first Black woman to run for president of the United States.
June 8, 2022
"The people who needed help were glad Shirley was on their side, fighting to make sure they were treated fairly."
The story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to Congress. From her early family days, where education was a high priority, to her time living in Barbados with her grandmother; From her time as a teacher to the time that she decided to enter politics, Shirley demonstrated grit and determination to pursue her chance to help those people who didn't have a voice. "She fought for what she believed was right, not what was easy."
Includes an extensive afterword and a bibliography of sources.
The story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman to be elected to Congress. From her early family days, where education was a high priority, to her time living in Barbados with her grandmother; From her time as a teacher to the time that she decided to enter politics, Shirley demonstrated grit and determination to pursue her chance to help those people who didn't have a voice. "She fought for what she believed was right, not what was easy."
Includes an extensive afterword and a bibliography of sources.
October 20, 2020
Very informative with great detail about Chisholm's humble roots, experiences in Barbados etc. I knew almost nothing about Shirley prior to reading this book. What an inspiration and firecracker too! Just incredible what she accomplished and how much she did in service to the less fortunate. The illustrations didn't work as well for me. Some facial expressions seemed off to me. Also bothered me to read Shirley was 3 when she went to Barbados as she look about 8 in the illustration. Just seemed like an odd choice
January 15, 2021
Very well done. Lots of text for a picture book biography but I like that that will make it very readable for a primary grades audience and includes a lot of important details in her life. Appreciate that it is both an own voices illustrator and author and the illustrations were also well done. Back matter is phenomenal...I always like it when picture book biographies have good back matter but also thoroughly tell the story in text.
December 1, 2020
This book is based on the true story of Shirley Chisolm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. Shirley pushed for laws that helped woman, children, Native people, students, low income workers and people who were otherwise ignored. This book is packed with information so it would probably be best for a fourth grade classroom.
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December 20, 2020Learn about Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first Black person to try to run for President of the United States as a major party candidate. This book starts at the beginning--while she was a child in Brooklyn and later Barbados and when she returned to New York City to complete high school and college, as well as following her journey into politics.
December 26, 2020
Solid biography of Shirley Chisholm. The author includes a fair amount of information about Chisholm's growing up years, making it easier for young readers to relate to her efforts and accomplishments later in life. Good to pair with the picture book Shirley Chisholm is a Verb--both of these biographies came out in 2020.
August 18, 2021
A necessary biographical children's book for all elementary libraries! Tells the stories through marvelous pictures and language of trailblazing Shirley Chisholm and how her life led her to public service and to being the leader of many firsts--including being the first black woman to run for PResident.
November 10, 2021
Biographies; Picture books for children
Grades 2 - 5
Award Winner:
Notable Books for a Global Society: 2021
Rise: A Feminist Book Project List - Beginning Readers Nonfiction: 2021
NoveList Link:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.as...
Grades 2 - 5
Award Winner:
Notable Books for a Global Society: 2021
Rise: A Feminist Book Project List - Beginning Readers Nonfiction: 2021
NoveList Link:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.as...
March 1, 2022
Exhausting disappointing seemingly meaningless work-day, feeling stifled to no end. Came to a nearby library, and now sitting in the children's corner, the best cure for any day, a balm over and then some. Here's another book of simplicity, clarity, goodness, strength -- the kind of story to tell daughters on a cold grey evening.
November 7, 2023
This book is so relevant in this day and age! It is so important that young readers learn abut how they really live in a world of so many firsts that they get to witness sometimes first hand. This story depicts the life and upbringing of Shirley Chisholm and does an amazing job telling the story to young minds.
April 22, 2024
In this biography of Shirley Chisholm's journey of life milestones, students will learn more about her early stages of leadership, college influence, and her political importance in our history. She was an influential educator and politician and should be known. I think this would be a great book for the classroom and another way to learn more about forgotten names in our history.
January 8, 2021
Great introduction for young people to the important life of Shirley Chisholm. Every school library needs more picture book biographies of women, and especially women of color. So, this will be a great addition.
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March 13, 2021She Was the First is informative, packed with information that rolls through its pages like a good story. It brings Shirley Chisholm's incredible life and work to a new generation and would be fantastic as a read aloud in a school setting or at home.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews