The paintings in this book are pretty incredible. I love the gestures of the people. They are so expressive. Also every detail is drawn- the patterns in the furniture, the painting on the wall, lines in the floorboards. It is a classic looking children’s book style but there’s something special about these illustrations. They are very alive. The text is actually a poem- “Mood Indigo” by Ntozake Shange from her collection A Daughter’s Geography. It’s about all the people that gathered in her living room(Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillispie, Paul Robeson, Kwame Nkrumah) told from a child’s perspective. I love the big “family portrait” spread. This book won the Coretta Scott King Award. You can get a copy of it here and learn more about the illustrator Kadir Nelson here. (also available are prints of his work.)

© Julia Rothman 2007