  | Book Details Title: The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver |
Book DescriptionReview “An expressive picture book… Barretta creates a strong impression of Carver’s delight in nature, drive to learn, and sense of purpose. The oil paintings by Morrison, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor recipient, reinforce those impressions with glorious scenes of the woodland garden and sensitive, dignified portrayals of Carver.” (Booklist (starred review))”The beautiful oil on board illustrations show the wonder of young Carver as he contemplates the petals on a flower or the first green sprouts of spring. Barretta’s prose, combined with Morrison’s art, fully illuminates the depth of Carter’s considerable contributions to the science of agriculture, the farming community, and racial equality… A well-thought-out biography that highlights a different side of Carver and will be a first purchase for school and public library collections.” (School Library Journal (starred review))”The substantial text holds readers on each spread long enough to appreciate not only the subject matter of the painted illustrations, but Morrison’s artistic techniques―strong strokes and careful dots, artful combinations of textures and shapes… Memorable art earns this biography a respectable place on the shelf. ” (Kirkus Reviews)”Barretta opens this sensitive biography on a moment of triumph as Carver overcomes the scorn of a roomful of white congressmen in 1921… Through myriad lush garden scenes and impressive portraiture by Morrison, Carver emerges as a generous figure, a “living folk hero,” able to do whatever he set out to and “always ready to serve humanity.”” (Publishers Weekly) Read more About the Author Gene Barretta is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books. He is the recipient of the Carolyn W. Field Award and the Bank Street Cook Prize Honor. His books include Lincoln and Kennedy: A Pair to Compare, Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin, Dear Deer: A Book of Homophones, and Muhammad Ali. Gene has contributed illustrations and animation to Sesame Street and Between the Lions. He has also designed characters for the Jim Henson Company. He lives in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. You can visit him online at www.genebarretta.com.Frank Morrison is the award-winning illustrator of many books for young readers, including Jazzy Miz Mozetta by Brenda C. Roberts, winner of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent; Katheryn Russell-Brown’s Little Melba and Her Big Trombone, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor book; and Gene Barretta’s Muhammad Ali. Before becoming a children’s book illustrator and fine artist, Morrison toured the globe as a break-dancer. He lives in Georgia with his family. You can visit him online at www.morrisongraphics.com. Read more Customers Review:I saw this book in a bookstore and was impressed by its gorgeous illustrations so I bought a copy as a gift to my son’s kindergarten classroom on his birthday. It was perfect. The reading level is labeled accurately for 4-8 year olds and the words, despite rudimentary, really touches one’s heart. | |
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