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A Band of Angels: A Story Inspired by the Jubilee Singers {review}

review_band_angelsOne of the good points about moving to West Tennessee is being in the midst of so many places where significant events in African American history (and American history) took place. We are about four hours away from where the Little Rock Nine ignored threats of lynching and bravely integrated an Arkansas high school; about five hours away from where Rosa Parks refused to get up from her seat after a hard day at work, which later sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott; about three hours away from where students joined the sit-in movement to bring racial equality into (in Nashville) eating establishments and about two hours away from the Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. This is especially profound to me after having had the opportunity to visit his birth place.

Many of these events are well known and dark times in our history, but on the other side are many inspiring and brighter events that took place.

We are about four hours away from the birthplace of Wilma Rudolph who, despite being struck with Polio as a child, became the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field at the 1960 Olympics and about two hours away from the infamous Beale Street, which is also known as Home of the Blues and where many influential and eventually famous African American musicians got their start singing the blues. It is also home of Memphis’ first black millionaire, Robert R. Church.

We are also just three hours away from where a group of nine eager black students set out to earn money for their school and an education. They also inspired the world through their “new” style of music.

A Band of Angels: A Story Inspired by the Jubilee Singers tells us about the birth of the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University (then Fisk School), an all black college that was opened in Nashville to educate the recently freed slaves at the end of the Civil War. Most of the students who attended the school worked hard for their education by saving up monies earned from their many jobs all the while maintaining their hope and dream of obtaining an education; something that had been denied them in the past only because they were black.

Aunt Mary Beth, the family treasure keeper – keeper of the stories/history of the family – shares the favorite story of her niece, whose great-great-great grandmother, Ella (Sheppard-Moore), was one of the original members of the Jubilee Singers. Although the story is fiction, it was inspired by many factual events that happened during that time. It also shows how valued an education was to many students during that period.

Ella saves money from her many jobs to earn enough tuition to attend Fisk School. Despite the fact she has not earned enough for the full tuition by the time school begins, she packs her bags, and with determination heads to Nashville to begin her college education.

Although Ella is first a pianist (later becoming the choir pianist), she also has a beautiful singing voice. She is invited to join the school choir where they learn popular songs sung by white people, but also the “old slave songs” that many of the students, some former slaves, also sang while growing up.

Fisk School becomes threatened with closure due to the lack of maintenance funds and it is due to the ingenious idea of Professor George White and the talent of the Jubilee Singers that Fisk School is able to remain open and cements the choir’s place in history as they raise funds for their education and introduce the world to the Negro spiritual.

A Band of Angels provides a bit of Tennessee history and offers inspiration encouraging you to not give up regardless of the obstacles you may face.

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©2015 Kid Madison. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author, http://kidmadison.com.

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Alfie Runs Away {review}

review_alfie_runs_away“I am running away!”

If you are a mommy, then I am sure you have heard that statement at least once. If you have not, then that means your kid knows he has a good thing going and is not running anywhere. Just in case he surprises you one day, let me prepare you by suggesting you read this book to him. It will make you laugh and remind your child how much he is loved at home.

Alfie (Alfie Runs Away), on the other hand, has yet to realize how good he has got it. His mother makes his life rather difficult. I mean really, what kind of mother requires you to take baths, or make up your bed or even set the table? Well, Alfie’s mother does and he is just plain tired of the “madness.”

What finally sends Alfie “packing” is when his mother decides to give away his favorite red shoes. She does not make this decision to be mean, but rather, because Alfie is growing up and has outgrown his red shoes.

With blanket and pillow in hand, and red shoes on feet, Alfie prepares to run away from home. Rather than stopping him, his mother suggests he take a water bottle in case he grows thirsty. He accepts the water bottle, but is not swayed by her kindness; he is still running away. As the story continues, his mother suggests a few other items Alfie should take to make his journey more manageable. By the time he makes it to the front door, Alfie has a bag full of “stuff” filled with just about everything he “owns”, and his mother gives him one last thing to “pack”; a hug.

Determined, Alfie leaves with his heavy bag, but only makes it to the far end of the backyard where he decides to stop and rest before continuing on his journey. After all, he has everything he needs in his bag, or does he?

Kenneth Cadow has written a sweet book reminding parents of the “silly” things our children say to us, but often do not really mean. Cadow also reminds parents of the growing pains children may experience when faced with the loss of treasured items of their childhood. Alfie’s solution at the end of the story and his realization that everything that really matters can not be packed into a bag, is a nice conclusion to this adorable story.

What are some of the cherished items your children have from their childhood? What are some of the items you will save (have saved) for your memories of them?

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©2015 Kid Madison. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://kidmadison.com.

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The Berenstain Bears’ Please & Thank You Book {review}

review_berenstain_bears_please_thankyouHot cookies are baking in the oven with eager cubs expectantly waiting for them to cool. Excitement takes over and manners are forgotten and replaced with demands of “I want a cookie!” This sets in motion an opportunity for the cubs along with the readers of The Berenstain Bears’ Please & Thank You Book to learn a lesson.

Mama Bear is as gentle as a mother should be and reminds Brother, Sister and Honey that good manners when you want something should include the “magic word”. One by one, the cubs say “please,” which is rewarded with a cookie. The cubs are also reminded how to respond with “thank you” after “someone does something nice for you.” Of course, Mama Bear always remembers her manners and she responds “you’re welcome” to her cubs.

Mike Berenstain continues the legacy of The Berenstain Bears’ started by his parents, Stan and Jan, more than 50 years ago in 1962. Just as his parents did in their previous books, which includes more than 300 titles, there is a lesson to be learned; three as a matter of fact.

The Berenstain Bears’ Please & Thank You Book is a short, but resourceful board-book that teaches or reminds children of the polite way to respond when desiring and receiving something they would like. Children also gain an understanding of the polite way to respond to someone who has good manners.

Your children may already know the magic word and will be able to give you the correct response before Mama Bear reminds her cubs. Through the loving and polite interaction of Papa, Mother Bear and the cubs, your toddler or preschoolers will see that Mama Bear is right when she says “things go more smoothly when we remember our manners.”

The stories of the lovable family of the Berenstain Bears continues to educate, amuse and entertain a new generation of readers. The Berenstain Bears’ Please & Thank You Book is one you will enjoy sharing with your children.

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©2015 Kid Madison. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author, http://kidmadison.com.