Miles of Style, illustrated by Lynn Gaines, and A Flea for Justice, illustrated by TeMika Grooms, were mentioned in a recent Miami Times Online article entitled “In picture book biographies, Black kids can see themselves, and what they can be,” written by Nosakhere A. Griffin-EL,Ph.D.
The author writes, “picture book biographies can be powerful tools for helping Black children imagine their future selves, overcome personal barriers, navigate big emotions, even use their talents to make the world a better place. ”
He goes on to highlight Flea for Justice and Miles of Style: “In the book A Flea for Justice, author Valerie Bolling shows how Marian Wright Edelman used her frustration and disappointment over racial injustice to make the world a better place by founding the Children’s Defense Fund and the Freedom Schools initiative. For kids struggling with big emotions, this book can be a tool to help them convert those feelings into positive change…In her book Miles of Style, Lisa Brathwaite writes about how fashion icon and entrepreneur Eunice Johnson used her exceptional fashion sense to found Ebony Magazine, which serves as an inspiration for Black women and continues to spark the imagination of Black people across the country. In addition to creating the magazine, Johnson founded the Ebony Fashion Show, which traveled to 66 cities across the United States from 1958 to 2009 to raise money for philanthropic causes. It’s an enduring lesson for children about how to use their talents to impact their community in big and small ways.”
You can read the full article here.