The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Harper
(HarperCollins)
(pub. 1.30.2024)
48 pages
Ages 4- 8
Author: Michelle Meadows
Illustrator: Jamiel Law
Character: James Baldwin
Overview:
" Before he became a writer, James “Jimmy” Baldwin was a young boy from Harlem, New York, who loved stories. He found joy in the rhythm of music, family, and books.
But Jimmy also found the blues, as a Black man living in America.
When he discovered the written word, he discovered true power. Writing gave him a voice. And that voice opened the world to Jimmy. From the publication of the groundbreaking collection of essays The Fire Next Time to his passionate demonstrations during the civil rights movement, Jimmy used his voice fearlessly."
Tantalizing taste:
"Jazz is passion purple,
paintbrushes, bebop, blues,
singing, swinging, soul.
On the advice of a friend, Jimmy met a painter.
Knocking on Beauford Delaney's door in Greenwich Village changed Jimmy's life.
Beauford was kind.
He introduced Jimmy to jazz and the blues,
to the stories of Black people tucked inside music,
to art, color, and light.
He showed Jimmy how to see with an artist's eyes."
And something more: In the Author's note, Michelle Meadows explains: "While writing this book, it moved me most to learn how James Baldwin found comfort in words from a young age. Words have always soothed me too. My mother says that when I was a child, I left little notes all around the house about how I was feeling. I hope this book inspires young readers to find joy and power through written expression."
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