Thursday, January 15, 2015

Let Freedom Sing by Vanessa Newton

Music played a huge role in the Civil Rights movement of the 1950's and 1960's.  Songs motivated the activists during marches, meetings, and demonstrations.  They expressed the desire of freedom and equality for all.

Many of the protest songs were African-American spirituals.  The lyrics were changed to speak about the hardships of the day.

One of those songs was "This Little Light of Mine".  It became an anthem for the movement thanks to the efforts of civil rights activities.

This book adapts the words of the song "This Little Light of Mine" to explain the Civil Rights movement to children.  Interspersed with the familiar lyrics are new lyrics talking about segregation, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., the Little Rock Nine, and many more pivotal moments and people during the Civil Rights movement up through President Barack Obama.

This is a great book to introduce young children to the history, hope, and courage of the Civil Rights Movement.  Complex historical figures and events are explained with just a few simple lines for each.  The accompanying illustrations capture the events in pictures that the youngest children can understand.

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