This evening I would like to share a new children’s book with you Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth which I received a copy of in exchange for this review.
Charlie fell asleep this evening while David was at work, and I was bored and new I was supposed to read a book this evening, so I went to sit at my desk when I found Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth.
I opened the book and found myself drawn inside and asking myself questions about Junettenth and how I could teach Charlie about this Holiday and as I did I flipped through the book and found a recipe Charlie and I can make for our Homeschool Cooking Class.
Not only there is a timeline which Charlie can study and look up online to learn even more about Juneteenth and the Celebrations people hold on Juneteenth. As I read about Opal Lee, I found myself asking questions and researching online for the answers which Charlie can help me do in his Homeschool History class.
Making Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth the perfect book not only for Homeschooling Families but Teachers and Librarians of all kinds. Or families wanting to teach there children about the World before they were born.
About:
The true story of Black activist Opal Lee and her vision of Juneteenth as a Holiday for everyone celebrates Black joy and inspires children to see their dreams blossom. Growing up in Texas, Opal knew the history of Juneteenth, but she soon discovered that many Americans had never heard of the Holiday that represents the nation’s creed of “freedom for all.”
Every year, Opal looked forward to the Juneteenth picnic–a drumming, dancing, delicious party. She knew from Granddaddy Zak’s stories that Juneteenth celebrated the day the freedom news of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation finally sailed into Texas in 1865–over two years after the President had declared it! But Opal didn’t always see freedom in her Texas town. Then one Juneteenth day when Opal was twelve years old, an angry crowd burned down her brand-new home. This wasn’t freedom at all. She had to do something! Opal Lee spent the rest of her life speaking up for equality and unity. She became a teacher, a charity worker, and a community leader. At the age of 89, she walked from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C., in an effort to gain national recognition for Juneteenth.
Through the story of Opal Lee’s determination and persistence, children ages 4 to 8 will learn:
- all people are created equal
- the power of bravery and using your voice for change
- the history of Juneteenth, or Freedom Day, and what it means today
- no one is free unless everyone is free
- fighting for a dream is worth every difficulty
Featuring the illustrations of New York Times bestselling illustrator Keturah A. Bobo (I am Enough), Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free celebrates the life and legacy of a modern-day Black leader while sharing a message of hope, unity, joy, and strength.
About Alice Faye Duncan
Website: Email: AFDuncan@aol.com
Alice Faye Duncan writes books for young readers and adults. HONEY BABY SUGAR CHILD is a mother’s love song to her baby. The lyrical text sings and swings just like music.
MEMPHIS, MARTIN AND THE MOUNTAINTOP (The 1968 Sanitation Strike) is a lyrical combination of Poetry and Prose that explores Dr. King’s assassination and his last stand for economic justice. The illustrator is Caldecott Honor recipient, Gregory Christie.
12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN TENNESSEE is a child’s travel guide across the Volunteer State (GO VOLS!). Two Cousins in ugly Holiday sweaters visit important landmarks throughout the State, while traveling in a minivan called the “Reindeer Express.”
A SONG FOR GWENDOLYN BROOKS is the first picture book biography to explore the life and times of Chicago Poet–Gwendolyn Brooks. In 1950, Miss Brooks was the first African American writer to receive a Pulitzer Prize.
Alice’s book–JUST LIKE A MAMA made its debut on Mother’s Day (2019). The illustrator is Charnelle Pinkney Barlow. This book was a 2021 NAACP Image Award Nomination for BEST BOOK IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 16, 2021) – Children begin forming internal biases about race as early as 3 months old, research from the American Psychological Association tells us. It is essential to give parents resources they can trust that come from people of color and present hard truths of History and the challenges still faced alongside celebrations of the progress made, depictions of black joy, and a hopeful vision for tomorrow.
Author and NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Literary Work for Children, Alice Faye Duncan’s upcoming picture book, Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth (January 11, 2022, Thomas Nelson), celebrates the vision and tenacity of activist Opal Lee with a message of hope, unity, joy, and strength.
As an educator of the Civil Rights Movement, Duncan’s writings have highlighted biographies of Black artists and moments seldom told in American History. Her picture books are known to provide context and education regarding the Black struggle for equal rights in America.
A biographical children’s book, Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free features illustrations from New York Times bestselling illustrator Keturah A. Bobo (I Am Enough) and tells the true story of Black activist Opal Lee’s mission to make Juneteenth a Federal Holiday. Told through the voice of Opal Lee, young readers learn about her life as she shares past and present realities with her grandson and his friends at a Juneteenth picnic.
Growing up in Texas, Opal Lee knew the History of Juneteenth, but she discovered that many Americans had never heard of the Holiday that represents the Nation’s creed of “freedom for all.” Opal Lee learned from her grandfather that Juneteenth celebrated the day the news of President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation and the freedom of slaves finally reached Texas in 1865, more than two years after the president had declared it.
Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day and Black Independence Day commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement (Juneteenth.com). Duncan’s book is an educational and artistic resource explaining this holiday and Opal Lee’s experience as a child and woman.
“If we don’t keep a record of history, people will say it never happened,” said Duncan. “I wrote the Opal Lee story to help children remember America’s past, so they won’t repeat the same misdeeds.”
Opal Lee would go on to speak up for equality and unity. She became a teacher, a charity worker, and a community leader. At the age of 89, she walked from Fort Worth, Texas to Washington, D.C., in an effort to gain national recognition for Juneteenth.
Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth (ISBN# 9781400231256)is available for preorder wherever books are sold and releases January 11, 2022.
About the author: Alice Faye Duncan is a National Board-Certified Teacher, who writes for young learners. Memory is her motivation. She writes to help children remember important moments from African American History. Her books are celebrated for vivid imagery and lyrical texts that sound like music. Alice’s most popular titles include A Song for Gwendolyn Brooks; Just Like a Mama; Honey Baby Sugar Child; and Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop, which received a 2019 Coretta Scott King Honor Medal. Alice lives in Memphis, Tennessee, where at a young age, her mother nurtured her writing talent with prayer, poetry books, and praise. Learn more at.
About the illustrator: Keturah A. Bobo is an artist and New York Times bestselling illustrator known for creating vibrant images that are relatable and distinguishable. She is passionate about creating art that inspires, uplifts, and advocates for her community. Keturah has received notable praises for her colorful illustrative style that brings the story to life and resonates with the viewer. She graduated with a BFA from Columbus College of Art and Design and lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her family of entrepreneurs. Learn more at .
About Tommy Nelson® is the children’s division of Thomas Nelson. As a leading provider of Christian content, Tommy Nelson publishes a wide variety of high-quality, enjoyable products that are consistent with the teachings found in the Bible. Tommy Nelson’s award-winning products are designed to expand children’s imaginations and nurture their faith while inspiring them to develop a personal relationship with Jesus. For more information, visit.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
