(1) 4-6 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Alexander and Nelson honor the achievements, courage, and perseverance of ordinary black people as well as prominent black artists, athletes, and activists. Alexander's free-verse poem conveys a sense of pride at what his "unflappable" and "unafraid" predecessors have accomplished and what people continue to do today. Nelson's realistic oil paintings depict racial oppression in the past and present--demonstrating that racism remains deeply entrenched in America today.

Reviewer: Jonda C. McNair | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2019

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Spare, powerful prose presents the American flag and the American landscape and people in parallel: "Sew together one nation / So together one nation." Evocative paintings portray the natural scenery as well as images from history, including civil rights marchers, long rows of pioneers in covered wagons, and men walking on the moon. A refreshingly unsentimental yet hopeful look at America.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Introduction by Jacqueline Woodson. This anniversary edition of the Newbery Medal book and second novel in the Logan family saga contains a new introduction by Jacqueline Woodson, Mildred Taylor's twenty-fifth-anniversary-edition foreword, reproductions of Taylor's family photos on the endpapers, and stunning cover art and an opening color plate by Kadir Nelson.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc. | Horn Book Magazine Issue: December, 1976

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. In superlative oil paintings, Nelson brings to life this famous speech. He begins with Dr. King at the Lincoln Memorial addressing the crowd; literal illustrations of his words (e.g., his "four little children") follow. Visually, this is a stunning accomplishment that embodies the thrilling inspiration of Dr. King's words. The complete text of the speech is appended; accompanying CD included.

Reviewer: Kathleen T. Horning | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2012

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. On the eve of WWII, Joe Louis squares off against formidable German Max Schmeling, a symbol of the Nazi regime. De la Peña's free-verse narrative heightens the historic sporting event's suspense. Nelson's oil paintings vividly capture not only the drama of the fight scenes but also the entire nation waiting with bated breath and quickened pulse for the outcome.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2011

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. This picture book celebrates Kenyan Nobel Peace Prize–winner Wangari Maathai who, by encouraging women to plant trees, also gave them a way to improve their lives. Napoli's text is spare but powerful (e.g., "Kenya was strong once more, strong and peaceful"), and Nelson's collage illustrations have the pleasing beauty of a well-made quilt. Back matter supplies information about Maathai's Green Belt Movement. Websites. Glos.

Reviewer: Chelsey Philpot

(3) 4-6 The inspirational quotations constituting this offering's text are culled from five of Barack Obama's better-known speeches predating his inauguration. The corresponding drawings--loose-handed graphite sketches showing President Obama, his family, and diverse supporters--realize Nelson's stated intent: to remind readers of "the greatness of our country and its ability to grow and change for the better."

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Jackie Robinson's daughter describes her family's Connecticut home, complete with a lake perfect for swimming and ice skating. Through the text we learn that Jackie's courage on the ball field doesn't mean he's fearless: turns out he's scared of the water. Nelson's pencil, watercolor, and oil paintings--both expressive closeups and pastoral, glowing nature scenes--reinforce the story's message about strength and bravery.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Shange's spare, poetic text sketches the life of Coretta Scott King. The story begins with her childhood, when she had to walk five miles each way to school, then moves to her leadership role as partner to Martin Luther King Jr. in life and within the civil rights movement. Nelson's gorgeous oil paintings capture the essence of the woman and her times.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Nelson interprets Staines's lyrics with playfulness and personality, as creatures from honeybee to hippopotamus star in a full-scale theatrical production. The showstopper is a foldout spread featuring the cast in a kick line. Nelson's use of detail and perspective in his pencil, oil, and watercolor illustrations is as effective here as in his more somber work. Music for Staines's catchy tune is included.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. In spare language, Rappaport describes turning points in Lincoln's life, accompanied by excerpts from his speeches. Big events receive eloquent quotes while other aspects (e.g., his constant reading) are punctuated with plainer speech. Some of Nelson's handsome portraits glow with background light and luminous tones; at other times, he portrays an unassuming man. The Gettysburg Address completes the book. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2008

(3) PS Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. A simple rhyming text chronicles an exasperated mother's typical day with her toddler: "It's time to go, / please, baby, / please. / Don't be so slow, / baby baby baby, please." Nelson's slightly caricatured oil illustrations adroitly capture the fine line many toddlers walk between monstrous and adorable. The board book format works well for the audience.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Levine recounts the history of slave Henry "Box" Brown, who is mailed in a wooden box to Philadelphia and freedom. The powerful tale is told through direct, simple language, and a note explains the story's historical basis. The pencil, watercolor, and oil paint illustrations resonate with beauty and sorrow. There is no sugarcoating; however, the conclusion is moving and satisfying.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2007

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Weatherford's poetic telling and Nelson's atmospheric paintings of Tubman's role in the Underground Railroad portray the spiritual life of the African American visionary. From her days as a slave to her life as a free person, three narrative voices (a third-person narrator, Harriet herself, and God's words to Harriet) make clear that it was Tubman's faith that sustained her on the freedom journeys.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2006

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Hewitt's parents are giants and, though they love him, they are worried that their normal-size son will never gain giant stature. Hewitt uses his small size to rescue his parents from a locked room, and they finally accept Hewitt for who he is (and still love him). While big-hearted, the story is less commanding than Nelson's striking illustrations.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(3) 1-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. When ten-year-old Marcus gets to meet his idol, basketball star Jason Carter, on a school field trip, he is surprised when Jason advises him to pursue more than one dream (Marcus is good at math as well as basketball). Though the story is somewhat didactic, Marcus is an appealing character, and the easy format makes it a slam dunk for reluctant readers.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Shange's elegiac poem "Moon Indigo" serves as text for this picture book, which presents the poem from the point of view of a little girl whose family is visited by some of the great African-American men of the mid-twentieth century: Ellington, Du Bois, Robeson. Nelson's cool-toned illustrations are sleek and sophisticated but represent the poem--powerful and sad on its own--on only its most superficial level.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. This fast-paced tall tale depicts the feats of the chocolate-colored heroine, Thunder Rose. Like her male counterparts, Paul Bunyan and John Henry, Rose is born strong and, from the beginning, does big things: heads off a stampede, calms windstorms, and turns a tornado into a gentle rain. Dynamic, oversize illustrations capture the energy of Rose's rollicking adventures.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. In an original tale, the Yao people evade approaching slavers, thanks to three female heroes. Mother Njemile proposes they hide in the forest; Grandmother Chimwala stands fast, posing as a hermit; while young Abikanile leads the tribe across the river. The illustrations reflect the story's gravity, and a ground-level point of view enhances the characters' dignity. This is a valuable and unusual addition to the literature about slavery.

Reviewer: Joanna Rudge Long | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2002

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. These poems capture the joy of the season: opening the cardboard box of ornaments, decorating the tree, listening to "Silent Night" played by a street musician, making snow angels in new snow, and finally, "Gather[ing] the pine needles / In a brittle pile / And sweep[ing] Christmas / Out the door." This celebration of the holiday is brought to life with Nelson's warmly lit illustrations.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith