Picture Book: Friends for Freedom by Suzanne Slade, Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell

Friends for Freedom by Suzanne Slade, Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell

(For those of you budding artists out there: last week on the blog, the illustrator shared some of her early sketches for this book, so be sure to check out that post.)

Friends for Freedom is non-fiction picture book about the little known friendship between Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass. The text is simple and clear, with issues like human rights and slavery explained in accessible, but still engaging language. Soft, inviting watercolor illustrations elegantly capture fiery expressions as these two civil rights leaders passionately discuss their respective causes. (And side note–I just really love Tadgell’s illustrations of Douglass’s kids. They are so sweet and exude innocence and personality.)

The recommended age group for this book is 6-9 according to the publisher’s website, and that feels about right.  As a grown up reader (and writer), I especially appreciated the author and illustrator notes at the back explaining the research that went into this, and some may find the bibliography useful as well.

Disclaimer: This review is based on a free copy I received from the illustrator.

#picturebookreview #friendsforfreedom #nonfictionpicturebook #NicoleTadgell #SuzanneSlade

Guest Post: Nicole Tadgell, Illustrator of FRIENDS FOR FREEDOM

Friends for Freedom: The Story of Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass

by Suzanne Slade, Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell

This week on the blog, I am excited to have my very first illustrator guest post from the award-winning and prolific illustrator Nicole Tadgell. Her latest book is Friends for Freedom,  a non-fiction picture book which centers on the friendship between civil rights activists Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass (my review to be posted soon).

As part of the guest post, Nicole sent me a few early sketches as well as some of her final artwork. Enjoy!

Illustrating famous historical figures for children’s books is a big project! Fortunately, I enjoy the research, I love pretending I’m in different times. Sometimes I worry that kids might not find the lives of famous historical figures to be interesting, but I am constantly reassured when I visit schools, libraries and book fairs and see kids looking at and reading my books with great interest.

The artwork for Friends for Freedom is done in watercolor, with gold and purple as key colors. I love the way those colors go together. I found a photo in my research that showed Miss Anthony in a plaid dress with purple and brown colors, which she described in detail in a letter to her mother.

Friendship is a universal bond, and kids today can certainly appreciate the value of friendship. This book gives readers more insight into the lives of Frederick Dougalss and Susan B. Anthony, making them more relatable just because of their friendship.

Suzanne Slade’s research uncovered a major fight between the two, which was recorded because it was a live debate reported in newspapers at the time. All friendships go through rough spots – most not as public as this argument. Yet like all true friendships, they did not let their disagreement overcome their bond.

On a personal note, I have been lucky enough to also have a lifelong friend. Lara and I met in first grade (see Communion photo below). We’ve been like sisters for many years, yet lost close touch for the last 10. Working on the art for Friends for Freedom really made me want to reconnect with my lifelong friend. Just this past weekend we saw each other in person, and it’s like no time has passed at all!

Thanks for sharing all these wonderful images, Nicole! 

About the Illustrator:

Suzanne Slade (left) and Nicole Tadgell (right)

Nicole Tadgell is the award-winning illustrator of In the Garden with Dr. Carver and First Peas to the Table. She enjoys bringing life to historical books with her loose pencil and watercolor illustrations.

Website: http://www.nicoletadgell.blogspot.com

Blog: http://www.nicoletadgell.tumblr.com

Twitter: @nicoletadgell

#illustrator #picturebook #guestpost #SusanBAnthony #FrederickDouglass #friendsforfreedom #nonfictionpicturebook #NicoleTadgell #SuzanneSlade

3 Questions for Donna Gephart, Sydney Taylor Honor Winner for DEATH BY TOILET PAPER

Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart

This week on the blog, I am honored to take part in the 2015 Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour. As part of this blog tour, I had the opportunity to interview Donna Gephart, Sydney Taylor Silver Medal winner in the Older Readers category for her novel, Death by Toilet Paper.

(BTW–I LOVE this cover! The author also emailed me the super cute cover for the German version of her book, and I included it below. Adorable, right?)

More about the Sydney Taylor Book Award from the Association of Jewish Libraries website: “The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries since 1968, the award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature. Gold medals are presented in three categories: Younger Readers, Older Readers, and Teen Readers. Honor Books are awarded silver medals, and Notable Books are named in each category.”

Here are my 3 questions for Donna Gephart:

1) In the book, your main character, Benjamin Epstein, enters a contest to come up with a slogan for his favorite brand of toilet paper.  Why toilet paper?

Donna Gephart: In this book, and sometimes in life, toilet paper represents money or a lack there of.  For example, Benjamin Epstein knew things were getting tough financially when his mom had to switch to the cheap, scratchy, recycled toilet paper, so unlike the “good” toilet paper they used to be able to afford.  Toilet paper has other, ahem, creative uses in the book, too, like being the material used for a zombie’s bridal gown.  Look, when a book starts out with a kid’s letter to a toilet paper company, you know it’s going to be a little, um, unusual . . . in a fun way.

2) Are you Jewish? If so, was there ever a time in your life when you wished you weren’t Jewish? If you are not Jewish, was there ever a time in your life where you wished you were?

DG: I am Jewish.  I grew up just like Benjamin did in the book.  And I never had experiences which made me wish I weren’t Jewish, unlike my parents.  When my mom was a kid, other kids threw stones at her after school and called her, “Dirty Jew.”  And when my parents were on their honeymoon, they found discrimination when trying to book a hotel room.  I’m glad, though, that my mom worked at a Jewish library when I was a kid because she brought home a lot of books about the Holocaust, and I learned early about prejudice and man’s inhumanity to man and the power and importance of kindness and empathy to counteract such insidious beliefs.

3) Your bio on Amazon says that you entered every contest you could find as a kid. What was the weirdest contest you ever entered?

DG: On a MUCH lighter note, since we grew up without much money, my sister, Ellen, and I sought out contests and sweepstakes to enter.  She won things like concert tickets, and I won a trip to Great Adventure Amusement Park when I was a kid, but the oddest thing I won was a check for $1.98 from a Gong-Show type contest on the radio.  I played the theme song from “All in the Family” on my toy organ and during the performance, the phone fell and crashed onto the keys, making a horrible bellowing sound — hence the silly amount of the check.  Since then, I’ve won a couple amazing trips through skilled contest entries.  But my sister, Ellen, to whom Death by Toilet Paper is dedicated, is the Queen of Contests and the Sultan of Sweepstakes.  Her most recent win?  A new car from The Price is Right game show.  Yeah, she’s amazing like that, my sister.

Donna Gephart’s new novel, Death by Toilet Paper, combines humor, heartbreak and more toilet paper facts than you can shake a plunger at.  Her other titles include:  Olivia Bean, Trivia Queen, How to Survive Middle School and As If Being 12-3/4 Isn’t Bad Enough, My Mother Is Running for President!, which won the Sid Fleischman Humor Award.  She lives in Florida with her family and speaks at schools, book festivals and libraries across the country.  For free reading/activity guides, writing resources and more, visit www.donnagephart.com.

#authorinterview #middlegrade #SydneyTaylorAwardwinner #sidfleischmanhumoraward #QampA