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Bold words from black women : inspiration and truths from 50 extraordinary black women who helped shape our world
2021
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A collection of inspirational quotes by 50 activists, artists and leaders celebrates the power of Black womanhood and includes the words of such boundary-breaking individuals as Beyoncé Knowles, Serena Williams and Angela Davis. 60,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations. - (Baker & Taylor)

"This beautifully illustrated book is a collection of quotes from 50 inspirational Black women who have shaped the world we live in, from Toni Morrison to Angela Davis, from Solange and Beyonce Knowles to Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex"-- - (Baker & Taylor)

Celebrate the power of Black womanhood in this first-of-its-kind collection of inspirational quotes from fifty activists, artists, and leaders, featuring bold, attention-grabbing illustrations—perfect for readers of Herstory and Little Leaders.

This incredible volume honors fifty modern women, presented with their own words, who have dared to raise their voices and persevere through hardship and injustice to become revolutionaries and dreamers, artists and creators.

Featuring women like musical powerhouse Beyoncé Knowles; tennis star Serena Williams; Meghan, Duchess of Sussex; and activist Angela Davis, this stylish book is perfect for any reader who is seeking grace, courage, strength, and self-love. - (Simon and Schuster)

Author Biography

Dr. Tamara Pizzoli is an African American writer, publisher, and producer who was born and raised in Texas and now resides in Rome, Italy, with her four children. She pens and publishes stories through her independent publishing house, The English Schoolhouse. Visit her at TheEnglishSchoolhouse.com.

Monica Ahanonu is a freelance illustrator working and living in Los Angeles. She has worked with companies such as The New York Times, InStyle, Adidas, Sprite, Salvatore Ferragamo, DreamWorks Animation and more. Afropunk.com describes Monica’s style as “expressive portraits that bring an extra dimension to each subject.” You can follow her work on Instagram at @MonicaAhanonu. - (Simon and Schuster)

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Booklist Reviews

This attractive picture book collects quotes from 50 prominent Black women. Many of the featured luminaries can be found trending on social media (athletes, rap artists, influencers) while others were active in the twentieth century (e.g., Katherine Johnson, Zora Neale Hurston, Josephine Baker). Each individual is featured in a two-page spread that includes the quote, a brief paragraph that introduces the speaker and sets her statement into historical and social context, and a glorious, full-color, close-up, digital illustration. The quotes are uniformly reassuring and inspirational, and several speak directly about self-acceptance and finding one's way. Entries tend to be brief one-liners (Queens should always have armor, Ruth E. Carter, Academy-Award winning costume designer; Never be limited by other people's imaginations, astronaut Mae Jemison) and many address current issues (I realize that my mere existence is a form of activism, especially in the body-positive community, singer-rapper Lizzo). There are no notes or citations, but the selections are powerful, pithy, and wise. Be sure to leave this out where browsers can readily access its affirmative messages. Grades 4-8. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

An exciting and creatively illustrated compilation of noteworthy quotes attributed to 50 Black women across time. Powerful and unforgettable words spoken by politicians, actresses, musicians, athletes, activists, writers, supermodels, businesswomen, philanthropists, dancers, one astronaut, one first lady, and one U.S. vice president grace the pages. Some entries capture the characteristics for which the subject is best known, such as anthropologist and writer Zora Neale Hurston's memorable and poetic assertion of her elemental optimism: "No, I do not weep at the world—I'm too busy sharpening my oyster knife." Others capture the speaker's sense of humor, as in high priestess of neo-soul Erykah Badu's admission that "I'm pretty mutable as a human being, period—if you put me on Pluto, I can figure it out." Still others emphasize the vital importance of Black women's radical self-care; Audre Lorde notes: "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare." Each quote appears next to a bold portrait illustration of its utterer. Ahanonu's artwork, executed digitally, draws from pop-art aesthetics with eye-catching color blocking and fragmented shapes used to embellish and visually unify the entries. The text on each page includes a brief biographical note and a few lines of text elucidating the quote. Honest, inspirational, and unapologetic declarations of the trials and triumphs of Black womanhood. (Nonfiction. 10-adult) Copyright Kirkus 2021 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

Library Journal Reviews

Pizzoli (K Is for Kahlo: An Alphabet Book of Notable Artists from Around the World) collects quotes from Black women that encourage self-love, ambition, kindness, and confidence. Many of the women are entertainers (Beyoncé; Lupita Nyong'o), but the book also includes scientists (Mae Jemison; Katherine Johnson), political leaders (Kamala Harris; Michelle Obama), and writers (Audre Lorde; Alice Walker). Each quote is accompanied by a note on its speaker's work, cultural contributions, and particular areas of expertise. Ahanonu's bold portraits enliven each entry, conveying expressive faces and postures in vibrant blocks of color. VERDICT Though intended for a middle grade audience, this one will be equally inspiring for adults seeking quote books.

Copyright 2022 Library Journal.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 3 Up—This lush, colorful compendium features quotes from 50 Black women of all ages, backgrounds, and accomplishments, making for an uplifting read. Noteworthy women, including former First Lady Michelle Obama, Academy Award-winner Viola Davis, and Hollywood legend Lena Horne, share wisdom that centers on themes of self-love and self-worth. Each subject is rendered in a stunning illustration, which captures her warmth and spirit, and a brief explanation of the context of the quote. The artwork sings with bright colors and kinetic shapes. Each woman is drawn in a way that is recognizable, but the portraits remain stylized. Although some context is given for the time and place of the featured quote, this is not a biographical anthology. In-depth information will have to be found elsewhere. Still, as a piece of pure inspiration, this is a lovely work of art. VERDICT A vibrant collection of inspirational quotes. Recommended for all libraries.—Savannah Kitchens, Parnell Memorial Lib., Montevallo, AL

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal.

Table of Contents

Introduction vii
Solange Knowles
2(2)
Beyonce Knowles-Carter
4(2)
Missy Elliott
6(2)
Serena Williams
8(2)
Janelle Monae
10(2)
Katherine Johnson
12(2)
Michelle Obama
14(2)
Angela Davis
16(2)
Yara Shahidi
18(2)
Lupita Nyong'o
20(2)
Robin Roberts
22(2)
Lizzo
24(2)
Stacey Abrams
26(2)
Debbie Allen
28(2)
Oprah Winfrey
30(2)
Meghan Markle
32(2)
Susan L. Taylor
34(2)
Ruth E. Carter
36(2)
Erykah Badu
38(2)
Diahann Carroll
40(2)
Zora Neale Hurston
42(2)
Audre Lorde
44(2)
Lena Horne
46(2)
Josephine Baker
48(2)
Taraji P. Henson
50(2)
Chaka Khan
52(2)
Diana Ross
54(2)
Maya Angelou
56(2)
Sonia Sanchez
58(2)
Dee Dee Bridgewater
60(2)
Alice Walker
62(2)
Eartha Kitt
64(2)
Amandla Stenberg
66(2)
Toni Morrison
68(2)
Jada Pinkett Smith
70(2)
Whoopi Goldberg
72(2)
Jenifer Lewis
74(2)
Issa Rae
76(2)
Queen Latifah
78(2)
Maxine Waters
80(2)
Kerry Washington
82(2)
Shonda Rhimes
84(2)
Dr. Mae Jemison
86(2)
Naomi Campbell
88(2)
Mahalia Jackson
90(2)
Ava DuVernay
92(2)
Misty Copeland
94(2)
Raynell "Supa Cent" Steward
96(2)
Viola Davis
98(2)
Kamala Harris
100

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