Friday, February 5, 2021

Review: Curls by Ruth Forman

I'm really excited about today's book. It's one I picked up for Black History Month and is such a sweet, little read. But it's the amazing energy and message of confidence, which really won me over on this one.  It's small, for the youngest readers, and simply leaves a huge smile on the face.


CURLS
by Ruth Forman
Illustrated by Geneva Bowers
Little Simon
Board Book
26 pages
ages 2 to 6







A joyfully poetic board book that delivers an ode to African American girls and the beauty of their curls.

Me
Morning


Mirror Smile

Shine big
hair love


This simple, playful, and beautiful board book stars four friends who celebrate the joy of their hairstyles from bouncing curls to swinging braids.


BOOK DEPOSITORY     /       GOODREADS       /       AMAZON

B&N       /        KOBO


BOOK BLINK

                                       * celebration of hair and curls
                                            * very uplifting and cheerful
                                            * beautiful illustrations
                                            * builds self-confidence






MY TIDBITS

Energy and positivity radiate from every page in this delightful little book, which shows how amazing curls can be.

This is one for young girls, especially those who are blessed with a head full of lovely curls, but even those without will easily fall into the excitement which beams on every page. It starts out simple enough, a young girl waking up refreshed and to sunshine—and that sets the high-spirited mood. From there, she teams up with her friends, bouncing with energy and happiness as they hit the world together with self-confidence and glee.

The book itself is one for the youngest end of the reading spectrum as its a board book and created for a little more tussle and tumble. The text is kept very simple and gives a poetic atmosphere by using only a few words to bring across the feelings and expressions. The illustrations carry the rest, which is exactly what this age group needs. Friendship, family, and the simple joy life holds comes across with clarity...even when a single word hasn't been read.

The message in this one is very clear, and it's an uplifting and confident one. The girl's have curls, and each one sports it in their own, personal way. They love their hair, who they are, and that is wonderful message indeed. 





And here they are...

The Author....

Ruth Forman is the author of three award-winning books: poetry collections We Are the Young Magicians (Beacon, 1993) and Renaissance (Beacon, 1997) and children’s book, Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon (Children’s Book Press, 2007). She is the recipient of the Barnard New Women Poets Prize, The Pen Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award, The Durfee Artist Fellowship, a DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Artist Fellowship, the National Council of Teachers of English Notable Book Award, and recognition by The American Library Association. She has presented in forums such as the United Nations, the PBS series The United States of Poetry and National Public Radio. Ruth is a former teacher of creative writing with the University of Southern California and June Jordan’s Poetry for the People program at UC Berkeley and a thirteen-year faculty member with the VONA-Voices writing program.


The Illustrator...


Geneva Bowers
 is a self-taught illustrator based in western North Carolina. She’s illustrated children’s books The Dragon ThiefBeyoncĂ©: Shine Your Light, and Curls, among others. Geneva’s work has won the 2018 Hugo Award for Best Fan Artist and a 2018 BSFA Award nomination. She loves manipulating color and adding whimsy with a touch of realism and calm. Visit her online at GenevaB.com.


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