Bibliography
Nelson, K., & Allen, D. (2019). Heart and soul: The story of America and African Americans. Findaway World, LLC. ISBN 0061730793
Plot Summary
In Heart and Soul, Kadir Nelson writes about the history of America through the eyes of African Americans, a people group often ignored in history. Their contributions to society, trials, and triumphs are told about and beautifully illustrated in this children’s book.
Critical Analysis
In Heart and Soul: The story of America and African Americans, Kadir Nelson writes this non fiction account of American history through the eyes of a sage woman. The dialect and context suggests that the narrator is an older, African American woman who says things such as “chile, what is the world could they ever know about that” and “they didn’t pay him any mind”. This narrator is passing down the story of African Americans’ history in a way that sounds like it is an oral retelling.
The illustrations are beautiful, richly colored depictions that include both full page spreads on almost every single page and a few two page spreads. The illustrations show a variety of depictions of African Americans throughout history with diverse hair, skin tones, ages, occupations, and expressions. Spending time soaking in the illustrations and being moved by the experiences depicted is worthwhile all on its own.
The content is educational and includes moments where the narrator defines terms that readers may not be familiar with such as “abolitionist”. The book's contents also include an index, a timeline, and a bibliography, so readers can access the information in the book better, and trust that it is factual information. This book is enjoyable to read as well as informative and is a great addition to a young readers’ collection, but adults can certainly learn from it too!
Review Excerpts and Awards
2012 Coretta Scott King Author Award
2021 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
From Kirkus Reviews: “In an undertaking even more ambitious than the multiple-award-winning We Are the Ship (2008), Nelson tells the story of African-Americans and their often central place in American history...The narrator guides readers through major events in American history through the perspective of, first, enslaved people, then those legally free but hindered by discrimination and, finally, citizens able to fully participate in American life following the Civil Rights Movement. As with any work by this talented artist, the accompanying illustrations are bold and arresting. The dramatic oil paintings heighten the dignity of this story, whether they are of well-known historical figures, common folk or landscape. With such a long time period to cover, the careful choices Nelson makes of which stories to tell make this a successful effort.”
Connections
Use this a discussion guide on page 7 https://www.ala.org/rt/sites/ala.org.rt/files/content/cskbookawards/CSK%20Discussion%20Guide%202012%20FINAL.pdf
Heart and Soul is written like an oral history. Have students interview a family member and write down the oral history of their family. Idea from https://www.theclassroombookshelf.com/2012/02/2012-coretta-scott-king-award-for-writing-honor-book-for-illustration-heart-and-soul/
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