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“A joyous photo of the author with outstretched arms on the cover invites readers to join him on a walk through his life, present and past. Alternating between a guided tour of Maine’s Little Cranberry Island, where he lives, and his reminiscences…In elementary school he was introduced to poetry as performance art: “It is at the heart of all my work.” The cozily familiar approach will be appreciated by those who have heard the master storyteller and those familiar with his books. When he concludes, “I’ve enjoyed walking the island with you,” readers will believe him.”

—Kirkus Reviews

Ashley Bryan: Words to My Life’s Song

Written by Ashley Bryan
Illustrated by Ashley Bryan
Published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Ashley’s autobiography is full of art, photographs, and the poignant never-say-never tale of his rich life, a life that has always included drawing and painting. Even as a boy growing up during the Depression, he painted — finding cast off objects to turn into books and kites and toy and art. Even as a solder in the segregated Army on the beaches of Normandy, he sketched — keeping charcoal crayons and paper in his gasmask to draw with during lulls. Even as a talented, visionary art student who was accepted and then turned away from college upon arrival, the school telling Ashley that to give a scholarship to an African American student would be a waste, he painted — continuing to create art when he could have been discouraged, continuing to polish his talents when his spirit should have been beaten. Ashley went on to become a Hans Christian Anderson Award nominee, a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, and a multiple Coretta Scott King award winner. As you might imagine, his story is powerful, bursting with his creative energy, and a testament to believing in oneself. It’s a book every child in America should have access to and it does what the very best autobiographies do; it inspires!

Primary ISBN: 9781416905417
Publication Date: January 2009
Available As: Hardcover
Picture Book, Age 04 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (New York, Maine), Germany

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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