Special Collections
Floyd Cooper Day
Description: May 6 is Floyd Cooper Day! Floyd Cooper, a celebrated children’s book illustrator who explored the African American experience in stories rooted in history.
- Table View
- List View
Miz Berlin Walks
by Jane Yolen and Floyd CooperEvery evening, old as she is, Miz Berlin walks down the long block, past Mary Louise's house, talking to herself. One day Mary Louise catches up to Miz Berlin and walks with her. She is spellbound by the stories the old woman tells: block-long stories and two-day stories about how she caught crawdaddies the day the sky rained feathers, or about the day the flood rose right to her front door. Now every evening, Mary Louise walks with Miz Berlin, then runs on home, stuffed full of her own stories to tell.
Coming Home
by Floyd CooperYoung Langston Hughes was a dreamer. He dreamed about heroes like Booker T. Washington, who was black just like him. When he heard the clackety-clack of train wheels, he dreamed about the places it had been.
But most of all, he dreamed about having a happy home. And so, one day, he began turning those dreams into beautiful prose. As he did, he discovered where his home really was—in the words and rhythms of his poetry that reached people all over the world.
The beloved Langston Hughes comes to life in a book for poets, dreamers, children and adults; anyone who has ever thought of what home means to them.
The Most Precious Gift
by Marty Crisp and Floyd CooperWhile traveling to Bethlehem with his beloved dog, a young servant to one of the Magi worries about finding a gift to give the baby Jesus. Even though he fears he has nothing of value to give, in giving all he has, his gift surpasses all. Picture descriptions added.
Meet Danitra Brown
by Nikki GrimesZuri Jackson wants readers to meet her friend, Danitra Brown, the "most splendiferous girl in town." In 13 spirited rhymes, Zuri narrates an unforgettable portrait of the many ways in which friends bring out the best in each other.
Back Of The Bus
by Aaron Reynolds and Floyd CooperIt seems like any other winter day in Montgomery, Alabama. Mama and child are riding where they're supposed to -- way in the back of the bus. The boy passes the time by watching his marble roll up and down the aisle with the motion of the bus, until from way up front a big commotion breaks out. He can't see what's going on, but he can see the policeman arrive outside and he can see Mama's chin grow strong. "There you go, Rosa Parks," she says, "stirrin' up a nest of hornets. Tomorrow all this'll be forgot." But they both know differently.
With childlike words and powerful illustrations, Aaron Reynolds and Coretta Scott King medalist Floyd Cooper recount Rosa Parks' act of defiance through the eyes of a child who will never forget.
Becoming Billie Holiday
by Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd CooperBefore the legend of Billie Holiday, there was a girl named Eleanora. In 1915, Sadie Fagan gave birth to a daughter she named Eleanora. The world, however, would know her as Billie Holiday, possibly the greatest jazz singer of all time.
Eleanora's journey into legend took her through pain, poverty, and run-ins with the law. By the time she was fifteen, she knew she possessed something that could possibly change her life--a voice. Eleanora could sing.
Her remarkable voice led her to a place in the spotlight with some of the era's hottest big bands. Billie Holiday sang as if she had lived each lyric, and in many ways she had.
Through a sequence of raw and poignant poems, award-winning poet Carole Boston Weatherford chronicles Eleanora Fagan's metamorphosis into Billie Holiday. The author examines the singer's young life, her fight for survival, and the dream she pursued with passion in this Coretta Scott King Author Honor winner. With stunning art by Floyd Cooper, this book provides a revealing look at a cultural icon.
Brick By Brick
by Charles R. Smith and Floyd CooperThe compelling true story behind the building of the White House, a powerful part of history rarely taught. From Coretta Scott King Award winners Charles R. Smith Jr. and Floyd Cooper.
The home of the United States president was built by many hands, including those of slaves, who undertook this amazing achievement long before there were machines to do those same jobs.
Stirring and emotional, Floyd Cooper's stunning illustrations bring to life the faces of those who endured hard, brutal work when the profit of their labor was paid to the master, not the slave. The fact that many were able to purchase their freedom after earning money from learning a trade speaks to the strength of those individuals. They created this iconic emblem of America, brick by brick.
Includes an insightful author's note and a list of selected resources.
Juneteenth for Mazie
by Floyd CooperMazie is ready to celebrate liberty. She is ready to celebrate freedom. She is ready to celebrate a great day in American history — the day her ancestors were no longer slaves. Mazie remembers the struggles and the triumph, as she gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth.
This beautiful story by award-winning author and illustrator Floyd Cooper will captivate both children and adults.
Taneesha Never Disparaging
by Floyd Cooper and M. Lavora PerryFifth grade isn't exactly easy for eleven-year-old Taneesha Bey-Ross. For one thing, she's getting tired of being her best friend Carli Flanagan's personal bodyguard. Carli wears a leg brace and she's white, and when Taneesha does stand up for Carli in the face of a local bully--a giant of a girl with big fists and army boots--she's told to expect revenge.
Taneesha's also running a loser's race for class president, and her love-hate interest Rayshaun has learned that Taneesha is a Buddhist, so now he's taunting her, saying that she's going to hell. Her mom may have told her that Taneesha's got heaven in her heart, but it doesn't feel that way. And just in case she forgets it, there's always Evella, Taneesha's evil imaginary twin, to remind her that she's a total failure.
This beautifully written, fun, and instantly engaging novel presents vivid characters and a timely story about the big issues that every child faces.
Talking with Artists
by Pat CummingsDistinguished picture book artists talk about their early art experiences, answer questions most frequently asked by children, and offer encouragement to aspiring artists.