Coquette Maman

I am Justice Blog Tour: I am Rosa Parks + Fun Facts for Kids

I am Rosa Parks (Ordinary People Change the World Series)
By Brad Meltzer, Illustrated by Christoper Eliopoulos
Published by: Dial Books
ISBN-10: 0803740859
40 pages, Hardcover
Ages: 5-8 years old
$10.43 on Amazon

Today I am a part of the I am Justice Blog Tour and so happy to be presenting this week's book I am Rosa Parks by Brad Meltzer, illustrated by Christoper Eliopoulos. As you know, this is one of my favorite book series because it covers famous people in history from when they were a child, giving kids inspiration on how they too can easily change the world and become heroes.

During the segregation times in the south, the Jim Crow laws were in effect that essentially separated blacks from whites and enforced racial segregation. African Americans had separate schools, libraries, churches, restaurants, bathrooms, drinking fountains and waiting rooms.

Here are some fun facts for kids about Rosa Parks:

• Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was born in 1903 in Tuskegee, Alabama. She died at 92 on October 24, 2005 in Detroit, Michigan.
• On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat for a white man on a crowded bus in Montgomery, Alabama. She believed that the law was wrong and stood up for her rights. She was arrested and refused to pay the fine. African Americans of Montgomery came together and protested by boycotting city busses.
• African Americans made up 70% of bus users which made the city's transportation services struggle. After 381 days of boycotting the busses, the Supreme Court ruled that Alabama's racial segregation was unconstitutional. From then on Rosa Parks became known as the first lady of the civil rights movement.
• Books: Rosa wrote 4 books: Rosa Parks: My Story, Quiet Strength, Dear Mrs Parks: A Dialogue with Today's Youth and I Am Rosa Parks.
• Awards: Rosa Parks received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton. She also received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award granted by Congress. She has also been awarded two dozen honorary doctorates from universities world wide.

Follow the other bloggers on the I am Rosa Parks week of the I am Justice Blog Tour:

WEEK THREE: I am Rosa Parks
November 5 – Simple at Home – Learning Activity
November 6 – Within the Pages – Fun Facts
November 7 – Coquette Maman – Fun Facts
November 8 – Lovely Little Reads – Fun Facts

Review book provided by Penguin Kids

Book Review: What Can a Citizen Do? By Dave Eggers

What Can a Citizen Do?
By Dave Eggers, Illustrated by Shawn Harris
Published by: Chronicle Books
ISBN-10: 1452173133
40 pages, Hardcover
Age: 4-8 years old
$13.57 on Amazon

Today is Election Day around the United States and I thought it was poignant to review one of my favorite books to debut this fall, What Can a Citizen Do? By Dave Eggers, illustrated by Shawn Harris. Eggers and Harris are the same creative team that brought us Her Right Foot , about how the Statue of Liberty came to be and what her deeper meaning is for freedom. Eggers brings civic engagement in an easy to understand manner for young kids. Eggers teachers kids that indeed they are citizens and that they can make the world a better place by helping others and by working together.

Along with Harris' amazing and intricate paper cutout art, the diverse group of kids featured in the book work together on their treehouse, creating rules and working together to build a better "world" for themselves. A treehouse world that later translates to what any kid can do in their own home, city, and country.

This is such a beautiful book and a great way to explain to kids the basics of civics. Pair this book up with Her Right Foot and it's a perfect stocking stuffer or holiday gift!

Here's a peek inside more pages of What Can a Citizen Do?:

Pick up What Can a Citizen Do? on Amazon.com.

Review book provided by Chronicle Books