How often do we get to speak to someone who not only witnessed an important part of our history as Americans but also was super influential in the progress of that historical period too? John Lewis has been fighting the good fight for civil rights for so long, and he remains an active figure in providing human rights for all. Not only is he a successful congressman and civil rights hero, he can now add successful author to his list of accomplishments!
I love finding adult books that I can pair with kid's books because it means that when my kids have a million questions about their book's subject, I stand a better chance of knowing what the answers are. Also, I find that we have better conversations if we are both engaged in the book. For kids, we have a picture book about John Lewis's childhood in Alabama, Preaching to the Chickens by Jabari Asim and E.B. Lewis. For adults and older kids too (maybe junior high and up), the comic book series MARCH written by John Lewis partnered with author Andrew Aydin and artist Nate Powell. Let's dive in!
John Lewis grew up on a rural Alabama farm in a large family. His parents were sharecroppers, and already at a young age, he faced everything that came with life as a black person in the Jim Crow South. Preaching to the Chickens doesn't address any of the racism Lewis' family must have faced, instead, this book focuses on a positive aspect of his young life - his love of going to church and listening to his preacher. As a kid, John Lewis loved to pretend he was a preacher of a barnyard church. When he went out to feed the chickens, he would practice delivering sermons. When new chicks hatched, he would go out and "baptize" them in a cup of water. He did this so often that his family started calling him "preacher". This is a really sweet story that is historically accurate but still remains entertaining for younger kids. That doesn't always happen in historical picture books. I love the pictures too. They are beautiful watercolor paintings. recommended age: 5 and up
About John Lewis, Bill Clinton said,
"Congressman John Lewis has been a resounding moral voice in the quest for equality for more than fifty years, and I'm so pleased that he is sharing his memories of the Civil Rights Movement with America's young leaders. In March, he brings a whole new generation with him."
Comic books have been having a moment for a while now with no slowing down. Whether you call them "comic books" or "graphic novels", they are such a great choice for older kids and anyone that feels like they "don't like to read". The grid form and pictures make the reading go super fast, and I feel like you still get good reading in at the same time. Even people who consider themselves avid readers can love comic books. The format brings a new way of interacting with the story. Most of us know a good bit about the Civil Rights Movement, but reading MARCH brings a whole new way to experience history. It makes it way more real to see it as well as read it. Something about comic books makes the material more emotional. Definitely check out MARCH!