froggylibrarian1's review
4.0
It was 1956. Jackie Robinson has retired from baseball, his family lives on a farm in Connecticut with a pond, and he spends a lot of time with his family and their friends. He tells them stories of his years in baseball and the opposition he faced. In the winter, his children and their friends want to go ice skating so he takes them out to the lake. But before he will let them go out he tests the ice even though he can’t swim. His daughter, Sharon, is amazed at just how brave he was.
The author, Sharon, then goes on to compare the testing of the ice to Jackie’s Robinson’s breaking the ice (the color barrier) in baseball. She also gives some background information about the time period.
On the surface this seems like a very simple story but it is actually quite deep. I enjoyed the story and the message. I found Sharon Robinson’s use of time a little confusing and readers would probably need some scaffolding with a timeline in order to understand the order of events. Kadir Nelson’s pictures are beautiful.
The author, Sharon, then goes on to compare the testing of the ice to Jackie’s Robinson’s breaking the ice (the color barrier) in baseball. She also gives some background information about the time period.
On the surface this seems like a very simple story but it is actually quite deep. I enjoyed the story and the message. I found Sharon Robinson’s use of time a little confusing and readers would probably need some scaffolding with a timeline in order to understand the order of events. Kadir Nelson’s pictures are beautiful.
antlersantlers's review
4.0
Really lovely intermediate-level book written by Sharon Robinson about her father Jackie. The strength of this book is that it's a pretty small story. It touches on her father's entrance into major league baseball, but mostly it's just about him being her dad. When she was little I think she knew that he was important, but mostly he was just her dad. The story takes place primarily around 1955 when the family relocated to an idyllic house in Connecticut. Her dad loves the woods, but always stays out of the water no matter how much they beg. When the lake freezes, they need him to go out and test the ice (anyone who has been around a frozen lake will know how much weird, scary noise it makes!). Ms. Robinson explores the different types of bravery her dad showed her. I like books like this that show a smaller side of a famous person. Often groundbreaking figures get turned into mythic figures, but human stories like this show the individual and intersectional nature of a person's character.
I think this is a lovely book for individual reading, but I also think a teacher could use it as a longer read-aloud for a class. I hate to say that this would be perfect for African American History Month, because it would basically be a good read during any winter month. That said, I am definitely going to put it on display during February so I can hopefully get some more eyes on it.
And of course Kadir Nelson's illustrations throughout are stunning. No surprise given that he is the most talented illustrator on earth!
I think this is a lovely book for individual reading, but I also think a teacher could use it as a longer read-aloud for a class. I hate to say that this would be perfect for African American History Month, because it would basically be a good read during any winter month. That said, I am definitely going to put it on display during February so I can hopefully get some more eyes on it.
And of course Kadir Nelson's illustrations throughout are stunning. No surprise given that he is the most talented illustrator on earth!
greenbeanteenqueen's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this book! Sharon Robinson's writing style is beautiful. She never talks down to the reader. She's written a book that has a message without it ever feeling too preachy. Instead, it comes across as her telling a childhood tale. The image of Jackie Robinson stepping out onto the frozen ice, even though he's afraid because he can't swim is also a great metaphor for him stepping into the world of baseball and breaking the color barrier. But this metaphor is worked so well into the story that it never comes off as a lesson.
The artwork is amazing, of course, since the book is illustrated by Kadir Nelson (aka my children's literature boyfriend). His artwork always amazes me! Each page looks so lifelike and it's obvious he takes great care with his subjects. He used Robinson family photos to help create the illustrations in this book, which I think adds to the lifelike feel.
One of my favorite Show-Me Readers Award Nominees I've read!
The artwork is amazing, of course, since the book is illustrated by Kadir Nelson (aka my children's literature boyfriend). His artwork always amazes me! Each page looks so lifelike and it's obvious he takes great care with his subjects. He used Robinson family photos to help create the illustrations in this book, which I think adds to the lifelike feel.
One of my favorite Show-Me Readers Award Nominees I've read!
mmattmiller's review
5.0
Great Jackie Robinson story/text with a wonderful message. I think the true beauty in this one however, is in the illustrations. WOW! GORGEOUS illustrations! (And like I said, great message/story as well!)
libscote's review
4.0
Chickadee Nominee 2010-2011
Now, I love Kadir Nelson's work anyway, so I probably would have picked up this book once I noticed who the illustrator was. I enjoyed this story about Jackie Robinson, as told by one of his children. It was a different way of looking at the life of a great person.
Now, I love Kadir Nelson's work anyway, so I probably would have picked up this book once I noticed who the illustrator was. I enjoyed this story about Jackie Robinson, as told by one of his children. It was a different way of looking at the life of a great person.
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