Coloring Pages for Friends for Freedom!

Coloring Pages are ready! Teachers & parents, feel free to download & print for the kids.

School Library Journal reviews With Books and Bricks!

Always nice to read a review from School Library Journal!

Slade, Suzanne. With Books and Bricks: How Booker T. Washington Built a School. illus. by Nicole Tadgell. 32p. bibliog. notes. Albert Whitman. 2014. Tr $16.99. ISBN 9780807508978. 

K-Gr 2–Booker T. Washington is a well-known historical figure, but the story of how he built the Tuskegee Institute by hand is not quite as common. This picture book brings the tale to light accessibly and engagingly. Young readers are sure to marvel at the accomplishments of Washington and his perseverance in spite of obstacles. The story is told simply, with beautiful watercolor and pencil illustrations. An endnote goes into more detail about Washington’s life and struggle to bring education to all. While this is not an all-encompassing biography, it is certainly a notable story about a lesser-known aspect of his life. Readers will enjoy this title, and it will easily tie in to school units as an enticing read-aloud. 

–Ellen Norton, White Oak Library District, Crest Hill, IL

Tardis Sneakers Update

Here's my followup of how they are getting worn:

Shoes are now getting broken in.

Color has remained very nice!

The paint is cracking a bit where the shoes flex. And they are beginning to get dirty. :)

Overall, I think they are aging nicely! If I were to do this again, I think I would only use one coat of acrylic sealer so it would be less shiny.

And I also found some old sketches of the idea process:

Kirkus Reviews Friends for Freedom!

A very nice Kirkus Review!

Two important historical figures from separate worlds come together for the common purpose of freedom.
From the first line of this work of creative nonfiction, the author makes clear the contrasts between Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony: The cabin in which the slave, Frederick, was born had clay floors; the two-story house in which Susan was born had floors of polished wood. Despite differences in race, class and upbringing, Douglass and Anthony determined to be friends despite the taboos against cross-racial friendships. Both Slade’s text and Tadgell’s watercolor illustrations emphasize the passion each had for social justice as well as the lengths to which they both went to maintain their friendship. Often, characters in the background peer at them, looking disgusted or scandalized. In one illustration, enemies throw rotten eggs at them; Douglass’ angry expression and Anthony’s upraised fist speak to their determination to make their friendship an example of how America should be. The backmatter, which includes a photograph of bronze sculptures in Rochester, New York, of Douglass and Anthony having tea together, also offers useful information from the author in which she delineates the facts versus the fiction in the story.
This biographical gem places the spotlight on a friendship far ahead of its time. (Picture book/biography. 6-10)

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/suzanne-slade/friends-for-freedom/