Synopses & Reviews
In her debut picture book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl--an every girl--whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl's faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird.
Lyrical and affecting text paired with bold, striking illustrations that are some of Caldecott Honoree Christopher Myers's best work, makes Firebird perfect for aspriring ballerinas everywhere.
Review
Praise for FIREBIRD:
An NPR Best Book of 2014
An Amazon Best Book of the Month, September 2014
An Amazon Best Book of 2014 — Ages 6-8
Essence Magazine Best Children's Book of 2014
“The language soars into dizzying heights of lyrical fancy… Myers artwork... pulsate[s] with kinetic synergy… A starscape filled with visual drama and brilliance.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Ballet dancer Misty Copeland makes her children's book debut with this inspiring love letter to young people, containing breathtaking illustrations of airborne dancers by Caldecott Honor artist Christopher Myers… Brava!”—Shelf Awareness, starred review
"An inspirational picture book for children daunted by the gap between their dream and their reality."—Booklist
“A poetic dialogue between an aspiring young dancer and the American Ballet Theaters soloist comprises the text of this stunning picture book… which feature[s] full spreads bursting with color and excitement… A very successful collaboration.” —School Library Journal
“[A] soaring debut picture book by American Ballet Theater star Misty Copeland… Myers extraordinary artwork captures the mystique of the Firebird ballet and Copelands indomitable spirit. This is a tale that will inspire all up-and-comers.” —BookPage
“Scenes of an older dancer guiding a young student… reinforce the feeling that Copeland is speaking directly to readers… Myers paints portrait after portrait of Copeland dancing, placing the images against collages of colored paper whose curves, sunbursts, and radiating rays echo the rhythms of the dancers' movements… a strong impact.”—Publishers Weekly
“Firebird celebrates optimism—the mentality that you will succeed if you set your mind to it. And we think thats a pretty darn awesome message.”—Dance Spirit
“World-renowned ballerina Copeland shows that the power and grace she displays on the stage translates to the page as well, paired with Myers' strong illustrations.”—HuffPost Books
“American Ballet Theatre soloist Copeland is just as graceful with words as she is with her body… Myerss stunning collages layer strips of thickly painted paper to echo the wings of a firebird (Copelands signature role), whether they are illustrating the stage curtains or a cloudy sky… This book encourages todays aspiring dancers of all colors and backgrounds.”—The Horn Book
“Misty Copelands first childrens book is destined to become a staple in classrooms and libraries… Copelands empowering words are matched by award-winning illustrator Christopher Myers dazzling red and gold hues.”—Essence Magazine
“Vivid and emotional. Copeland's writing and Myers' art draw you into a beautiful world, rich with color, texture and drama. For all budding young artists who maybe don't have role models they can relate to, this little book provides some inspiration.”
—NPR Staff Picks, For Art Lovers, Kids Books
Synopsis
andlt;iandgt;Go back to bed,andlt;BRandgt; baby please, baby, please.andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt; Not on your HEAD,andlt;BRandgt; baby baby baby, please!andlt;/iandgt;andlt;BRandgt;andlt;BRandgt; Academy-Award nominated filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, producer Tonya Lewis Lee, preset a behind-the-scenes look at the chills, spills, and unequivocal thrills of bringing up baby! andlt;BRandgt; andlt;BRandgt; Vivid illustrations from celebrated artist Kadir Nelson evoke toddlerhood from sandbox to high chair to crib.
Synopsis
Go back to bed,
baby please, baby, please.
Not on your HEAD,
baby baby baby, please
Academy-Award nominated filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, producer Tonya Lewis Lee, preset a behind-the-scenes look at the chills, spills, and unequivocal thrills of bringing up baby
Vivid illustrations from celebrated artist Kadir Nelson evoke toddlerhood from sandbox to high chair to crib.
Synopsis
From moments fussy to fond, Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Spike Lee and his wife, producer Tonya Lewis Lee, present a behind-the-scenes look at the chills, spills, and unequivocal thrills of bringing up baby Go back to bed,
baby, please, baby, please.
Not on your HEAD
baby baby baby, please
Vivid illustrations from celebrated artist Kadir Nelson evoke toddlerhood from sandbox to high chair to crib, and families everywhere will delight in sharing these exuberant moments again and again.
About the Author
andlt;bandgt;Spike Leeandlt;/bandgt; is one of the most prominent and influential media figures today. His films include the critically acclaimed andlt;iandgt;School Daze;andlt;/iandgt; Academy Award nominee andlt;iandgt;Do the Right Thing; Malcolm X; Clockers;andlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;25th Hour.andlt;/iandgt; Born in Atlanta, Spike attended Morehouse College and NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where he earned his master of fine arts degree in film production. Spike and his wife are the authors of andlt;iandgt;Please, Baby, Please,andlt;/iandgt; their first picture book with Simon andamp; Schuster. They live in New York City with their two children. andlt;bandgt;Tonya Lewis Leeandlt;/bandgt; is a graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the University of Virginia School of Law. As a children's television producer she has worked with Disney, Nickelodeon, and Noggin/The N, where she was the executive producer of the award-winning documentary andlt;iandgt;I Sit Where I Want: The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Educationandlt;/iandgt; and the critically acclaimed miniseries andlt;iandgt;Miracle's Boys.andlt;/iandgt; She is also the author of andlt;iandgt;Gotham Diaries,andlt;/iandgt; her first novel. andlt;Bandgt;Kadir Nelsonandlt;/Bandgt; is the widely acclaimed illustrator of many books for children, including andlt;iandgt;Thunder Rose,andlt;/iandgt; written by Jerdine Nolen, which received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award; andlt;iandgt;Ellington Was Not a Street,andlt;/iandgt; written by Ntozake Shange, which received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award; and andlt;iandgt;Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life,andlt;/iandgt; written by Jerdine Nolen, which won the 2005 Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. He is also the illustrator of Deloris Jordan and Roslyn M. Jordanand#8217;s andlt;iandgt;Salt in His Shoesandlt;/iandgt; and Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee's andlt;iandgt;Please, Baby, Pleaseandlt;/iandgt; and andlt;iandgt;Please, Puppy, Pleaseandlt;/iandgt;. Kadir Nelson lives with his family in San Diego, California.