IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW AND JEANNE WALKER HARVEY

ABOUT THE BOOK

Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas

Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey

Illustrated by Loveis Wise

Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages

Publisher: HarperCollins | ISBN-13: 9780063021891

Publisher’s Synopsis: Celebrate the life-changing power of art in this inspiring and stunningly illustrated picture book biography of American artist Alma Thomas.

Meet an incredible woman who broke down barriers throughout her whole life and is now known as one of the most preeminent painters of the 20th century. Told from the point of view of young Alma Thomas, readers can follow along as she grows into her discovery of the life-changing power of art.

As a child in Georgia, Alma Thomas loved to spend time outside, soaking up the colors around her. And her parents filled their home with color and creativity despite the racial injustices they faced. After the family moved to Washington DC, Alma shared her passion for art by teaching children. When she was almost seventy years old, she focused on her own artwork, inspired by nature and space travel.

In this celebration of art and the power of imagination, Jeanne Walker Harvey and Loveis Wise tell the incredible true story of Alma Thomas, the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum in New York City and to have her work chosen for the White House collection. With her bold and vibrant abstract paintings, Alma set the world ablaze with color.

Ablaze with Color includes extensive backmatter with photos, an author’s and illustrator’s note, a timeline, and a list of sources and resources, which will be a great tool for parents, educators, and librarians. Perfect for Women’s History Month and Black History Month units alongside such favorites as Malala’s Magic Pencil, Hidden Figures, and Mae Among the Stars.

PURCHASE LINKS

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zCihtO

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9780063021891

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeanne Walker Harvey has been a longtime docent at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Just like Alma Thomas, Jeanne believes that art brings us joy. Her other picture books include Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines and My Hands Sing the Blues: Romare Bearden’s Childhood Journey. Jeanne studied literature and psychology at Stanford University. She lives in Northern California.

Visit her online at www.jeanneharvey.com.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Loveis Wise is an illustrator and designer from Washington, DC. They are currently based in Los Angeles and their work often speaks to themes of joy and liberation. Their work can be found through the New Yorker, Google, Adobe, and the New York Times.

You can find them online at www.loveiswise.com.

MY REVIEW OF THIS BOOK

Ablaze in Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas

Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey

Illustrated by Loveis Wise

Harvey and Wise share the story of the first black woman to have her work exhibited in a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum of Art in New York City. Michele Obama chose her Resurrection painting as the first Black woman’s art displayed in the White House.

Alma grew up in segregated Georgia where schools and institutions remained segregated at the time. Her parents countered that by opening their home to books of all sorts and teachers who gave lectures. Alma preferred to be outside absorbing the colors, sights, and sounds of nature.

Alma’s parents moved to Washington, DC as she turned fifteen. Schools and institutions remained closed to black students. As alma matured, she followed in her parents’ footsteps and brought art to students in her home. She organized field trips and encouraged them to display their work.

When Alma retired from teaching, she turned back to creating her own art projects, infusing them with the colors of nature. She grabbed inspiration from the space program of the late sixties. Galleries soon took notice of her brilliant abstract pieces, leading to her solo exhibit and notoriety. The Mayor of Washington, DC proclaimed “Alma Thomas Day,” on September 9, 1972.

The book features stunning illustrations, along with a timeline of Thomas’s life and historical events. Harvey provides references for young readers to satiate their curiosity and expand their knowledge. Highly recommended resource for students and teachers in elementary, middle school, and beyond.

GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a classroom set of the picture book Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas!

Three (3) winners receive:

A classroom set of Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas, autographed and personalized for each student and the teacher by Jeanne Walker Harvey (no more than 30 books per set).

https://gleam.io/N6hGR/ablaze-with-color-book-giveaway

TOUR SCHEDULE

Saturday, January 15, 2022The Children’s Book ReviewA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Monday, January 18, 2022Some the WiserA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Tuesday, January 19, 2022Barbara Ann Mojica’s BlogA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Wednesday, January 20, 2022Twirling Book PrincessA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Thursday, January 21, 2022Lisa’s ReadingA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Friday, January 22, 2022Glass of Wine, Glass of MilkA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Monday, January 25, 2022Heart to HeartA book giveaway ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Tuesday, January 26, 2022Satisfaction for Insatiable ReadersA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Wednesday, January 27, 2022Life Is What It’s CalledA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Thursday, January 28, 2022Books Are Magic TooA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Friday, January 29, 2022The Momma SpotA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Monday, February 1, 2022Writer with WanderlustA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Tuesday, February 2, 2022Me Two BooksA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Wednesday, February 3, 2022icefairy’s Treasure ChestA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Thursday, February 4, 2022BookShelfMommaA book review ofAblaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas