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Rating: 
Summary: Sally's tale
Review: "Almost to Freedom," by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, is illustrated by Colin Bootman. The story is set during the era of American slavery. The book's narrator is Sally, a black rag doll owned by Lindy, a slave girl on a Virginia plantation. Through Sally's eyes we see the odyssey of Lindy and her family.
The story is told in vernacular English; for example, Sally declares, "Bein' Lindy's doll baby is a right important job." The atmospheric, colorful illustrations effectively enhance the emotions of the story.
Particularly interesting is an "Author's Note" at the end of the book in which Nelson explains how she was inspired to write this story. Telling the story from the doll's point of view is a memorable and effective device which contributes greatly to the success of this moving and beautifully illustrated book. "Almost to Freedom" is a powerful use of African-American history in a children's book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent readaloud picture book
Review: Nelson, an accomplished storyteller, brings young readers and listeners an exceptional story of the Underground Railroad. Sally is a rag doll belonging to Lindy, a slave child. She has a "right important job" as comfort and companion to Lindy throught the hardships of slavery and her family's flight to freedom. Sally is lost on the trip, and after a lonely, weary time, she becomes comfort and companion to another slave child. The illustrations by Colin Bootman are stunning, capturing the warmth and drama of the story. Another fine tale adding to Nelson's award-winning work.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent readaloud picture book
Review: Nelson, an accomplished storyteller, brings young readers and listeners an exceptional story of the Underground Railroad. Sally is a rag doll belonging to Lindy, a slave child. She has a "right important job" as comfort and companion to Lindy throught the hardships of slavery and her family's flight to freedom. Sally is lost on the trip, and after a lonely, weary time, she becomes comfort and companion to another slave child. The illustrations by Colin Bootman are stunning, capturing the warmth and drama of the story. Another fine tale adding to Nelson's award-winning work.
Rating: 
Summary: Telling a story honestly and with verve
Review: Some stories have to be told over and over, every which way possible, in order to drill their history home. Vaunda Micheaux Nelson has penned an exciting tale of escape and freedom, set before the Civil War. Children's picture books that follow the lives of slaves always run the risk of watering down their material. It is exceedingly difficult to tell a story about slavery to little kids without making light of the nasty aspects of it. In this book, however, Nelson has adeptly told a story of escape through the eyes of a rag doll owned by a little runaway slave girl. She has done this without compromising any of the uglier aspects of the time, while softening the point of view to that of an inanimate object.Matching Nelson's sure-footed storytelling come the illustrations of Colin Bootman. His painting style uses thick oils and paints that somehow manage to convey emotion and depth. And just for the record, the father of the little girl who owns the doll is probably one of the hottest men ever to grace the pages of a picture book. I'm not kidding. Go out, find this book, look at her dad, and tell me he's not absolutely drop dead gorgeous. Wowzer. In and of itself, this book is well-made but not extraordinary. However, Nelson has included a couple instructional tidbits at the back of the book for further contemplation and understanding. In an author's note, she tells how she came up with the idea of the story. Kids can see a photograph of a real black rag doll form the 1800s. Then Nelson explains what the Underground Railroad was and how it worked. Finally, a glossary of terms that kids might not be familiar with (dear = expensive) is included for a final considerate touch. It is not a book that will necessarily blow you away, but "Almost to Freedom" accomplishes the difficult task of telling a fearful story in a manner appropriate for the young. No small task.
Rating:
Summary: Telling a story honestly and with verve
Review: Some stories have to be told over and over, every which way possible, in order to drill their history home. Vaunda Micheaux Nelson has penned an exciting tale of escape and freedom, set before the Civil War. Children's picture books that follow the lives of slaves always run the risk of watering down their material. It is exceedingly difficult to tell a story about slavery to little kids without making light of the nasty aspects of it. In this book, however, Nelson has adeptly told a story of escape through the eyes of a rag doll owned by a little runaway slave girl. She has done this without compromising any of the uglier aspects of the time, while softening the point of view to that of an inanimate object. Matching Nelson's sure-footed storytelling come the illustrations of Colin Bootman. His painting style uses thick oils and paints that somehow manage to convey emotion and depth. And just for the record, the father of the little girl who owns the doll is probably one of the hottest men ever to grace the pages of a picture book. I'm not kidding. Go out, find this book, look at her dad, and tell me he's not absolutely drop dead gorgeous. Wowzer. In and of itself, this book is well-made but not extraordinary. However, Nelson has included a couple instructional tidbits at the back of the book for further contemplation and understanding. In an author's note, she tells how she came up with the idea of the story. Kids can see a photograph of a real black rag doll form the 1800s. Then Nelson explains what the Underground Railroad was and how it worked. Finally, a glossary of terms that kids might not be familiar with (dear = expensive) is included for a final considerate touch. It is not a book that will necessarily blow you away, but "Almost to Freedom" accomplishes the difficult task of telling a fearful story in a manner appropriate for the young. No small task.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story!
Review: This story will bring many a tear to your eye. It is a wonderful story that shows children what it was like to run away from slavery. Good story and great illustrations!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story!
Review: This story will bring many a tear to your eye. It is a wonderful story that shows children what it was like to run away from slavery. Good story and great illustrations!
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