I had seen today’s featured book – Sing a Song : How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations – a few months ago, and finally remembered it and picked it up when I was looking for more to inform myself on all that is happening around us. And with recent news articles featuring the song this book is based on – ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing‘ – I knew I had to share this book with all of you.

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for your support. For further information, you can see the full disclosure.

The Book Review

Sing a Song

Book Info

Description

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us.

Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us.

In Jacksonville, Florida, two brothers, one of them the principal of a segregated, all-black school, wrote the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing” so his students could sing it for a tribute to Abraham Lincoln’s birthday in 1900. From that moment on, the song has provided inspiration and solace for generations of Black families. Mothers and fathers passed it on to their children who sang it to their children and grandchildren. Known as the Black National Anthem, it has been sung during major moments of the Civil Rights Movement and at family gatherings and college graduations.

Inspired by this song’s enduring significance, Kelly Starling Lyons and Keith Mallett tell a story about the generations of families who gained hope and strength from the song’s inspiring words.

My Thoughts

This is a tribute in the form of a beautiful and powerfully inspiring picture book. It is a tribute to the song it is based on (Lift Every Voice and Sing); to the struggles and strength of a community; to traditions that pass from generation to generation; as well as to the strength that the past offers to each new generation so they can face their future; and to the spirit that endures and empowers us even today, especially considering the current events, when the song and its words are so important.

Lyons takes the reader along on a journey through time using the story of one family; right from the song’s creation to when it was first sung on February 12, 1900, and later to when the National Museum of African American History was opened on September 24, 2016, and then to the present day. I loved how Lyons portrays the traditions we pass on from generation to generation of a family through this song.

And the artwork! Keith Mallett’s colorful, glowing, gorgeously detailed illustrations help capture the transition between the generations effortlessly, while portraying how the song helps each of them.

The author’s note at the end of the book adds information about the history of the song for readers who want to know more. Note that while I read the digital copy, the physical copy also includes the complete lyrics of the song in the end covers of the book.

In Summary

A timely and uplifting book with lyrical text and stunning artwork that we need now! A must have for every home and classroom.

Get It Here

 Book Depository || Target ||
Barnes and Noble || IndieBound

Disclaimer: Thanks to Edelweiss and the publishers for the digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Would You Rather

Today’s WYR

WYR read a novel based on a true story of someone you know or a fictional novel where a character is based on you?

My choice would be the first one.

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, do let me know about any books similar to this – both fiction and non-fiction..

Linking up to the Ultimate Blog Challenge and feel free to join in so you can interact with other bloggers and challenge yourself to post everyday this month.

For previous posts, click on the links below:

Day_1 Day_2 Day_3 Day_4 Day_5 Day_6 Day_7