Ashley Bryan

"Using original slave auction and plantation estate documents, contrasts the monetary value of a slave with the priceless value of life experiences and dreams that a slave owner could never take away"--publisher.

From celebrated author and illustrator Ashley Bryan comes a deeply moving picture book memoir about serving in the segregated army during World War II, and how love and the pursuit of art sustained him. In May of 1942, at the age of eighteen, Ashley Bryan was drafted to fight in World War II. For the next three years, he would face the horrors of war as a black soldier in a segregated army. He endured the terrible lies white officers told about the...

A small boy with a very long name is challenged by his grandmother to find out her real name.

From celebrated author and illustrator Ashley Bryan comes a deeply moving picture book memoir about serving in the segregated army during World War II, and how love and the pursuit of art sustained him. In May of 1942, at the age of eighteen, Ashley Bryan was drafted to fight in World War II. For the next three years, he would face the horrors of war as a black soldier in a segregated army. He endured the terrible lies white officers told about...

A collection of twenty-six proverbs, some serious and some humorous, from a variety of African tribes.

Each letter of the alphabet is represented by a line from a poem by different African American poets, describing an aspect of the black experience.

Illustrated versions of three well-known hymns.

Ashley Bryan is a 94-year-old creative wonder who skips and jumps in his heart like a child. He served in a World War II all-Black battalion and experienced the D-Day and the racism of a segregated Army. As a result he dedicated his life to creating beauty and joy, spreading love and awe through his art. He's a poet/illustrator of over 50 award-winning children's books, former professor at Dartmouth College, and maker of magical puppets and sea glass...

Hand-selected by Newbery honoree Ashley Bryan, he has, with his masterful flourish of color, shape, and movement, added a visual layering that drums the most important message of all to young, old, parent, child, grandparent, and friend alike: You are loved. You are loved. You are loved. As a bonus, one page is mirrored, so children reading the book can see exactly who is loved--themselves!

Imagine being looked up and down and being valued as less than a chair. Less than an ox. Less than a dress. Maybe about the same as a lantern. You're an object-an object to be sold. Inspired by the actual will of a plantation owner that listed the worth of each and every one of his workers, Ashley Bryan uses original documents from slave auctions and plantation estates to create moving and powerful poetry and illustrations that contrast the monetary...