Cover Reveal for The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist
Happy Thursday! I am excited to celebrate the cover for The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist with Cynthia Levinson and Vanessa Brantley Newton. Thank you, Cynthia and Vanessa!
Hi, Reader and Writer
Friends. Thank you, Mr. Schu, for uncovering Vanessa Brantley Newton’s stirring
cover for our nonfiction picture book, The
Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights
Activist, due out in January from Atheneum. Audrey was the youngest child
to protest segregation in Birmingham in 1963. In fact, she was only nine years
old when she was arrested and jailed for a week! She knew what she was getting
into because Dr. King ate dinners at her house. She served him her favorite
rolls; the recipe’s in the back of the book.
But it’s the cover that’s up
front now. Here’s what Vanessa says about it: I wanted Audrey to be the hero
and victor, not just a victim. I wanted young people to see themselves in
her—strong, smart, and able-bodied but also with the innocence and bravery of
walking into something so dangerous. Grooming was important if you wanted to be
taken seriously. When marching they took pride in their appearances. I
gave Audrey a pink sweater because I had a pink sweater, and I remember how I
felt when I wore it. The pink sky speaks of hope of a new day; the flag because
these students, too, were Americans. The look is sober and strong.
I think Vanessa nailed it.
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Illustration credit: Vanessa Brantley Newton |
Look for The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist on January 17, 2017.
I love that Vanessa gave Audrey a pink sweater because she had one herself. If we want our readers to see themselves in our characters, it makes sense that we should make them personal!
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