When we took our family trip to Washington, D.C. a couple of years ago, we saw an absolutely gorgeous story quilt. The artist was Faith Ringgold. It was an amazing sight to see for me, because I had recently become familiar with her some of her quilts through her children's books. What a great book to world connection!
I love when world-class artists share their talent with children through picture books. Faith Ringgold has done just that, and one of her picture books, Tar Beach, is a Caldecott Honor Book as well as Coretta Scott King Book Award winner. It is most appropriate for children between the ages of 6 and 8.
Faith Ringgold shares her memories of childhood and what growing up in Harlem meant to her, but she does it in such a unique way. From the rooftop, she explains how seeing stars and skyscrapers made her "feel rich, like I owned all that I could see." She also refers to the George Washington Bridge as "her most prized possession."
Through the fantasy of flying, the narrator takes us to the places where her father worked, but was not allowed to join "the Union." Flying, a sign of freedom, represents her hope for a future of equality and social justice.
The first of five story quilts in this artist/author's "Woman on a Bridge" series, Tar Beach can be found on display at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City. The picture book version has new paintings, but certain elements of the original quilt can be found throughout this one-of-a-kind work of children's literature.
For older readers, between the ages of 8 and 10, who are learning about slavery and the Underground Railroad, Faith Ringgold has another book called Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad in the Sky. Using the same main characters and the concept of flying once again, there is much to be learned about American history through this unique piece of historical fiction.
This cleverly designed picture book earned the distinction of being named a 1993 National Council for the Social Studies Children's Book Council Notable Children's Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies, and like Tar Beach, combines fantasy and reality in a way that will fascinate readers.
These two children's books will make it easy for your child to make all kinds of connections to his own life, as well as to the real world. Whether your child creates her own story quilt, or sees one of Faith Ringgold's in a museum, connections like these make learning more meaningful and memorable for children.
If you'd
like to see more of Faith Ringgold's story quilts online, or if you'd
like to find out which museums display them, click here.