Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee!
Description
Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Junior Library Guild Selection
NAACP Image Award Nominee, NAACP
A biography of James Van Der Zee, innovative and celebrated African American photographer of the Harlem Renaissance.
James VanDerZee was just a young boy when he saved enough money to buy his first camera. He took photos of his family, classmates, and anyone who would sit still for a portrait. By the fifth grade, James was the school photographer and unofficial town photographer.
Eventually he outgrew his small town and moved to the exciting, fast-paced world of New York City. After being told by his boss that no one would want his or her photo taken "by a black man," James opened his own portrait studio in Harlem. He took photographs of legendary figures of the Harlem Renaissance-politicians such as Marcus Garvey, performers including Florence Mills, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, and Mamie Smith-and ordinary folks in the neighborhood too. Everyone wanted fancy portraits by James VanDerZee.
Winner of Lee & Low's New Voices Award, Take a Picture of Me, James VanDerZee! tells the story of a groundbreaking artist who chronicled an important era in Harlem and showed the beauty and pride of its people.
Product Details
BISAC Categories:
Earn by promoting books
Earn money by sharing your favorite books through our Affiliate program.
Become an affiliate
About the Author
Reviews
* "An absorbing debut... Mallett's lush acrylic paintings glow with a golden light in several scenes, treating his subject... with the same reverence VanDerZee brought to his work." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "The vibrant illustrations paired with the lively text make Take a Picture of Me, James VanDerZee! a picture book biography that truly shares the beauty VanDerZee saw in his heart." -- Shelf Awareness, starred review
"The art will help readers to visualize this iconic setting and imbues a sense of pride in one of Harlem's unsung heroes. A fascinating addition to the picture-book biography shelf." -- Booklist
"A fascinating look at the development of early photography, the life of an African-American artist, and the world of the Harlem Renaissance." -- Kirkus Reviews
"Vivid visuals and comprehensive text combine for an excellent resource for biography collections." -- School Library Journal
Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
Junior Library Guild Selection
NAACP Image Award Nominee, NAACP
Eureka! Award, California Reading Association
101 Great Books for Kids, Evanston Public Library
