Loud and Proud

August 1, 2023
A tribute to the first Black woman to serve in Congress. Brushing most of the biographical specifics into a closing timeline titled "The Chisholm Trail," Cline-Ransome focuses on her subject's pugnaciousness--following Shirley Chisholm from a child who was "always small, but she talked big, walked tall, and told just about everyone what to do" through the halls of state and then national government ("There may be some fireworks") and her "Unbought and Unbossed" run for presidential candidate to retirement from Congress in 1983. Juanita punctuates scenes of Chisholm standing slender and confident in outsized eyeglasses and a crown of lacquered black hair before scowling (white male) opponents and racially diverse cheering crowds amid full-page emblematic outbursts--"What are you doing running for office?" "What does your husband think of all this?" "If you can't support me, if you can't endorse me, GET OUT OF MY WAY." A closing gallery of political successors of color, from Barbara Jordan through Kamala Harris and Ilhan Omar, establishes her legacy, but she remains here no more than a distant, iconic figure. Readers may feel spoiled for choice, as this joins a recent gush of picture-book profiles, at least some of which offer warmer, more nuanced views of Chisholm as a person as well as a role model. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Readable but limited and likely to be lost in the shuffle. (author's note, photo) (Picture-book biography. 6-8)

COPYRIGHT(2023) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Starred review from August 1, 2023

Gr 2-5-History shines in this rousing biography of Shirley Chisholm. The expansive story follows the course of the congresswoman's life, from her childhood through her political career, culminating in her historic presidential campaign. Cline-Ransome's well-chosen language contrasts the narrow-minded contempt of the establishment with Chisholm's spirit and defiance: "When they told her to slow down, Shirley worked quickly...When they told her to remember her place, Shirley made her own place." Juanita's digital art, in vignettes and full bleeds, depicts Chisholm's tireless forward march through education and politics. Some illustrations contain straightforward snapshots of moments small and large-a family bedroom, a local rally, a spectacular fireworks display at the Capitol. Others focus on close-up views of objects, such as ballot boxes, food stamps, and presidential campaign buttons, to clarify key political concepts. In an inspired visual motif, Juanita renders the characters' speech as clouds emerging from their mouths (some empty and some containing important pull quotes from the story), a literal treatment of their words' energy and outward spread. While the word clouds of her naysayers are gray, spiked, and threatening, Chisholm's appear light blue and fluid, like a joyful tidal wave. VERDICT A first purchase, this excellent treatment of a trailblazing political figure will serve as a stepping stone from shorter picture books to chapter books for young lovers of biography.-Jonah Dragan

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2023
Born in 1924 Brooklyn to immigrant parents (from Guyana and Barbados) who worked in low-wage jobs, Chisholm was attuned from a young age to the social and economic inequities around her. After a discussion of Chisholm's early years (she excelled academically), Cline-Ransome focuses her picture-book biography on Chisholm's illustrious and groundbreaking career, which included winning a seat in the New York State Assembly and election to Congress, where she served seven terms. Following her historic though unsuccessful presidential bid, she continued to pursue her fight for affordable childcare, access to education, and a living wage. Describing Chisholm as "small, but she talked big, walked tall, and told just about everybody what to do," Cline-Ransome highlights her subject's "loud and proud" and determined personality, often incorporating Chisholm's own words into the narrative. Juanita's digitally rendered illustrations are energetic and strikingly portray person and purpose, especially in the wordless double-page spread of Chisholm standing poised to begin her first term in Congress against a vivid backdrop of fireworks and the U.S. Capitol building. Pair with Bolden's Speak Up, Speak Out! (rev. 3/22), Williams's Shirley Chisholm Dared (rev. 9/21), and Russell-Brown's She Was the First (rev. 11/20). Pauletta Brown Bracy

(Copyright 2023 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from September 25, 2023
Cline-Ransome and Juanita’s biography of trailblazing Black politician Shirley Chisholm (1924–2005) aptly evokes the “Unbought and Unbossed” woman who shook up U.S. politics. Born Shirley Anita St. Hill, the young figure “talked big, walked tall, and told just about everyone what to do.” Witnessing her parents’ hard work to feed her family in Brooklyn, and overhearing her father’s union-focused talk, she began “looking for answers in a world that seemed to turn its back on people who had less.” A full scholarship to Brooklyn College engaged her in the debate club and the NAACP, and she listened when a professor suggested she go into politics. Getting signatures to run for the New York State Assembly in 1964, she faced pushback that spurred her toward greater determination. Juanita’s inventive digital illustrations recreate Chisholm’s quotes in speech bubbles that seem to embody the loftiness of thunderheads, aptly suggesting force-of-nature stature for a figure who wanted “to be remembered as a catalyst for change in America.” Secondary characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author’s note and timeline conclude. Ages 4–8.

Starred review from September 1, 2023
Grades 1-3 *Starred Review* This vibrantly colored, boisterous, and well-paced biography of pioneering Shirley Chisholm belongs in every library. Following Shirley from her earliest years as a "bossy" tot through college and into politics and retirement, this all-encompassing account of the activist and politician is packed with detail while avoiding feeling dense. Cline-Ransome's taut prose helps Shirley leap off the page with snappy dialogue, and her focus on Shirley's actions and impact rather than the political world around her helps her be the star of her own story. Juanita's colorful illustration style incorporates vintage color palettes, stylized figure designs, speech balloons, and playful perspectives and scale, making for a warm invitation into the story. The full spread of Chisholm at the Capitol with fireworks is a particular stunner! Smart, intellectual, and yet still child friendly, this informative volume offers young readers a chance to learn about Shirley and to hear for themselves her famous words--many of which will still resonate today. Add this to any biography collection in need of engaging titles about groundbreaking yet too-often-overlooked historical figures. Fans of the work of Mara Rockliff and Helaine Becker will find much to admire here.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2024
Born in 1924 Brooklyn to immigrant parents (from Guyana and Barbados) who worked in low-wage jobs, Chisholm was attuned from a young age to the social and economic inequities around her. After a discussion of Chisholm's early years (she excelled academically), Cline-Ransome focuses her picture-book biography on Chisholm's illustrious and groundbreaking career, which included winning a seat in the New York State Assembly and election to Congress, where she served seven terms. Following her historic though unsuccessful presidential bid, she continued to pursue her fight for affordable childcare, access to education, and a living wage. Describing Chisholm as "small, but she talked big, walked tall, and told just about everybody what to do," Cline-Ransome highlights her subject's "loud and proud" and determined personality, often incorporating Chisholm's own words into the narrative. Juanita's digitally rendered illustrations are energetic and strikingly portray person and purpose, especially in the wordless double-page spread of Chisholm standing poised to begin her first term in Congress against a vivid backdrop of fireworks and the U.S. Capitol building. Pair with Bolden's Speak Up, Speak Out! (rev. 3/22), Williams's Shirley Chisholm Dared (rev. 9/21), and Russell-Brown's She Was the First (rev. 11/20).

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)