Starred review from November 1, 2024
PreS-Gr 3-From the moment Toni Morrison drew chalk drawings on the sidewalk, she was a storyteller. Told in verse, Pinkney's beautiful homage to Morrison begins in her birthplace of Lorain, OH. Her childhood was filled with playing with her siblings, hopscotch, and ABCs. Morrison went on to study at Howard University and it was there that she left behind her birth name, Chloe Ardelia. After graduating, she became a literary agent, ushering Black writers into what was a predominantly white space. After reading others' stories, she decided to tell stories of her own, eventually publishing her venerable list. Pinkney's expertly woven lines tell the story of how the girl who was playing games with her siblings became the phenomenal writer behind so many works. Floral patterns and line drawings merge in vibrant illustrations to create unique pieces of art that adorn each spread. VERDICT This winning tribute to a great American writer is a must-purchase for picture book collections.-Myiesha Speight
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Starred review from November 1, 2024
Grades 1-3 *Starred Review* There is a line in Toni Morrison's novel Song of Solomon in which a character exclaims "And she was loved" in an expression of resistance against the anti-Blackness she experiences. In this poetic paean to the late author, Pinkney employs the same line as a motif to express deep reverence and affection for Morrison's life and work. The text addresses Morrison directly in second person, which creates an intimacy between reader and subject. The narrative arc is straightforward, tracing a path from the subject's childhood to death, noting high and low points, accomplishments, victories, and personal and professional joy and pain, the refrain serving as both a reminder to readers and an homage to Morrison. Pinkney's sumptuous writing is paired perfectly with multilayered illustrations by Minter, who embeds washes of watercolor with white linework and acrylic overlays to convey the sheer vibrancy of Morrison. Minter addresses Morrison in the artist's note so that, from start to finish, And She Was Loved brims with the love felt by its creators. The text ends with a call to readers to spread their creative wings and chart their own course knowing they, too, are loved. Creative teachers will find many ways to use this lush book as a mentor text for creative writers.
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November 11, 2024
Reiteratively employing the refrain “And she was loved...,” this telling traces the life and work of Toni Morrison (1931–2019), from sidewalk chalk drawings made during her Lorain, Ohio, childhood to a legacy borne of “griot grit.” While managing single motherhood and nurturing Black writers’ dreams as a book editor, “you manage a scribbled story about a Black girl wishing for sapphire eyes, ” leading to further works, and eventually to awards including “Pulitzer./ Nobel./ Presidential Medal.” Reverent lines from Davis Pinkney use the language of “planting and tilling” throughout. Background washes by Minter, a study in radiant paintwork, overflow with white-outlined flowers that represent “Chloe Ardelia,” Morrison’s given name, which means “blooming floret.” More glowing tribute than straight biography, it’s a soulful paean to a beloved creator. Back matter includes creators’ notes, biographical details, and a timeline. Ages 4–8.
Starred review from November 15, 2024
An acclaimed writer pays homage to a literary icon. Toni Morrison was born Chloe Ardelia Wofford to a loving family in Lorain, Ohio. Their home teemed with stories and spirituals, fueling her passion for words. Chloe was the only Black girl in her class and the first to read. When she grew up and went away to Howard University, she changed her first name to Toni; an avid student, she was at last surrounded by other Black scholars. Her post-college career saw her connect with Black writers; as an editor, she helped them usher their work into the world. She worked on her own stories, eventually publishing her groundbreaking first novel, The Bluest Eye. Throughout her career, Morrison's love for her people placed their lived experiences within the tapestry of the human narrative. This free verse ode is more than a biography; it's a tribute to the power of the literary life and community. Pinkney's choice to echo the phrase "and she was loved" is a dramatic way of highlighting the encouragement and support Morrison received--which she gave back through her stories. In a moving essay in the backmatter, Pinkney discusses in more detail why Morrison's legacy matters. Minter's evocative illustrations pair perfectly with the lyrical text; saturated depictions of his subject contrast with silhouettes and outlined images of young people dancing and playing--a reminder of that rich community in which Morrison blossomed. A potent example of the reach of artistic genius. (artist's note, timeline, selected works of Toni Morrison, sources consulted)(Picture-book biography. 4-8)
COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
March 1, 2025
Toni Morrison (1931-2019), a gifted student, was the only Black girl in her Lorain, Ohio, first-grade class. She grew up to be a trailblazing book editor and a Pulitzer- and Nobel Prize-winning author who stands as a giant in the pantheon of literary greats, all while navigating the world as a Black woman. Pinkney honors her legacy with a sophisticated narrative ode in verse. Weaving biographical moments together with exaltation and admiration ("Oh, Toni Morrison, / you liberate all of us. / You -- let us breathe"), Pinkney conveys not only a life dedicated to the artistry of the written word but also the woman behind the pen. Minter, who uses mixed media that includes hand-painting, acrylic, and digital techniques, says in an appended note that he framed the work as a "praise poem." The art is awash in saturated tones and bold, almost oversized renderings of Morrison that become transcendent with the intricate white lines that are meticulously included on every page. Each spread is full of beauty, depth, and movement honoring one whose life's work amounts to a love letter to Black people. Back matter includes statements from the author and artist, biographical timelines, and a list of Morrison's selected works. Pair with Weatherford and Thompson's A Crown of Stories: The Life and Language of Beloved Writer Toni Morrison (rev. 5/24). Monique Harris
(Copyright 2025 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)