Description

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Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award - American Library Association (ALA)

i see the rhythmis an inspiring celebration of African American music and the far-reaching impact it has had on the world.

From Michele Wood and Toyomi Ingus, the award-winning artist and author of Going Back Home, comes their second book, i see the rhythm, a uniquely visual and poetic introduction to the history of African American music.

Beginning with the roots of black music in Africa and continuing on to contemporary hip hop, i see the rhythm takes us on a musical journey through time. We are invited to feel the rhythm of work songs on a southern plantation, to see the rhythm of jazz from a balcony in New Orleans, to dance to the rhythm of swing at the Savoy in Harlem, and to rejoice to the rhythm of gospel from a church pew on a Sunday morning.

Each stunning spread-including art, poetic text, a description of the music style, and a time line of selected historical events-encompasses the spirit of the times and the strength of the communities where the music was born. Igus's lyrical text, matched with Wood's daring vision, captures the feel of each style of music and pays tribute to the musicians who gave the music life.

i see the rhythm is an inspiring celebration of African American music and the far-reaching impact it has had on the world.

About the Author

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Toyomi Igus is the author and editor of several books for children, including Two Mrs. Gibsons and the award-winning Going Back Home, her brilliant account of artist Michele Wood's personal journey to the South. The former Editor and Publications Director for UCLA's Center for African American Studies, she lives in Los Angeles, California. Michele Wood is an illustrator, painter, aspiring filmmaker, colorist, clothing and jewelry designer, living in Atlanta, Georgia. She accomplished her Master in Divinity at Christian Theological Seminary, where she was the Artist in Residence 2015-2018. She was awarded the Young Church Women United Award 2016. Her first book, Going Back Home, was honored with an American Book Award Before Columbus Foundation. Wood's second book, i see the rhythm received the Coretta Scott King Award in 1999 for Illustration.