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Ashley Bryan: Words to My Life's Song
Ashley's autobiography is full of art, photographs, and the poignant never-say-never tale of his rich life, a life that has always included drawing and painting. Even as a boy growing up during the Depression, he painted -- finding cast off objects to turn into books and kites and toy and art. Even as a solder in the segregated Army on the beaches of Normandy, he sketched...more
Hardcover, 64 pages
Published
January 6th 2009
by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
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Bryan, Ashley. (2009). Words to my life’s song. New York: Atheneum/Simon & Schuster. 58 pp. ISBN 978-1-4169-0541-7 (Hardcover); $18.99
Anyone who has met Ashley Bryan or heard him speak will appreciate this gorgeous autobiography. Filled with marvelous photographs (by Bill Meguinness) of Bryan’s home on Little Cranberry Island in Maine and pictures from some of the books he has illustrated (more than 30) for children, this book is a celebration not only of Bryan’s thoughtful gentleness, but h...more
Anyone who has met Ashley Bryan or heard him speak will appreciate this gorgeous autobiography. Filled with marvelous photographs (by Bill Meguinness) of Bryan’s home on Little Cranberry Island in Maine and pictures from some of the books he has illustrated (more than 30) for children, this book is a celebration not only of Bryan’s thoughtful gentleness, but h...more
Ashley Bryan’s autobiography had an inspiring artistic theme. This is why I want to nominate his book for an Honor Book. His book is layed out as a scrapbook would be, it is simple but rich in details. He includes photos throughout his life, art pieces he has done, documents, and bright colors. Bryan’s family life was very close knit and they were all very supportive of each other. Bryan describes that he always loved to paint since he was a child. He got into an Art School where the students d...more
Biography of the successful children's book illustrator and artist. The book alternates between telling stories of Bryan's life and showing snapshots of his current life in the Cranberry Islands of Maine. Nice mix of artist lifestyle and historical issues. Race crops up, as well as his close relationships with his family. I think kids will notice that he never mentions any kind of romance or children of his own, but I kind of enjoy that. It really focuses on his journey as a working artist. Pers...more
This is an autobiography about Ashley Bryan, a talented illustrator who grew up during the great depression. In his autobiography, Bryan starts with his childhood. While growing up in Brooklyn New York during the hardest economic times, Bryan had a supportive family who encouraged his artistic abilities. On graduating high school, Ashley Bryan went out to find an art college that would accept him. He was denied not because he was not skilled, but because he was was not a white student. This did...more
Ashley Bryan: Words to my Life's Song was received the 2010 Golden Kite Award for non-fiction. This was one of the most amazing biographies I had read. There are times where I can see biographies boring students, but this man's story and illustrations are beyond amazing!I think this book would be most suitable for students in grades 3+.
It was enough information to tell Ashley Bryan's life and yet grasp the students attention. (some biographies can be very long which tend to lose students after...more
It was enough information to tell Ashley Bryan's life and yet grasp the students attention. (some biographies can be very long which tend to lose students after...more
I was lucky enough to hear Ashley Bryan speak at a conference a few years ago.
Young artists booktalk note: p. 51, painting outside. "I love painting outdoors from the landscape, when weather permits. Later in the day I return to my studio and work on my book projects. At times I turn to work on a puppet or a glass panel. Each activity taps into a different level of energy that allows me to extend my working day. I don't regard visits of family and friends as interruptions. Everything feeds into...more
Young artists booktalk note: p. 51, painting outside. "I love painting outdoors from the landscape, when weather permits. Later in the day I return to my studio and work on my book projects. At times I turn to work on a puppet or a glass panel. Each activity taps into a different level of energy that allows me to extend my working day. I don't regard visits of family and friends as interruptions. Everything feeds into...more
Both autobiography and guided tour of Bryan's beloved Little Cranberry Island, this is an exuberant portrayal of the life and work of a prolific artist, story-teller, poetry-singer, and winner of the Laura Ingalls Wilder award for his body of work for children. This can be read in various ways . There's the straight-forward narrative of Bryan's long and creative life, with examples of his illustrations and Bill McGuinnes's photos of him at work and with children, and the day-long tour of his isl...more
What an incredibly inspirational life artist Ashley Bryan has had. This book is a collage of photographs, examples of his art in many mediums (beach glass stained glass, found object sculptures, paintings and illustrations), and his story, and the whole is a unique, lovely autobiography for kids. I love everything he has to say about following one's passion and making a space for creativity in one's life. His Maine home and studio are supposed to be amazing, and oh, this book only reinforces my...more
Ashley Bryan walks along the beaches of Cranberry Island to share his song. Inspiration surrounded him from an early age—fruit, Impressionists’ artwork, caged birds, city trash. He had an ongoing desire to consume education throughout his life, and he always shared it with others. He always gave back and appreciated where he came from and those that helped him on his path. What others saw as trash, he made into beautiful, unique pieces of art. He took what he was given and made it flourish.
Grades 2nd & up
Bryan uses photographs from his hometown to tell the story of his life. The text is easy to read and uses words that can be understood by younger children. Children will enjoy the simple pictures as well and how art played a role in Bryans career choices.
Art/Social Studies
Lesson idea: collect various materials such as buttons, shells, and sticks to make a doll of their own.
Bryan uses photographs from his hometown to tell the story of his life. The text is easy to read and uses words that can be understood by younger children. Children will enjoy the simple pictures as well and how art played a role in Bryans career choices.
Art/Social Studies
Lesson idea: collect various materials such as buttons, shells, and sticks to make a doll of their own.
This is a beautiful book--a sort of autobiography of this award-winning illustrator. Very inspirational. I liked that the book showcased the wide range of Bryan's artistic talents. His paintings and drawings are superb. However, it seemed to be more than one book. The parallel narratives of Bryan walking along the beach (in prose-like descriptions) along with his life's story told in words, illustrations, and other ephemera is a little odd and choppy. I don't think it would appeal to younger kid...more
Thoroughly enjoyed this book he created to tell the story of his life in words, photos and drawings. What a very special man. He is the winner of this years Coretta Scott King Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ashley Bryan here tells the story of how he became a writer and illustrator of children's books in alternating pages with a tour of his home and neighborhood on Little Cranberry Island, Maine. He has led an interesting life in several countries, and was also a Black soldier in World War II, serving at the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. I've never cared much for his artwork, but I do love the stained seaglass pictures he's made--I'd love to see those in person! He also talks about how his elementa...more
This is a great biography for children. You can feel the inspiration oozing from each page. As an adult, I would have liked more information, but this is a perfectly suitable book for younger readers.
I really like the work that Ashley Bryan does, and I have heard his poetry is amazing to listen to. When I heard that this book was on the Maine Student Book Award List for 2010-2011, I rushed to the library to check this book out (:.<3.(:.
Colorful multiformat (art, poetry, narrative) memoir of a notable artist who richly describes his own life, particularly his pursuit of art.
Laura Ingalls Wilder award winner.
Laura Ingalls Wilder award winner.
This is a visually appealing introduction to an important illustrator and artist. Kids will find the text accessible and be intrigued by Bryan's artwork and collections.
A WONDERFUL book that aptly captures the remarkable spirit of and events in this tremendous man's life. Like Ashley himself, this book shines.
I enjoyed learning about Ashley Bryan's life, loved the photos from Maine, and appreciated Bryan's art, but the book's design was a bit confusing.
Beautiful design and brilliant balance of Bryan's illustrations and photos that document his life.
Pure magic. I read it in my cubicle and I was transported to another place.
What a positive amazing person! An inspiring artist and teacher.
Maine Student Book Award Nominee 2010
great autobiography!!
If you know me you know I'm an obsessive about reading, like the MSBA list every year this was one of thoes books and that is the only reason I read it.
MSBA Nominee 2010-2011
I really enjoyed the artwork in this book, but the narrative jumped around and was sometimes hard to follow.
ALA ALSC Notable 2010
The visual presentation of this book is its greatest strength. I liked the mix of illustrations and photographs as well as the variations in text size and color.
I wonder if the way the present-day walk along the beach and the information about Bryan's life are intermingled will be confusing for kids.
I wonder if the way the present-day walk along the beach and the information about Bryan's life are intermingled will be confusing for kids.
this goes on my favorite picturebooks ever list.
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Ashley Bryan is an illustrator, children's author, and poet.
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Aug 25, 2009 07:15pm