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Picture Book Biography
A Picture Book of Rosa Parks
Called "The Mother of the Civil Rights Movement," Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger.
When she was arrested in December 1955, her act of civil disobedience sparked the year-long Mongomery bus boycott led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Across the city, African Americans refused to ride the public buses. This is considered the first large-scale US. demonstration against segregation.
From Rosa Parks' early life through her activism and eventual honors, this fully-illustrated biography helps children understand the background and context that led Rosa Parks to fight for civil rights.
Pura Belpré Honor-winning artist, Robert Casilla, gives life to history with his colorful paintings of Parks' story.
Back matter includes author's note and timeline of important dates.
For almost thirty years, David Adler’s Picture Book Biography series has profiled famous people who changed the world. Colorful, kid-friendly illustrations combine with Adler’s “expert mixtures of facts and personality” ( Booklist ) to introduce young readers to history through compelling biographies of presidents, heroes, inventors, explorers, and adventurers. These books are ideal for first and second graders interested in history or who need reliable sources for school book reports.
When she was arrested in December 1955, her act of civil disobedience sparked the year-long Mongomery bus boycott led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Across the city, African Americans refused to ride the public buses. This is considered the first large-scale US. demonstration against segregation.
From Rosa Parks' early life through her activism and eventual honors, this fully-illustrated biography helps children understand the background and context that led Rosa Parks to fight for civil rights.
Pura Belpré Honor-winning artist, Robert Casilla, gives life to history with his colorful paintings of Parks' story.
Back matter includes author's note and timeline of important dates.
For almost thirty years, David Adler’s Picture Book Biography series has profiled famous people who changed the world. Colorful, kid-friendly illustrations combine with Adler’s “expert mixtures of facts and personality” ( Booklist ) to introduce young readers to history through compelling biographies of presidents, heroes, inventors, explorers, and adventurers. These books are ideal for first and second graders interested in history or who need reliable sources for school book reports.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
4 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
David A. Adler
404 books205 followersDavid Abraham Adler is an American children's author. He was born in New York City, New York in 1947. He graduated from Queens College in 1968 with a bachelor's degree in economics and education. For the next nine years, he worked as a mathematics teacher for the New York City Board of Education, while taking classes towards a master's degree in marketing, a degree he was awarded by New York University in 1971. In that same year, a question from his then-three-year-old nephew inspired Adler to write his first story, A Little at a Time, subsequently published by Random House in 1976. Adler's next project, a series of math books, drew on his experience as a math teacher. In 1977, he created his most famous character, Cam Jansen, originally featured in Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, which was published that year.
Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.
Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.
As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.
(source: Wikipedia)
Adler married psychologist Renee Hamada in 1973, and their first child, Michael, was born in 1977. By that time Adler had taken a break from teaching and, while his wife continued her work, he stayed home, took care of Michael, and began a full-time writing career.
Adler's son, Michael S. Adler, is now the co-author of several books with his father, including A Picture Book of Sam Adams, A Picture Book of John Hancock, and A Picture Book of James and Dolly Madison. Another son, Edward, was the inspiration for Adler's Andy Russell series, with the events described in the series loosely based on adventures the Adler family had with Edward's enthusiasm and his pets.
As of November 2008, Adler has three sons and two grandsons. He lives in Woodmere, New York.
(source: Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
October 14, 2020
This book is amazing! Many people grow up learning that Rosa Parks was just an ordinary old woman who wanted to sit after a long day of work. But this book challenges that misconception, explaining that Rosa Parks had been involved with the NAACP for years before the bus boycotts began. I also like how the story didn't end when the bus boycotts ended; rather, it continued to talk about Rosa Park's work after the boycotts and taught her legacy.
An issue that books like this can run into is trying to be too politically neutral. I think this book did a good job fully explaining that segregation and racism are bad; there is no question about that and there should be no debating it.
Readers can tell that the author did much research and focused on historical accuracy, which is very important when writing a biography about someone, especially when they are no longer alive to refute incorrect information.
An issue that books like this can run into is trying to be too politically neutral. I think this book did a good job fully explaining that segregation and racism are bad; there is no question about that and there should be no debating it.
Readers can tell that the author did much research and focused on historical accuracy, which is very important when writing a biography about someone, especially when they are no longer alive to refute incorrect information.
October 20, 2011
This is a biography about Rosa Parks. This book is intended for the readers ofthe primary and intermediate age groups.This book is very important as it teaches children about how Rosa Parks started the Civil Rights Movement to end Segragation. Rosa Parks is best known for failing to give up her seat on the bus to a white person and got assested for it. Rosa Parks won many awards including the spingarn medal and the presidential medal of freedom. The pictures are colorful and seem as if the artist drew them as he/she saw it happen. I would use this book when teaching about Civil Rights or Segragation. This would be appealing to children whose parents & grandparents lived through the Civil Rights Movement or Segragation.
April 22, 2020
I gave this book five stars because I liked how it was informational and yet flows like other story books. The book talks about important American history and the information given was accurate and important for children to know. I also really enjoyed the illustrations, they were extremely detailed.
A Picture Book of Rosa Parks tells the important story of Rosa Parks and her life as growing up in the United States as an African American during a very hard time period. It talks about Rosa and her family, all the way to where she refuses to give up her seat to a white person, to how her actions have led us to where we are now. Rosa had lived a very tough life, and I liked how this book was brutally honest. It didn't expose too much information to where a kid would see illustrations that were too gruesome, but it did give more information than other books I have read about Rosa Parks and I really liked it. The illustrations were extremely detailed and beautiful. There is one where it shows the photo of Rosa back on the bus after the case being taken and it looks almost identical. Absolutely loved this book.
A Picture Book of Rosa Parks tells the important story of Rosa Parks and her life as growing up in the United States as an African American during a very hard time period. It talks about Rosa and her family, all the way to where she refuses to give up her seat to a white person, to how her actions have led us to where we are now. Rosa had lived a very tough life, and I liked how this book was brutally honest. It didn't expose too much information to where a kid would see illustrations that were too gruesome, but it did give more information than other books I have read about Rosa Parks and I really liked it. The illustrations were extremely detailed and beautiful. There is one where it shows the photo of Rosa back on the bus after the case being taken and it looks almost identical. Absolutely loved this book.
May 26, 2017
This book is a biography of Rosa Park, the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement." This book is just as beautiful as the Martin Luther King, Jr. book, if not more so. The artist for the two books is the same. There are lots of good facts about Rosa Parks in here.
I liked this book. I never really knew a lot about Rosa Parks, except that she refused to give up her seat on a bus. I know much more about her, now. The illustrations in this book are simply beautiful! The pages with the white and black water fountains, and the one room schoolhouse are my favorites.
This book could be used for 2nd grade on up. It could be used for history, art or writing. For writing, it could be used to teach lower grades about biographies. For art, it could be used to teach upper grades about pencil drawings and watercolor.
I liked this book. I never really knew a lot about Rosa Parks, except that she refused to give up her seat on a bus. I know much more about her, now. The illustrations in this book are simply beautiful! The pages with the white and black water fountains, and the one room schoolhouse are my favorites.
This book could be used for 2nd grade on up. It could be used for history, art or writing. For writing, it could be used to teach lower grades about biographies. For art, it could be used to teach upper grades about pencil drawings and watercolor.
December 2, 2018
This is story about the life of Rosa Parks. This story tells about her as a child living in Alabama and goes on to tell the most famous part of her life. When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus. This book gives a good description of her life as a whole and how she got to the point where she refused to get up.
I really enjoyed reading this story of Rosa Parks. I feel like most books about her focus only on her bus boycott, that I never really even knew about her childhood. I like how this book tells about her childhood and how she grew up with segregation all around her.
A book I would connect this to is another book from the "A Picture Book of.." this is a great series with books about many exceptional people.
"While Rosa lived in Pine Level, the Ku Klux Klan, a band of hate-filled whites, was active there."
I really enjoyed reading this story of Rosa Parks. I feel like most books about her focus only on her bus boycott, that I never really even knew about her childhood. I like how this book tells about her childhood and how she grew up with segregation all around her.
A book I would connect this to is another book from the "A Picture Book of.." this is a great series with books about many exceptional people.
"While Rosa lived in Pine Level, the Ku Klux Klan, a band of hate-filled whites, was active there."
June 12, 2020
This book does a wonderful job of showing Rosa Park's life beyond her refusal to move on the bus. Because of this, I think it would be wonderful to use alongside a social studies class when learning about the civil rights movement. One activity I would have students do with the book is identifying the many ways Rosa Parks influenced the Civil Rights movement, other than her bus boycott. I would also have students analyze the discrimination shown in the book and how these negatively affected African Americans.
The media for the illustrations in this book are watercolor, which complements the realistic style of the book. The color pallet of the book is rather muted, as there aren't bright colors throughout the book. The colors are also on the neutral side because there isn't a large contrast between colors, this makes the illustrations feel realistic and historic.
The media for the illustrations in this book are watercolor, which complements the realistic style of the book. The color pallet of the book is rather muted, as there aren't bright colors throughout the book. The colors are also on the neutral side because there isn't a large contrast between colors, this makes the illustrations feel realistic and historic.
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April 30, 2024Intended audience.
This book is intended for children the ages of 3 and up.
Key Themes
this book talks about the civil rights movement and how a woman named Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a Caucasian man on the bus and she was arrested in 1955. Her civil disobedience started a yearlong bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama held by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Why I chose this book for my future library.
I chose this book for my future library because I want my future students to learn about their ancestors and the challenges that they faced being African American and told you couldn't go through the front door or sit in the back which led to Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat because she was tired of being treated unequal. This book can help my future students learn about their ancestors and how they fought for our equality today, and our right to vote and be free.
This book is intended for children the ages of 3 and up.
Key Themes
this book talks about the civil rights movement and how a woman named Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a Caucasian man on the bus and she was arrested in 1955. Her civil disobedience started a yearlong bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama held by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Why I chose this book for my future library.
I chose this book for my future library because I want my future students to learn about their ancestors and the challenges that they faced being African American and told you couldn't go through the front door or sit in the back which led to Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat because she was tired of being treated unequal. This book can help my future students learn about their ancestors and how they fought for our equality today, and our right to vote and be free.
November 21, 2018
Appropriate Grade Levels: Third-Fifth Grade
Summary: Rosa Parks was a black woman from Alabama. She refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white folk and faced the consequences. Rosa Parks' actions helped to establish the civil rights movement.
Review: The pictures in this book are very realistic! The author does a great job telling Rosa Parks' life story. The book is very detailed about the timeframe in which Rosa Parks lived and some language may require explanation.
In Class Use: This book can be used to go along with a history lesson about segregation, Jim Crow Laws, and/or the civil rights movement.
Summary: Rosa Parks was a black woman from Alabama. She refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white folk and faced the consequences. Rosa Parks' actions helped to establish the civil rights movement.
Review: The pictures in this book are very realistic! The author does a great job telling Rosa Parks' life story. The book is very detailed about the timeframe in which Rosa Parks lived and some language may require explanation.
In Class Use: This book can be used to go along with a history lesson about segregation, Jim Crow Laws, and/or the civil rights movement.
July 21, 2017
This book tells readers the life of Rosa Parks who is a civil rights activist who grew up under the father who is African-American activist, Raymond Parks. This book has lots of similarities with the book, the Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr as these are written by the same author with the common topic of civil rights movement and racism. In addition, this book is helpful to be used as an informational text when teaching segregation to children learners as it provides detailed information and explanation that are clear and true. The characters of this book give us the thoughts that how the activists during this time went through the difficult and tough lives to fight against the racial discrimination and unfair treatments.
November 24, 2019
1. Summary
This is a biography a Rosa Park. It tells about the important day that Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat. The book goes on to tell about how Rosa’s decisions led to the civil rights movement.
2. Review
This is a great resource to use when teaching about the civil rights movement. The illustrations support the meaning of the text. There are detailed facts for young readers to easily comprehend.
3.Connected Books
“I Am Rosa Parks” by Brad Meltzer
“Rosa” by Nikki Giovanni
4. Social Justice Issue
Racism
This is a biography a Rosa Park. It tells about the important day that Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat. The book goes on to tell about how Rosa’s decisions led to the civil rights movement.
2. Review
This is a great resource to use when teaching about the civil rights movement. The illustrations support the meaning of the text. There are detailed facts for young readers to easily comprehend.
3.Connected Books
“I Am Rosa Parks” by Brad Meltzer
“Rosa” by Nikki Giovanni
4. Social Justice Issue
Racism
July 19, 2021
This is a great choice for providing a glimpse at all of Rosa's life rather than just one day, one arrest. I appreciated the history it provided and gave context to the civil rights leader she became. We used this with a Unit Study on Alabama history. This book was excellent for details, timeline and a broad understanding of Rosa and the time which was helpful as our introduction book was Rosa by Nikki Giovanni was a more artistic book that conveyed more emotions of the Civil Rights period that Rosa helped to bring to light in December of 1955.
October 18, 2017
Using both text and illustration, the author walks readers through the life of Rosa Parks. He describes what life was like for people during Parks' time. The beautifully drawn illustrations help to move along the story. The story describes the racial tensions and inequalities among black and white people at the time, leading up to Parks' protest on the bus. It also describes her life after the protest and the lasting effect she had on Civil Rights.
December 2, 2018
This is a great book for story time. I learned a few new things about Rosa Parks, and feel it is a valuable picture of her entire life, not just her life from the time of arrest on. The book is honest about things, with key words. It is good for a social studies class, for teacher to read and students to analyze pictures. Older students may find it a quick infkrmational read. The illustrations are very meaningful and add supporting context.
April 22, 2019
Biography
3rd-5th grade
This was a very informational book on Rosa Parks and how she had a big impact in the civil rights movement of African Americans. I enjoyed how this book used the actual words of Martin Luther King’s exact words from one of his speeches, and felt that it emphasized the power of the civil rights movement that Rosa Parks was a part of.
3rd-5th grade
This was a very informational book on Rosa Parks and how she had a big impact in the civil rights movement of African Americans. I enjoyed how this book used the actual words of Martin Luther King’s exact words from one of his speeches, and felt that it emphasized the power of the civil rights movement that Rosa Parks was a part of.
January 28, 2021
This book about Rosa Parks I found very interesting. I love to read books based on a true story which this one is. It talked about how Rosa Parks grew up as well as all that she accomplished through her life. I enjoyed reading about her life when she grew up I did not know much about how she went to school when she was younger.
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November 28, 2021Biography
3rd grade reading level
I absolutely loved getting to go through this picture book! Although I already knew things about Rosa Parks, I was able to learn even more details about her and her fight for equality. This would be a great book to read in class as you can teach students about discrimination and the journey that people have had to go through to be where we are today.
3rd grade reading level
I absolutely loved getting to go through this picture book! Although I already knew things about Rosa Parks, I was able to learn even more details about her and her fight for equality. This would be a great book to read in class as you can teach students about discrimination and the journey that people have had to go through to be where we are today.
January 30, 2024
Rosa Parks, the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement, was a fascinating woman with an impactful life. Young readers will learn about her childhood, family life, and her actions to promote the Civil Rights Movement. The artwork was well done, and young readers will learn about Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement, including Martin Luther King, Jr, and the Montgomery bus boycott. A Picture Book of Rosa Parks is an informational and well-illustrated introduction for young readers.
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March 5, 2018Picture book
Tells the story of the civil rights movement in America and what African Americans stood up for. Pictures are great because they add a real image for students to see. Talks about what lead to her making a stand and other historic events.
Tells the story of the civil rights movement in America and what African Americans stood up for. Pictures are great because they add a real image for students to see. Talks about what lead to her making a stand and other historic events.
November 19, 2019
This book had amazing facts not only about Rosa Parks but also slavery! The illustrations looked old time like which added a great effect to the book. I also enjoyed fully hearing her story and how segregation slowly stopped taking place. I will definitely have this book in my future classroom!
August 19, 2019
A simple biography of the “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement” for early readers.
December 17, 2020
Well illustrated and written with a positive message of advocacy for civil rights and inclusion. It includes a historically acurate description of segregation and the KKK.
February 4, 2022
In honor of Rosa Parks' birthday, this book will teach students the importance of the civil rights movement in US history.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2022
The illustrations in this book are incredible!
October 7, 2024
This was a nice introduction for a young child that actually mentioned the NAACP It did not skew the story as many books about Rosa do.
October 18, 2016
I enjoyed this book. I normally hate biographies but this one was different. I'm not sure what made it that way...
March 3, 2017
This book is about Rosa Parks and her impact in the civil rights movement. She refused to give up her seat to a white individual and got in serious trouble for it.
I liked this book because it was historically accurate and gave me more insight into her life.
I would introduce this book to both my students and future children. This is important when talking about discrimination and the civil rights movement.
I liked this book because it was historically accurate and gave me more insight into her life.
I would introduce this book to both my students and future children. This is important when talking about discrimination and the civil rights movement.
February 17, 2017
A Picture Book of Rosa Parks (Picture Book Biographies) (Picture Book Biography)
by David A. Adler
a great comparison for the Rosa Parks lessons, Helps establish the events, but also shows some of the difficulties. It expresses the differences.
by David A. Adler
a great comparison for the Rosa Parks lessons, Helps establish the events, but also shows some of the difficulties. It expresses the differences.
March 19, 2021
Rosa Parks stood up for what was right even when she was arrested for such. She was brave and strong and we all should be like her, working to help each other and standing up for what we believe especially if others don't want you to.
March 5, 2020
This is a very well written book with wonderful pictures. It gives many details and the background of Rosa Parks life. It's written in a kid-friendly way, but still gives a lot of information.
Lexile: 880L
Guided Reading: M
Trait: Ideas
Lexile: 880L
Guided Reading: M
Trait: Ideas
February 10, 2017
Use in American Girl Program- Melody Ellison.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews