Dinner at Aunt Connie's House

by Faith Ringgold

For Melody the best thing about summertime was going to family dinners at Aunt Connie and Uncle Bate's big house on the beach. This summer, Aunt Connie, an artist, has several surprises for the family. One is that she and Uncle Bates have adopted a son, Lonnie, whose green eyes and red hair instantly captivate Melody.

While Melody and Lonnie are playing hide-and-seek, they hear strange voices coming from the attic, and there they find Aunt Connie's other surprise. She has painted twelve beautiful portraits of famous African-American women--and the paintings can speak! Melody and Lonnie are at first amazed but are soon profoundly inspired as the women talk to them about their courageous lives.

Faith Ringgold's powerful story and vibrant art underscore the magic of this special moment in Melody's and Lonnie's life as they discover in a new way how proud they are to be African Americans. Cover excerpt, Dinner at Aunt Connie's House by Faith Ringgold, Hyperion Press, New York 1993.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Childrens, African American, Art, Family, Summer

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1993

Reviews

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

___ calling my name. Sorry, but I'm hungryy..

[Dena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading Level: Gradess 3-5
Melody (grade school aged) and her family go to Aunt Connie and Uncle Bate's house on the beach every summer. On this occasion, Melody meets Lonnie, their newly adopted son and while playing, they stumble upon Aunt Connies new paintings. As they admire the 12 portraits of famous African-American women, the portraits literally speak to them and tell the stories of their lives. The illustrations are colorful and set the stage for the story. The idea of this story intrigued me but I was left disappointed. It contains great information about these courageous womes but as they talk it sounds more like a non-fiction history book or lesson. There is no voice in their words so the story falls flat. In addition their is this whole other story about the adopted son and Melody that never develops well. It could be used in the classroom to admire the beautiful atrwork and learn a little about these famous women in history!

[Robert Leabo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dinner at Aunt Connie’s house, by Faith Ringgold. Published by Scholastic in 1996. 32 pages. 5 stars.
2nd and 3rd grade. Lexile: 640 L; G.R: M


A young Faith has dinner at her aunt’s house where she runs into paintings of famous African American women who talk to her. The paintings join the family for dinner.

We’ll study history, who these women were and African American history and culture in this country. It’s a perfect supplement to a social studies/ US history project / famous people thematic unit. Informational text, of course, will be added to the unit and co- taught with the book. This can be used a spring board for students to research additional famous people and their contributions to society as well.
This can also be used as a thematic unit/ author study of Ringgold so the books can be compared and contrasted.

3.RL.9 Compare and contrast the themes, settings, and plots of stories written by the same author about the same or similar characters (e.g. in a book from a series)
3.W.2 Write informative / explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
3.W.7 Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.

[Rachel Denny]

Title: Dinner at Aunt Connie’s House
Author: Faith Ringgold
Genre: Biography
Theme(s): History, Women
Opening line/sentence: My aunt Connie is a great artist.
Brief Book Summary: When it’s time to Visit Aunt Connie, Lonnie and Melody find a fun surprise in the attic that showcases several important women in history.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1: Annie (BookHive (www.bookhive.org))
Are you hungry?! Then let's join Lonnie, Melody, and the rest of the Bates family for Dinner at Aunt Connie's House . Not only does she have a great dinner planned, but she has some surprises in store as well. You can discover those surprises along with Lonnie and Melody as they play in the attic. Faith Ringgold's Dinner at Aunt Connie's House is not only a treat for the tummy, but for the mind as well. Bon Appetite! Category: African-American; Historical; Multicultural; Read Aloud. Grade Level: Primary (K-3rd grade); Intermediate (4th-6th grade); Adult/Parent. 1993, Hyperion Books for Children. Ages 5 to 12.
(PUBLISHER: Hyperion Books for Children (New York:), PUBLISHED: c1993.)
Professional Recommendation/Review #2: Deborah Zink (Children's Literature)
How magical and thrilling to arrive at Aunt Connnie's house to find a new cousin to play with and an attic full of resplendent paintings. Ah, but there's more; the paintings talk, recounting their true and diverse stories. A full dozen African-American women come alive to explain their place in history. Caldecott winner Faith Ringgold has created this wondrous book for children based on her famous painted story quilt: TheDinner Quilt. The pages resonate with rich colors and inspirational testimony. Remarkable choice for a lively introduction to the vast contributions of African American women in history. 1993, Hyperion Books, $14.95, $14.89 and $4.95. Ages 5 to 9. (PUBLISHER: Hyperion Books for Children (New York:), PUBLISHED: c1993.)
Response to Two Professional Reviews: I think the second review is much more appropriate for this book. The two reviews greatly differ in the age range they believe this book fits with, but other than that I think they highlight some great things in this biographical text.
Evaluation of Literary Elements: There is a lot of dialogue in this book. The paintings talk and describe their life and historical importance, which is personification. The images in the story are colorful and really set the tone for the story.
Consideration of Instructional Application: This book sets up nicely for a biography unit. The students will choose someone mentioned in the book or come up with their own person to research and write a biography on.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not believe that I have not given this book a review. As per usual, I love Faith Ringgold who I believe is an amazing illustrator and brings a lot of culture and information for children. In this book, Melody travels every year to Aunt Connie's house with her parents and when she visits Aunt Connie always showcases her paintings for the family to showcase what is the current theme in her life. For this occasion, Aunt Connie painted twelve portraits of African Women who helped changed the course of history and make an impact in our society and to the civil rights movement.

I have to admit and say that this book informed me a lot of women who I have never heard of in my life and yet made a huge impact whether it was in the 20th century or in the 19th century. I was shocked that these certain individuals were never taught in school and it goes to show you that we only learn about the basics of civil rights like Rosa Parks, and Dr. King which is great do not get me wrong but what about the first Black women who fought and protested for Women's rights? The ones who fought all through their life only a whole century late to witness all that has happened in the 20th century.

Even though it is a children's book, I was very entertained and well-informed about our nation's past and I hope as time progresses that we as individuals become more open minded and help create a better tomorrow. I highly recommend it for those who was a simple story and to inform children especially girls that anyone regardless of sex and color can change the world!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a visit to Aunt Connie's house, Melody meets her newly adopted cousin Lonnie, who like her is African American but has red hair and green eyes. While playing hide and seek, Melody and Lonnie hear voices coming from the attic. Upon further inspection, they find that it is Aunt Connie's paintings that are speaking to them. There are twelve portraits of famous, courageous women such as Rosa Parks, Dorothy Dandridge, Bessie Smith, and Sorjourner Truth. Their stories are captivating and Melody and Lonnie dream of a future where they can be anything they want.

The paintings are brought to the dining room where the women step out of their portraits and join the family dinner. Rosa Parks tells the children that Aunt Connie has created the paintings to tell the history of their struggles. What a wonderful way to have a meaningful discussion at the dinner table. This is a great book to begin discussions about diversity and civil rights. Faith Ringgold "added this element of magic to commemorate the courage, vision, and creativity of women who have made great contributions to American history but have been largely unknown." Ringgold (1993)

Dinner at Aunt Connie's House began as a story quilt. Ringgold combines painting, quilted fabric, and storytelling. Her characters come from her life and the people she has known. She uses folk art and rich colors to bring her characters to life.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every summer, Melodies family goes to her aunt Connie’s house on the beach for dinner. The family enjoys spending time with each other, playing on the beach, and eating a delicious dinner with good company. Melody and her adopted cousin Lonnie go exploring through the house and find many of Connie’s paintings. Little did they know, the paintings are not just paintings, but they can talk! Connie’s paintings are of historically important African American woman, such as Sojourner Truth and Rosa Parks. Each page that talks about one of the paintings has a huge picture of the woman being talked about on the page, along with an illustration of Lonnie and Melody. The illustrations are colorful and look like they are painted illustrations.
Response: I think this book can be used as a great teaching tool. The book combines historical fiction along with fantasy. The cousins are on an adventure and the pictures come alive to them! The book shows how important historical figures are and it helps younger students learn about history in a new way.
Classroom Connection:
I would probably use this book during February, Black History month. I would relate this book to a history lesson for the students. After we were done reading the book, I would have the students journal about one of the women in the book and what impression she made on them.

CCSS:
Grade level: 5.8 Lexile: 640 GR:M

[Maribel Galvez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grade/interest level: Primary (K-2)
Reading level: 5.8 (Lexile 640L)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy

Main Characters: Melody, Lonnie, Aunt Connie
Setting: Aunt Connie’s House in Sag Harbor, Long Island
POV: Melody

Every summer, Melody’s family is invited to dinner at Aunt Connie’s house on the beach. Not only does the family come for dinner, but also to see Aunt Connie’s artwork because she is an artist. Melody is also excited to see Lonnie, her aunt and uncle’s adopted son. Melody is in love with Lonnie because she’s never seen anyone like him because is a black boy with red hair and green eyes. While their families relax on the beach before dinner, Melody and Lonnie go in the house to play hide-and-seek. Melody hears noises in the attic and thinks it’s Lonnie, but he is right behind her. In the attic, they discover Aunt Connie’s paintings who can actually speak. Twelve paintings of famous African-American women introduce themselves to Melody and Lonnie and describe their contributions that made history. Melody and Connie realize they are very proud to be African-American.

I would use this book to introduce students to famous African-American women like Rosa Parks, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman alongside a civil rights unit.

[Arielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grade/interest level: Primary (K-2)
Reading level: 5.8 (Lexile 640L)
Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy

Main Characters: Melody, Lonnie, Aunt Connie
Setting: Aunt Connie’s House in Sag Harbor, Long Island
POV: Melody

Dinner at aunt Connie’s house is an amazing book that brings African American female leaders to life. Aunt Connie’s family comes to visit her every summer, but this summer will be much different. This summer Melody will meet her new addition to the family, Lonnie. Lonnie is Aunt Connie’s new adopted son. As Melody and Lonnie explore Aunt Connie’s house they find out her secret. Her paintings talk. Through these painting Lonnie and Melody learn about black history. Some of the painting that talk to Lonnie and Melody on their exploration include Rosa Parks, Mary McLeod Bethune, Dorothy Dandridge, Bessie Smith, and Sojourner Truth among many others.

I would defiantly use this book with a civil rights unit, or maybe a read aloud during Black heritage month. I enjoyed this book and I believe it can teach my students about many of the African American female leaders including Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Madame C.J. Walker, Dorothy Dandridge Among many others.

[Jazmin Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story simply because of its uniqueness. This is a mystical biographical children's book that takes place around the time of dinner at the home of the main character's Aunt's house. Before going to dinner the main character gets the opportunity with her cousin to talk to some activist, leaders, and inspirational African American women from the past. These women are separate paintings on the wall in her Aunt's house, but they come to life and are able to talk in order to share their stories. This is a great way to share an interesting and appealing story to young readers about historical facts that they can learn from. The combination of fiction and nonfiction in this book is a perfect combo that benefits both teachers and students. Students get the imagination and creativity that they love out of the book, and adults get the facts. The message of empowering black women given at the end of the story is so inspirational. I love the combination of a regular story turning into 12 different African American female biographies and ending with a closing message to make anyone feel loved, respected, and important. I love this book!

[Chanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinner at Aunt Connie's House by Faith Ringgold is a great book to read to students to introduce prolific African American females who have made a difference in the African American community and the world as a whole. This story provides things for children to think about and consider when they become ungrateful about a situation. The plot is rich and engages the reader. The illustrations match the text, however they are not that creative and appealing. On the other hand, they are colorful, but do not add much to the story. The characters represent multiple cultural groups, however, the reader is not exposed to various values and morals of different cultures. The author identifies with the cultural group presented which adds an insider perspective. I like how twelve different African American women were introduced and how they all shared their stories. I even learned about some influential African American women that I did not know much about.

[Chanelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dinner at Aunt Connie's House is a great story about a boy and a girl who talk with some of the great African American women who made a difference in the United States. Their aunt Connie is a painter and she painted several paintings of these women that she wanted to share with her family. While the children were playing they heard someone talking and figured out that the paintings actually told them their story and their significance. I think a great activity would be to do a study on influential women from different cultures. You can have them do a fun project such as dress up, have them bring in examples of what they invented, or act out something they learned about their person. Of course there will have to be some influential males brought into the room.

[Mary Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dinner at Aunt Connies House is a nice book about African American women in history. Melody goes to visit her Aunt and Uncle and she ends up finding great treasures in the attic. As walks along the wall of paintings, they come alive and talk to her. The women tell her about themselves and all the wonderful things they have done throughout history. This is a nice book to introduce young children to historical African American Women. This can be used as an introduction in the classroom and then the teacher can have children pick one of the women and write a report. They can use the book as a tool to guide them as to who they would like to research.

[Jessica McDaniel]

This story is about a little girl going to her Aunt Connie's house and discovering her aunts paintings of famous historical women who changed history. These women talk to the little girl and explain a little about how they contributed to history. This story relates to my topic because it talks about women who have done great things and shows other African American women that they too can do great things. This story's illustrations helps move along the text. This story also teaches children about different historical figures and allows us to have discussion and ask questions about them.

[Kia Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love any book that covers African-American history! Faith Ringgold did just that covering some memorable African American female heroins. We checked this out for 1st grader, Ella, but 4th grader, Olivia, loved reading this book just as much. This would be an excellent book to read before students had to make a chose for a biography project. And all of the illustrations were bright and colorful, the way I imagine Faith Ringgold's own home to be.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fiction and informational. I think this book is great for teaching children ages 6-10 about some of the most powerful African American pioneers in history. I really like how there is a story line in between the information given. The children in this book get to hear from the paintings of these women to learn about their accomplishments. It is very creative and takes the reader/listeners back in time by allowing the paintings to speak in first person. Awesome!

[April Scheivelhud · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book where a child was invited to Aunt Connie's house. The paintings in this house came to life. She was able to learn a little bit about a lot of different famous people from the civil rights movement from MLK Jr. to Harriet Tubman. Very interesting book. Great introduction to this historical time period.

[Jenna]

This was a great story about different african american heroes. We read this as a class during black history month and it really grabbed the kids attention with the abstract paintings/illustrations. I like this story becuase it gives facts about civil war activists but in a fun memorable way. I read this story and then we were able to talk about the things we learned at the end.

[Rima Halig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book that includes mini bios of prominant African Americans. Perfect selection to read to inform students about African American history.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really love the work of Faith Ringgold and making African American history available to kids

[Lesley Looper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting combination of family time, art, African American history, and fantasy in this children's book. I enjoyed the illustrations, and learned a little more about famous African Americans.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dinner at Aunt Connie's House
Ringgold, Faith
learning about black women in american history and how they affected and helped society, and people through out american history

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holiday: Black history month

[WriteTheVision · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly, the illustrations aren't that great, but the story itself is educational. I don't think anyone can go wrong learning about prolific African American women.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten thousand stars

[Michelle Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great family book of a family's experience of a family gathering. Book also told a story of history and facts. Pictures are rich and deep in color. LOVED THIS BOOK.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fan of "The Dinner Quilt" I could not resist reading the book it inspired, and it lived up to expectation.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous book that teaches about the lives of important Black women through art. It would be incredible to teach children about the women who paved the way for the future.

[Cecile · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important book; I'd give it 3.5 stars because I do not care for the style of illustration but the message is important.

[Faloni © · Rating 5 out of 5]

👋 Dinner at Aunt Connie's House by Faith Ringgold 👏💸 My Bestfriend, always there for me, always been there for me. 🙏🥳💖🎉🥳💖Freedom is always worth celebrating, one is one; two is two. KEEP IT CIVIL . Boo 👻😉

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