Robert Sengstacke Abbott: A Man, a Paper, and a Parade

by Susan Engle, Luthando Mazibuko (Illustrator)

An inspiring biography aimed at middle grade readers!

Robert Sengstacke Abbott (1870-1940) was an influential African American who was born in Georgia, eventually migrated north, and settled in Chicago. He studied law and founded the newspaper The Chicago Defender in 1905, one of the first newspapers written for the African American community. Through the newspaper Abbott strongly encouraged African American living in the South to move north, which he saw as a way to escape unjust Jim Crow laws for greater job and educational opportunities in northern states. Abbott was also instrumental in organizing the Bud Billiken Parade, a long-standing tradition in Chicago that has been held since 1929, supporting African-American culture, art, and music. Abbott became involved in the Bahá'í community late in his life, attracted to the teachings on religious and racial unity.

This is the first book in the newly launched Change Maker Series from Bellwood Press, highlighting people connected with the Bahá'í Faith who worked to bring about social change.

AUTHOR BIO

Susan Engle earned a BFA in Theater Arts from Denison University in 1972--which included an apprenticeship at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City--and began to work as a stage manager for the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra the following year. After her twin daughters were born in 1973, Susan began writing songs and poems for children. In partnership with friends and family, she published more than seventy over the years, including several award-winning music CDs such as 'Come and Sing' and 'Loving Hands' that were written especially for children and families. Since her retirement in 2017, Susan has been writing and publishing tiny books. She currently resides in West Lafayette, Indiana.

90 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 16, 2019

Reviews

[Lisa Blecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for all middle grade students to learn about this important hero from the early 1900's who worked tirelessly and against great odds towards bringing justice and equality to African Americans. Mr. Abbott's contributions and legacy continues to inspire and change the lives of so so many.

[Gigi Lorenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading the biography of Robert Sengstacke Abbot written by Susan Engle.
It’s an excellent story and it’s incredibly inspiring for all young and old readers alike.
So happy to learn more about events that changed the lives of so many people. I am looking forward to learning about many more game changers!

[Candace Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy to have finished up this great book by my friend, Susan Engle, the first of several African-American biographies for children that she has planned to write. Robert Sengstacke Abbott is a notable Chicagoan for sure, and all children should know about him as an early American journalist who served his community well.

[Tahira Ahmad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography introduces young readers to Robert Sengstacke Abbott, founder of the Chicago Defender, one of the most influential African American newspapers of the 20th century. Engle traces Abbott’s journey from his early life in Georgia to becoming a pioneering journalist who gave voice to Black communities during the Great Migration. The narrative is straightforward yet powerful, highlighting Abbott’s determination to fight injustice with the printed word and his role in inspiring countless African Americans to seek new opportunities in the North.
Mazibuko’s bold, vibrant illustrations bring Abbott’s story to life, capturing both historical detail and emotional depth. From bustling newsroom scenes to the jubilant Bud Billiken Parade—launched by Abbott’s newspaper as a celebration of Black youth—the artwork underscores the joy, pride, and resilience at the heart of Abbott’s vision.
Back matter includes a timeline, photographs, and additional resources, making this a useful tool for classroom discussions on history, journalism, and civil rights.
Verdict: An inspiring and accessible biography that sheds light on an important figure too often overlooked. A strong addition to elementary and middle grade collections, especially where African American history and journalism are curricular focuses.

[warren]

4th grade classroom library book review series:

3.5. on the whole this was very good, especially for Chicago kids! this tells the story of Abbott and the Chicago Defender newspaper that he founded, and the role the paper played in the abolitionist struggle. it also explains his founding of the Bud Biliken parade, which is named after the fictional kid editor of the Defender's youth section. learning about the youth section of the paper and the real 12-15 year olds who would write for it and edit it was amazing to me, and would be awesome to read about as a kid!

there are a couple good illustrations in here. while i learned a lot and would recommend it to kiddos in your life, i must take off some stars because 1. it managed to bring up the land of Palestine and called it "known today as the country of Israel" while discussing his Bahá'í faith, and 2. the strange inclusion and framing of the fact that Abbott once donated money to his father's enslaver in the south after the war. idk all the details of why he did that but regardless lets not teach the youth to bail out enslaver capitalists as a normal charitable thing to do lol.

genuinely glad i read it though, learned some valuable Chicago + abolitionist history!!