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I make it a regular habit of borrowing children’s books by the bushel for my daughter to read every week. She loves sorting through the pile when I bring them home. It gives her  a small Christmas every week.

Last week was the announcement of the 2009 Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal awards. Of course, I borrowed as many as possible from the list of winners and nominees. One book in particular, however, caught my eye because of its illustrations: “We are the Ship” by Kadir Nelson. The book tells the story of Negro League Baseball and while you may find it in the children’s section of your library, this really is a well-researched, moving piece of literature that  should be read by everyone, especially since February is Black History Month.

Nelson’s illustrations are stunning. Nelson conveys an incredible sense of mood and moment of the time. These illustrations can hang in any art gallery and easily draw in a crowd. In fact, I’d love to have a few pieces in my home. You can view and purchase some of the illustrations on Nelson’s site, www.kadirnelson.com. 

The next time you are at your local library or bookstore, pick up this book and crack it open. You will catch your breath like a fastball pitched from Smokey Joe Williams. Cue Reading Rainbow theme.