Flying Free - (A Sweet Blackberry Book) by Karyn Parsons (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The story of Bessie Coleman, the first African American woman to earn her pilot's license"--

Book Synopsis

Based on Karyn Parson's critically acclaimed Sweet Blackberry video series comes the story of Bessie Coleman, the first African American pilot to fight for her right to fly.

Before Bessie Coleman blazed a high trail with her plane . . . Before she performed in death-defying flying shows that would earn her fame as "Queen Bess" . . . Before she traveled the country speaking out against discrimination, Bessie was a little girl with a big imagination that took her to the sky, through the clouds, and past the birds. Knocking down barriers one by one, Bessie endured racism and grueling training to become the first black female pilot and an inspiration to Mae Jemison, Josephine Baker, and many more influential people of color for years to come.

Don't miss the remarkable story of Garrett Morgan in Saving the Day: Garrett Morgan's Life-Changing Invention of the Traffic Signal!

Review Quotes

Praise for Saving the Day:

* "The story of Morgan's accomplishments is entertaining and informative. A fine contribution to African American creative nonfiction for young readers." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review


"[A] worthy introduction."--Booklist

"[R. Gregory] Christie's stylized illustrations bring life to Coleman's trailblazing achievements."

--Publishers Weekly

"A nice biography of a trailblazer who broke a glass ceiling in aviation for women, and for people of color."

--School Library Journal

About the Author

Karyn Parsons is best known for her role as Will Smith's cousin Hilary Banks on NBC's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. After leaving acting behind, Karyn has gone on to found and produce Sweet Blackberry, an award-winning series of children's animated films, to share stories about unsung Black heroes in history, featuring narration from stars such as Alfre Woodard, Queen Latifah, and Chris Rock. The videos have been screened on HBO and Netflix, and enjoyed by schools and libraries across the country. She is the author of Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman's Dreams Took Flight, How High the Moon, and Saving the Day. Karyn lives with her family in Providence, Rhode Island.

R. Gregory Christie is a Caldecott Honor Winner, a six-time recipient of a Coretta Scott King Award Honor, a two-time winner of the New York Times 10 Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year (2000 and 2002), a winner of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for illustration, and a recipient of the NAACP's Image Award. When he's not illustrating books, he operates GAS-ART GIFTS, a children's bookstore with autographed copies in Decatur, Georgia.