Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb - by Veronica Chambers (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A picture book biography celebrating the life and contributions of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in Congress, who sought the Democratic nomination to be the president of the United States"--

Book Synopsis

A timely picture book biography about Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in Congress, who sought the Democratic nomination to be the president of the United States.

Shirley Chisholm famously said, "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." This dynamic biography illuminates how Chisholm was a doer, an active and vocal participant in our nation's democracy, and a force to be reckoned with. Now young readers will learn about her early years, her time in Congress, her presidential bid and how her actions left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire, uplift, and instruct.

Review Quotes

RISE: A Feminist Book Project List selection
Read Aloud Indiana Reading List selection
Louisiana Readers' Choice nominee
Texas Topaz Reading List unanimous selection

"On almost every page, verbs such as speak, improve, listen, create, and do, in teal capital letters, pop against a white background, illuminating the vision and drive of this woman who pushed against and cracked glass ceilings. Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb! succeeds as an inspirational exploration of what it means to be a true woman of action."--New York Times Book Review

"An upbeat story of a dynamic pioneer whose tenacity and courage continue to inspire."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Veronica Chambers is the award-winning author of many books for children and adults, including Mama's Girl and Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa. Born in Panama, she grew up in Brooklyn, where she remembers walking to school and seeing Shirley Chisholm for Congress posters all around her neighborhood. She has been a senior editor at the New York Times Magazine, Newsweek, and Glamour, and is currently the editor of Past Tense, the New York Times archival storytelling initiative devoted to publishing articles based on photographs recently rediscovered from its archives.

Rachelle Baker is a multi-disciplinary artist from Detroit, Michigan, with a background in relief printing, illustration, comic art, video art, and music. Her work can be seen in The New York Times and will appear in the book Making our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream by Blair Imani, to be published by Ten Speed Press in January. This is her first fully illustrated picture book.