Super Star Children's Book Reviews: Shirley Chisholm Is A Verb

Welcome to the monthly children’s book review feature with a focus on diverse books here at Bird Meets Worm! My team of reviewers—Joan Charles, Laurie L. Young, Sarah Orgill—and I are so excited to be championing books celebrating everything from gender diversity, people of color, the LGBTQ community to ethnic, cultural and religious minorities, people with disabilities and developmental challenges to controversial topics, unique family situations and anything and everything I did not include. It is to say we take a rightfully broad view of diversity! We aim to shine a light on books that bring both familiar experiences to those who do not often see themselves represented in books and new experiences to those looking to expand their worldview. Here at Bird Meets Worm we believe in the power of story to build empathy and thus a better world for you and me and everyone. Look for a new review on the second Wednesday of every month.

                    

SHIRLEY CHISHOLM IS A VERB!
By Veronica Chambers • Illustrated by Rachelle Baker • Design by Jennifer Kelly
Non-Fiction Picture Book (ages 4-8) • 40 pages
Published by Dial BFYR • 2020
ISBN 978-0-8037-3089-2

Verbs are action words. And a perfect device to describe the life of Shirley Chisholm.

CONNECT. SPEAK. ORGANIZE. LISTEN. CHALLENGE. Shirley Chisholm knew that words have power. She chose her verbs carefully and used them to create change. The author’s decision to call out certain verbs heightens the accomplishments of her subject, and the warmth in which she relates them to key moments, draws the reader in, enhancing this energetic biography.

Shirley called herself “Fighting Shirley Chisholm.” Those words propelled her from an early career as a nursery school teacher to her days in Congress to eventually becoming the first Black person, and the first woman, to run for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. Her campaign paved the way for Geraldine Ferraro, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Kamala Harris to run for the highest offices in the country.

The text is sprinkled with actual quotes from Ms. Chisholm including the often repeated, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” The book ends with a call-out to the reader to choose the verbs that will INSPIRE their own actions and move the world forward.

Rachelle Baker’s flat, graphic-style art brings each scenario to life, aptly showing the real woman who was a real-world superhero.

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Reviewed by: Laurie L. Young