Carmella Van Vleet – författare

'Creeeeak!' goes the screen door to self-taught artist Elijah Pierce's barbershop art studio. A young boy walks in for an ordinary haircut and walks out having discovered a lifetime of art. Mr. Pierce's wood carvings are in every corner of the small studio. There are animals, scenes from his life, and those detailing the socio-political world around him. It's this collection of work that will eventually win Elijah the National Heritage Fellowship in 1982 just two years before his death. But the young boy visiting the shop in the 1970s doesn't know that yet. All he knows is: 'You gotta meet Mr. Pierce!' Based on the true story of Elijah Pierce and his community barber shop in Columbus, Ohio, this picture book includes cleverly collaged museum-sourced photos of his art and informative backmatter about his life. With engaging text by Pierce to the Soul! playwright Chiquita Mullins-Lee and Christopher Award-winning author Carmella Van Vleet, it's illustrated with striking Japanese woodblock by Jennifer Mack-Watkins. A new addition to vital Black art history!

Inspire the next Emily Dickinson! These workshops will help younger students develop their passion for the written word and expand their writing ability. Meant for use throughout the entire school year, the workshops steadily become more thought-provoking as students are challenged to increase their skills.Grades 2-5

Improve your students' writing skills to meet state benchmarks and standards with these eight writing workshops designed especially for students in kindergarten through second grade.