Picture book biographies introduce children to Toni Morrison and Ruby Bridges

NPR's Book of the Day

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Books, Arts

4.2 • 672 Ratings

🗓️ 7 March 2025

⏱️ 17 minutes

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Summary

Two biographical picture books introduce children to the life stories of writer Toni Morrison and civil rights activist Ruby Bridges. First, Andrea Davis Pinkney initially encountered Morrison's work as a child. But later, she became the editor of Morrison's children's books. Now, Pinkney is out with And She Was Loved, a picture book about Morrison's life. In today's episode, the author talks with Here & Now's Lisa Mullins about her decision to write the book in the form of a poem and love letter, Morrison's upbringing in the oral tradition, and how Pinkney approached her editing role. Then, Ruby Bridges tells her own story in an autobiographical picture book. In I Am Ruby Bridges, she recounts her experience as the first Black child to desegregate an all white school in 1960. In today's episode, she joins NPR's Mary Louise Kelly for a conversation about the book. They discuss what that first day of school looked like through a six-year-old's eyes – and the way white parents responded.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, it's I'm Pierre's book of the day. I'm Andrew Limbaugh, and we're wrapping up this week of
0:06.6	women writers on the pod with two biographical picture books for kids. In a bit, we'll hear from
0:11.8	Ruby Bridges herself about telling her story of integrating a segregated school through the eyes of a
0:17.8	six-year-old. But first, and she was loved as a picture book about the life of the legendary writer Tony
0:23.9	Morrison.
0:24.6	It's written by Andrea Davis Pinckney, who actually knew Tony Morrison and edited Morrison's
0:30.2	children's books.
0:31.3	Now, if you're up on your literary history, you might know that Morrison worked in the
0:36.2	publishing industry as an editor.
0:38.6	And Pigny spoke with here as Lisa Mullins about what it was like editing, one of the great
0:43.7	writer editors of our time.
0:45.9	That's coming up.
0:47.2	In the U.S., national security news can feel far away from daily life.
0:52.0	Distant wars, murky conflicts, diplomacy behind closed doors.
0:56.6	On our new show, Sources and Methods. NPR reporters on the ground bring you stories of real people
1:02.0	helping you understand why distant events matter here at home. Listen to sources and methods on the NPR app or wherever you get your podcasts.
1:11.9	Author Andrea Davis Pinckney was just a child when the writings of Tony Morrison came into her life.
1:18.4	Pinckney had struggled in school with a classroom reading list full of books that fell disconnected from her experience as a young black girl.
1:26.1	But Tony Morrison's books were different.
1:28.7	To her, they were the glistening key
1:30.8	that unlocked her soul and helped her feel understood.
1:34.4	Well, Pinkney grew from that young reader
	...

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