By Esther Callens
Award winning poet and author Nikki Grimes has penned a wonderful, adventurous children tale based upon the lives of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony. Chasing Freedom, Grimes’ narrative, uses historical fact to explore the worlds of these two iconic women. With rich illustrations by Michele Wood, Chasing Freedom will surely expand young imaginations beyond limits.
The importance of education cannot be stressed enough as it is the foundation that great leaders are built upon. Likewise, a bright future is often the results of a past learned lesson. Keeping the aforementioned in mind, children are born curious and training at an early age guarantees success academically. One area that is a proven vital learning tool for preschoolers is story time as it is imperative in developing speech and concentration skills. This is one of the many areas where Nikki Grimes’ book is essential.
Chasing Freedom presents a wonderful way to introduce little ones’ minds to historical figures of importance. Grimes, realizing that not enough can be said about the many contributions of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony, has penned a marvelous fictional account of their many accomplishments. Written in a form where it is easy for young minds to understand thereby piquing their interest, Chasing Freedom gives a fictitious account of the Underground Railroad, The Women’s Suffrage Movement and the Civil War. Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Captain John Brown and President Abraham Lincoln are just a few people of importance that the youths are introduced to. Nikki Grimes has brilliantly written a book perfect for 4-8 years of age. She aptly understands the concept of early education and embraces/enforces it.
Nikki Grimes is the author of Words With Wings, Talkin’ About Bessie, Jazmin’s Notebook, Dark Sons and The Road To Paris – all of which are Coretta Scott King Honor books. She is also the recipient of the 2006 National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. She makes Corona, California home.
Michele Wood is the winner of the American Book Award (Going Back Home) and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award (I See Rhythm). She makes Atlanta, Georgia home.
