Ashley Bryan

Books by This Author

Ashley Bryan's ABC of African American Poetry

Age Level: 6-9
A range of poets introduce various aspects of African American history and culture. The alphabet is used as the device to introduce and organize the carefully selected poetry and stylized paintings to create an evocative whole.

Ashley Bryan's African Tales, Uh-huh

Age Level: 6-9

Tales drawn from the oral tradition are retold with verve and musical language certain to delight listeners of all ages. Bryan's paintings decorate each tale, bringing characters and plot vividly to life.

Ashley Bryan: Words to My Life's Song

"Well-loved illustrator Bryan's pictures and recollections tell of his lifelong devotion to making and sharing art. His Antiguan-born parents sang, kept birds and sheltered orphans; they showed him how to resist convention and survive defeat. Drawing every day, as a soldier during WWII he kept his art supplies in his gas mask…Bryan honed his skills, overcame racism and discouragement, and thrived throughout 20th-century tumult.

Beautiful Blackbird

Age Level: 3-6

In a story of the Ila people of Zambia, the colorful birds of Africa ask Blackbird, whom they think is the most beautiful of birds, to decorate them with some of his "blackening brew." The story line is simple and the rhythmic chants of the flock frequently interspersed throughout the text add drama and a rapper's cadence to this award-winning book that is ready-made for participative storytelling.

Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals

Age Level: 3-6

Three well known spirituals, "This Little Light of Mine," "When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," have been interpreted in vivid, jewel-toned illustrations and presented in a large format for a new generation. A bit of information about the songs' history as well as musical notation for each are included.

Sing to the Sun

Age Level: 3-6

Rhythmic, original poems combine lyrical, evocative language and gentle lessons in this attractively illustrated collection. Each original poem begs to be shared aloud and is sure to delight both reader and listener.