Madam C.J. Walker Builds a Business

November 4, 2019
This first chapter book from Rebel Girls profiles the first female self-made millionaire, Sarah Breedlove (1867–1919), the mastermind behind the Madame C.J. Walker empire and leading voice in support of natural hair care for black women. The story begins with Breedlove’s childhood; she was the first in her family not born into slavery and to attend school. As a widowed single mother, she meets Annie Turnbo, creator of the “Wonderful Hair Grower” shampoo, which transforms her life and eventually inspires her own creation: “Madame C.J. Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower.” Full-color illustrations by debut illustrator Perera highlight seminal scenes from Breedlove’s life and further humanize the historical figure. Rooted in fact, this lightly fictionalized account gives readers an opportunity to connect with Breedlove as a storied individual whose entrepreneurial prowess and support of black women continues to impact people today. A closing activity encourages readers to imagine their own unique product, with accompanying advertising and elevator pitch. Also available: Ada Lovelace. Ages 6–9.

October 15, 2019
A novel for young readers that celebrates the life of bold, black self-made millionaire Madam C.J. Walker. Sarah Breedlove is the first child born in her family after slavery, but she is orphaned at 8. After living with her older sister and unkind brother-in-law, Sarah decides to take her future into her own hands. At 14, she marries Moses, a man she meets at church, and together they have a little girl, Lelia. Moses is lynched when Sarah is 20, and she decides to leave the Deep South, settling in St. Louis and then Denver. Although mentions of hair are threaded throughout the quick-moving tale, Sarah does not begin working with hair-care products until years later, when she enters the upper echelon of black society. Readers will learn about the sensitive topic of black women's hair, the lesser-known Annie Turnbo's important role in encouraging natural hair, and Sarah's brilliant business savvy and determination. No one can deny that when barriers stood strong for both women and blacks, Sarah stood firm in rising to meet those challenges and providing opportunities to blacks. Bright, matte illustrations, dominated by deep greens, brick reds, and rich browns, appear every few pages and extend the book's message. Ada Lovelace Cracks the Code publishes simultaneously, and both books have several pages of activities in the backmatter. An inspiring story for any young girl waiting to make her mark on society. (Historical fiction. 8-12)

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