Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb

July 6, 2020
Chambers captures the essence of trailblazing advocate and politician Shirley Chisholm with a conversational narrative that highlights action words representative of the stateswoman. Declaring “verbs are words that move the world forward,” the picture book biography sets apart nearly 30 verbs with capitalized, aqua blue typeface (“Her actions PLANTED the seeds of possibility for others”). An accessible storytelling style uses short, direct sentences to recount that, before Chisholm became the first Black woman elected to Congress and made her 1972 bid to become the first Black and female presidential candidate, she was the daughter of immigrants and a voracious reader, teacher, and organizer. Baker, in her picture book debut, employs realistic digital illustrations to show Chisholm both smiling and serious, her jaw often resolutely set. One spread depicts current female lawmakers for whom Chisholm paved the way. An upbeat story of a dynamic pioneer whose tenacity and courage continue to inspire. Ages 4–8.