Neither a change in diet, the use of makeup, nor an attempt to erase her darkness changes her skin color or her feeling of self-worth. Trying to look more like her family and the people around her, Sulwe tries different remedies to change her appearance. Based on Nyong’o’s personal experiences, Sulwe is the story of a young girl who is uncomfortable with the darkness of her skin. In a recent interview, author Lupita Nyong’o described how as a child she was surrounded by people who looked like her, but she did not see herself in the books she read. Sulwe written by Lupita Nyong’o, illustrated by Vashti Harrison (Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers). She has received critical acclaim for many of her picture books, including a Caldecott Honor for Thank You, Omu! She is known for her colorful, patterned, collaged illustrations.
Illustrator Oge Mora grew up in Columbus, Ohio and now lives in Providence, Rhode Island. She lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee, where you can visit a historical marker at 3031 Wilcox Boulevard which commemorates Mary Walker’s amazing life story. One reader commented: “Photos on the endpapers brought students face-to-face with a real person and made the story more personal.”Īuthor Rita Lorraine Hubbard was a special educator for over twenty years and currently is a full-time children’s book author. They could not stop talking about the illustrations, especially noting how the squiggles turned into words. Oge Mora’s artwork rendered in acrylic paint, china marker, colored pencil, patterned paper, and book clippings fascinated the 4-6th graders. The book is not only outstanding for its story but also for its illustrations and book design. Department of Education certified that Mary was the nation’s oldest student.Īfter listening to the book, children realized how lucky they were to be able to read and were inspired to read more. Those squiggles she saw everywhere finally turned into words. At the age of 116, she realized her goal. Still determined to read, she joined a literacy class in her retirement home. At age 114, Mary had outlived her entire family. Mary had to work hard to support her family which left no time for reaching her life goal of learning to read her treasured Bible.
This picture book biography follows her life story from slavery to Emancipation to sharecropping and finally to supporting herself by cooking, cleaning, and babysitting. In 1964, at age 116, Mary Walker finally accomplished her dream of learning to read. The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read written by Rita Lorraine Hubbard, illustrated by Oge Mora, and published by Schwartz & Wade, 2020.
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