Few figures have inspired as much respect or admiration as Nelson Mandela. From his childhood in the South African countryside, to his election as the first black president in South Africa's history, Mandela's extra-ordinary life is a story of courage, persistence, hope and belief. Celebrated author/artist Floyd Cooper delivers "a forceful, credible picture of a strong and deeply devoted statesman" (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
When Floyd Cooper discovered children's book illustrating, he found a way to complement his career in advertising. An apprentice of Mark English, Mr. Cooper began his freelance career while still a student at the University of Oklahoma. After graduating, he made his way to Missouri, where he secured a position at a greeting card company.
Although Mr. Cooper was established in his position there, he felt somewhat stifled. He lacked the freedom and opportunity for spontaneity that he longed for as an artist and the joy that could be found in doing something that he loved.
Determined to break out of the mundane cycle he found himself in, Mr. Cooper relocated to the East Coast in 1984 to pursue his career further. It was there that he discovered the world of children's book illustrating and was amazed by the opportunities for creativity it afforded. Mr. Cooper was energized. The first book he illustrated, Grandpa's Face, captivated reviewers. Publishers Weekly said of newcomer Floyd Cooper's work, "Cooper, in his first picture book, creates family scenes of extraordinary illumination. He reinforces in the pictures the feelings of warmth and affection that exist between generations."
Illustrating children's books is very important to Mr. Cooper. He says, "I feel children are at the frontline in improving society. This might sound a little heavy, but it's true. I feel children's picture books play a role in counteracting all the violence and other negative images conveyed in the media."
Floyd Cooper resides in New Jersey with his wife, Velma, and their two sons.
copyright © 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.
Few figures have inspired as much respect or admiration as Nelson Mandela. From his childhood in the South African countryside, to his election as the first black president in South Africa's history, Mandela's extra-ordinary life is a story of courage, persistence, hope and belief. Celebrated author/artist Floyd Cooper delivers "a forceful, credible picture of a strong and deeply devoted statesman" (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
When Floyd Cooper discovered children's book illustrating, he found a way to complement his career in advertising. An apprentice of Mark English, Mr. Cooper began his freelance career while still a student at the University of Oklahoma. After graduating, he made his way to Missouri, where he secured a position at a greeting card company.
Although Mr. Cooper was established in his position there, he felt somewhat stifled. He lacked the freedom and opportunity for spontaneity that he longed for as an artist and the joy that could be found in doing something that he loved.
Determined to break out of the mundane cycle he found himself in, Mr. Cooper relocated to the East Coast in 1984 to pursue his career further. It was there that he discovered the world of children's book illustrating and was amazed by the opportunities for creativity it afforded. Mr. Cooper was energized. The first book he illustrated, Grandpa's Face, captivated reviewers. Publishers Weekly said of newcomer Floyd Cooper's work, "Cooper, in his first picture book, creates family scenes of extraordinary illumination. He reinforces in the pictures the feelings of warmth and affection that exist between generations."
Illustrating children's books is very important to Mr. Cooper. He says, "I feel children are at the frontline in improving society. This might sound a little heavy, but it's true. I feel children's picture books play a role in counteracting all the violence and other negative images conveyed in the media."
Floyd Cooper resides in New Jersey with his wife, Velma, and their two sons.
copyright © 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.
IN
When Floyd Cooper discovered children's book illustrating, he found
a way to complement his career in advertising. An apprentice of
Mark English, Mr. Cooper began his freelance career while still a
student at the University of Oklahoma. After graduating, he made
his way to Missouri, where he secured a position at a greeting card
company.
Although Mr. Cooper was established in his position there, he felt
somewhat stifled. He lacked the freedom and opportunity for
spontaneity that he longed for as an artist and the joy that could
be found in doing something that he loved.
Determined to break out of the mundane cycle he found himself in,
Mr. Cooper relocated to the East Coast in 1984 to pursue his career
further. It was there that he discovered the world of children's
book illustrating and was amazed by the opportunities for
creativity it afforded. Mr. Cooper was energized. The first book he
illustrated, Grandpa's Face, captivated reviewers. Publishers
Weekly said of newcomer Floyd Cooper's work, "Cooper, in his first
picture book, creates family scenes of extraordinary illumination.
He reinforces in the pictures the feelings of warmth and affection
that exist between generations."
Illustrating children's books is very important to Mr. Cooper. He
says, "I feel children are at the frontline in improving society.
This might sound a little heavy, but it's true. I feel children's
picture books play a role in counteracting all the violence and
other negative images conveyed in the media."
Floyd Cooper resides in New Jersey with his wife, Velma, and their
two sons.copyright 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.
All rights reserved.
"A forceful, credible picture of a strong and deeply devoted statesman". -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
Cooper's (Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes) poetic portrait of Nelson Mandela emphasizes the leader's lifelong commitment to "stand[ing] firm for what he believed was fair and right." Appropriately for his audience, the author focuses more closely on Mandela's boyhood and schooling than on his adulthood as an anti-apartheid activist or his ascension to the presidency of South Africa. Lyrically linking Mandela's Thembu heritage with his education in modern subjects, Cooper describes the young Mandela's relationship to Thembu elders, such as Old Chief Joyi, "[who] with his wrinkled blue-black skin and dry, dusty voice, had lived and seen much from the days of forever before." This dextrous attention to Thembu traditions paves the way to a stronger appreciation of the adult Mandela's commitment to freedom for all of South Africa's peoples. Striking an appealing balance between the representational and the symbolic, Cooper's intentionally grainy oil washes present impressive likenesses of Mandela throughout the stages of his life. Skillful design accommodates a lengthy text by setting it in relatively small type and superimposing it over sweeping, two-page spreads. A forceful, credible picture of a strong and deeply devoted statesman. Ages 5-10. (Sept.)
"A forceful, credible picture of a strong and deeply devoted statesman". -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
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