The Reading Warehouse

This unique picture book is part history, part poetry, and entirely inspirational. It takes the reader step by simple step through the cumulative story of the US Civil Rights Movement, showing how select pioneers' achievements led up to the landmark moment when we elected our first black president. Each historical figure is rendered by a different award-winning illustrator, highlighting the singular and vibrant contribution that each figure made.

Frank Morrison was born in Massachusetts and then moved to New Jersey. He grew up during the early days of rap music, graffiti and break dancing. He was a well-known graffiti artist and an accomplished break dancer who was part of the Sugar Hill Gang's dance entourage. It was during one of the group's European tours he got a chance to visit the Louvre in Paris and was so intrigued by the magnificent art that he decided, at that moment, to return to his roots and become an artist.

Frank today enjoys the attention of art galleries nationwide, and is the recipient of a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Illustrator Award for Jazzy Miz Mozetta by Brenda C. Roberts. The artist, who works in watercolor and acrylic, makes his home in Georgia with his wife, three sons, and daughter.

Bryan Collier is the author and illustrator of Uptown, winner of the Coretta Scott King Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award. He is also the illustrator of Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport and Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, both of which are Caldecott Honor Books. The Chicago Sun-Times has called Collier's art "breathtakingly beautiful." Mr. Collier lives with his family in Harlem in New York City.

Pat Cummings is the illustrator of more than thirty picture books, many of which she has written herself. She is a Coretta Scott King Award winner, whose books include Ananse and the Lizard and Angel Baby. Ms. Cummings teaches at Parson's School of Design and lives in Brooklyn with her husband.