Firebird-Illustrator Winner

 10 Coretta Scott King or CSK Honor winning books

2. The 2015

Illustrator Winner: Christopher Myers

“Firebird"

About the Illustrator:

"Misty Danielle Copeland (born September 10, 1982) is an American ballet dancer for American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the three leading classical ballet companies in the United States. On June 30, 2015, Copeland became the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer in ABT's 75-year history.

Copeland was considered a prodigy who rose to stardom despite not starting ballet until the age of 13. By age 15, her mother and ballet teachers, who were serving as her custodial guardians, fought a custody battle over her. Meanwhile, Copeland, who was already an award-winning dancer, was fielding professional offers. The 1998 legal issues involved filings for emancipation by Copeland and restraining orders by her mother. Both sides dropped legal proceedings, and Copeland moved home to begin studying under a new teacher who was a former ABT member.

In 1997, Copeland won the Los Angeles Music Center Spotlight Award as the best dancer in Southern California. After two summer workshops with ABT, she became a member of ABT's Studio Company in 2000 and its corps de ballet in 2001, and became an ABT soloist in 2007. As a soloist from 2007 to mid-2015, she was described as having matured into a more contemporary and sophisticated dancer."

Book Summary:

"In her debut picture book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl--an every girl--whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl's faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird. Lyrical and affecting text paired with bold, striking illustrations that are some of Caldecott Honoree Christopher Myers's best work, makes Firebird perfect for aspiring ballerinas everywhere."

- Amazon.com

Misty Copeland Reads "Firebird" | Bookmarks | Netflix Jr

Reviews:

“Ballet dancer Misty Copeland makes her children's book debut with this inspiring love letter to young people, containing breathtaking illustrations of airborne dancers by Caldecott Honor artist Christopher Myers… Brava!”—Shelf Awareness, starred review "An inspirational picture book for children daunted by the gap between their dream and their reality."—Booklist “A poetic dialogue between an aspiring young dancer and the American Ballet Theater’s soloist comprises the text of this stunning picture book… which feature[s] full spreads bursting with color and excitement… A very successful collaboration.” —School Library Journal

Sources:

https://www.amazon.com/Firebird-Misty-Copeland/dp/0399166157/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=firebird&qid=1606058156&sr=8-1

https://www.amazon.com/Misty-Copeland/e/B00IBEOVPM?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzUZEaceZKc