Happy Black History Month! Below is Dr. Toughlove’s February 2024 book review.
In honor of Black History Month, Dr. Toughlove wanted to shine a spotlight on a picture book entitled “Moving Forward: From Space-Age Rides to Civil Rights Sit-Ins with Airman Alton Yates”, written by Chris Barton and Illustrated by Steffi Walthall. Chris Barton has written a number of non-fiction picture books that seek to inform young readers, in an age-appropriate fashion about a variety of historical facts and concepts.
This informative picture book, published in 2022, tells the story of Alton Yates, who grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and who joined the Air Force as soon as he was old enough to do so. He was inspired by other African-American servicemen who shared their stories and wanted to escape the prejudice he experienced in Florida. While in the Air Force in the 1950’s, the fearless and courageous Alton Yates volunteered for a space program which sought to learn about how space travel impacts the human body.
Several years later, when Alton needed to return to Jacksonville because his father became ill, he donned his Air Force blues and began his drive from New Mexico to Florida. Dr. Toughlove doesn’t want to give the story away, but after being refused at a gas station, kicked out of a restaurant and other indignities, Alton took on a new mission – civil rights.
The ideas and concepts in “Moving Forward” are complex, and yet Chris Barton’s words are able to describe them in ways that children can understand. Steffi Walthall’s illustrations are expressive, eye-catching and compliment Chris Barton’s text beautifully. When reading this book aloud, adults can use the illustrations to amplify the story and invite the children to describe what emotions and actions they see.
“Moving Forward: From Space-Age Rides to Civil Rights Sit-Ins with Airman Alton Yates” is a great book to read any time of year, but because it highlights the achievements of an African-American serviceman and civil rights activist, is a great choice during the month of February. “Moving Forward” is appropriate for children aged 6-10 years and is available at the Queen Anne’s County Library.