Review by Booklist Review
In this biographical picture book, Reverend Charles Tindley (1851-1933) tells his life story in an unassuming voice. Born poor, Black, and free in Maryland, he worked in the fields alongside enslaved people, singing chants and spirituals with them. A self-taught reader as a boy, he attended church, where he proudly read Bible passages aloud. Later, he moved to Philadelphia, married, and worked two jobs while attending night school. Called to preach, he became a minister and wrote many hymns. His small congregation grew to 15,000, and Tindley became known as the people's pastor. In Weatherford's rhymed verses, he recalls his hard times, his dreams, and how his hardships and the spirituals that had so moved him were later woven into his hymns. Phrases from those spirituals and hymns appear, italicized, within the simply written, evocative text. In expressive watercolor-and-collage artwork, Collier, who grew up near Tindley's birthplace, transports viewers to the farm fields of the man's childhood and the churches he knew throughout his life. The illustrations vary, from vivid portrayals of individuals to impressive landscapes to scenes with a soaring sense of music. This picture book conveys that Tindley lived his life with purpose and left a lasting legacy of faith expressed through gospel music.--Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Born in the rural South and hired out to farmers at age seven, Charles Albert Tindley (1851--1933) had a thirst for learning. He learned to read from newspaper fragments and walked miles to church, where reading was celebrated: "As I read the Bible aloud/ I had never felt so proud." As he grew, Tindley sought out teachers and studied for the ministry at night. Sturdy verse by Weatherford weaves the words of hymns the figure wrote ("A better home... I'm going there") into lines that describe his slow, steady rise through the Great Migration and Great Depression until he became pastor of an urban church with 15,000 parishioners and wrote dozens of hymns for them to sing. Collier creates one compelling watercolor and collage spread after another, from a view of the small boy shadowed by tall trees as he trudges to church to congregants joined in song with Tindley at the pulpit. Though Weatherford doesn't define gospel music or explain its further development, she artfully champions Tindley's achievements, and Collier portrays both the man and his life events with memorable visual power. An author's and illustrator's note and list of hymns conclude. Ages 4--8. (Jan.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 2--6--Weatherford traces Charles Tindley's life (1851--1933), from his impoverished childhood to his move North as part of the Great Migration to his legacy as an influential minister and gospel music writer. The pastor is best known for "I'll Overcome Some Day," which inspired the historic protest anthem "We Shall Overcome." Tindley, born in 1851, was the son of an enslaved father and a free mother who died when Tindley was young. Hearing spirituals in the work fields motivated Tindley to learn how to read the Bible. The first-person narrative highlights his appetite for education and his unwavering faith. The rhyming text uses a hymn-like structure. The watercolor and collage illustrations, peppered with images of Tindley's sheet music, provide a vibrant and meaningful backdrop for the story of the composer's life, presented as "a sermon inside a song." The rhyming device causes some of the text to be less straightforward than it could be, using expressions like "donned the robe" to describe Tindley becoming a pastor. Young readers may need support to comprehend some of the more nuanced vocabulary terms. However, this stylistic choice is effective as it conveys the importance of lyrics in Tindley's life and ministry. VERDICT This beautiful volume will make an excellent addition to biography collections and broaden available resources for black history studies in elementary and middle school classrooms.--Kelly Jahng, South Park Elementary School, IL
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Review by Horn Book Review
Born to a free mother in 1851 Maryland, Charles Albert Tindley was technically considered free. However, the law didnt protect him from the hardship of laboring alongside farmhands and enslaved people. Toiling in the fields, young Charles was introduced to Negro spirituals and the gospel behind them. The desire to know more about his faith led Tindley to become self-educated, learning to read from scraps of newspapers and walking miles to receive lessons from anyone who would teach him. His drive continued after he moved to Philadelphia, taking night classes while working multiple jobs. His tenacity ultimately provided Tindley the opportunity to act as pastor for the church in which hed once worked as a janitor. Throughout his journey, Tindley also penned gospel songs, which added to his legacy as the prince of preachers. Weatherfords first-person, somewhat singsong-y rhyming narrative includes italicized lines from Tindleys hymns (some of which also appear in the art), further emphasizing the preachers foundation in his faith. Colliers watercolor and collage images beautifully reflect the mans life and times, from the wide expanse of emerald-hued fields in which Tindley labored as a child and the bright blue sky above, to luminous, larger-than-life portraits of him orating as an adult. Back matter includes author and illustrator notes, titles of popular hymns by Tindley, a bibliography, additional resources, and titles of songs quoted throughout the book. Eboni Njoku January/February 2020 p.112(c) Copyright 2020. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A child born to one free and one enslaved parent grows up to make a difference in the spiritual and secular lives of his people.Charles Albert Tindley, born in antebellum Maryland, had a difficult childhood, losing his mother while very young and consigned to a life of harsh field work. There he heard the spirituals that the enslaved workers sang and longed to be able to read the Bible stories that inspired them. Once he learned and was able to read aloud in church, he was inspired to continue his search for more knowledge. In time, he married and moved to Philadelphia, eventually becoming pastor of the church whose floors he'd mopped while studying. As his congregation grew, he preached and sang, eventually writing a hymnal containing songs he had composedsongs that have become an important part of the rich musical tradition of the black church. (Lists of popular hymns and of songs quoted in the book appear in the backmatter.) Weatherford tells Tindley's story in rhyming verse that captures his drive for spiritual growth, service, and musical expression. Collier's strong, vivid watercolor-and-collage illustrations enhance the text and visually depict the various facets of Tindley's life. His use of perspective often highlights the pastor's efforts to connect with issues beyond those of the earthly realm. A lively salute to an important, influential life of music and service. (author's note, illustrator's note, bibliography, resources) (Picture book/biography. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
