Our Children Can Soar Michelle Cook

Our Children Can Soar: A Celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the Pioneers of Change by Michelle Cook illustrated by 13 Heavy Hitters
This is going to have to be a collage (a la Bryan Collier) post, since I haven't actually read the book. Though I have no problem saying I love this book site unseen. 13 illustrators collaborated to do the art work for Our Children Can Soar. I have no idea who got all of these talented illustrators together but to them I say thank you. Among these artist there are 5 Corretta Scott Kind Award Winners, 18 Corretta Scott Honors, 3 John Steptoe Award Winners, 5 Caldecott Honors and 1 Geisel Honor
From Bloomsbury Press Page

This is the seed of a unique picture book that is part historical, part poetry, and entirely inspirational. It takes the reader through the cumulative story of the US Civil Rights Movement, expanding the popular slogan beyond these three heroes to include more key players in the struggle for equality. Spare prose and vivid imagery make this a truly moving and accessible picture book to be savored by readers of all ages.

The illustrators
Cozbi Cabera
R. Gregory Christie
Bryan Collier
Pat Cummings
Diane and Leo Dillon
A.G. Ford
E.B Lewis
Frank Morrison
James Ransome
Charlotte Riley Webb
Shadra Strickland
Eric Velasquez

Even though my expectations for this book are very high, I know still I won't be ready for its goodness. I was proven right when I viewed these Sample illustrations provided by Bloomsbury Press.
Our Children Can Soar received a starred Publisher Weekly review and it is on sale now. It took while to cut and paste all of the illustrators website, so please make my hard work worthwhile and check out a few of these beautiful sites.

While searching Our Children Can Soar, I came upon a upcoming book signing to be held at Books of Wonder a bookstore in NYC. 10 out of the 13 illustrators will be signing. I get nothing out of mentioning this but I couldn't not tell of this event, that would just be wrong. So I emailed the store to see if they take out of state orders and they do. This is the response I received from the assistant manager.

We are always happy to take orders from customers in other states, especially for author signing events. Customers may call the store via the information on our website and order over the phone. We will ship the books to them anywhere in the U.S.A. for a small shipping fee plus the cost of the books. Please feel free to mention this on your website.

So here's the book signing info

Books of Wonder
OUR CHILDREN CAN SOAR SATURDAY, MAY 2nd, 12 - 2:00PM OUR CHILDREN CAN SOAR Come celebrate the publication of this landmark children’s book with 10 of the 13 illustrators! BRYAN COLLIER • LEO & DIANE DILLON • PAT CUMMINGS • ERIC VELASQUEZ • E. B. LEWIS • SHADRA STRICKLAND • JAMES RANSOME • COZBI CABRERA • GREG CHRISTIE

If you collect children's books this is a must. You'll probably never get another opportunity to have so many awarding illustrators sign a first edition. It would make a great gift for history and art fans. If you buy it has a gift you should just go ahead and get one for yourself, once you see it you'll regret not buying two. If you know someone who might be interested in owning a signed first edition soon to be a classic children's book please let them know before the signing. If you tell them after the fact they may cut you, if not with a knife at least with their tongue or eyes. If you decide to buy a book or two, please tell them where you heard about the event.