Trailblazer

African American Raven Wilkinson broke the color barrier for touring American classical dance companies by joining the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in 1955, and she traveled the U.S. dancing beautiful ballet while confronting ugly bigotry. Raven’s love for and commitment to her art saw her through such difficult times as when her troupe’s stage was rushed by men spewing epithets. Schubert’s succinct text places Raven’s life in the context of Brown v. Board of Education and the KKK. Many of Raven’s own words and descriptions are used, such as her recounting how she sometimes lightened her skin while refusing to “deny my very being and who I was.” These are accompanied by Taylor’s clean, large-scale pictures. Back matter includes a personal note from Raven, a glossary of ballet terms, and a bibliography, and her important story and inspiring impact is brought forward with a connection to, and personal testimonial from, the contemporary dancer Misty Copeland, whom Raven inspired-just as she will inspire readers.–Andrew Medlar “Booklist”

Leda Schubert has taught at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is the author of many books for children, including The Princess of Borscht, Ballet of the Elephants, Monsieur Marceau, and Listen: How Pete Seeger Got America Singing. She lives in Plainfield, Vermont, with her husband and two large dogs: Pogo (a very good boy) and Pippa (slightly insane). Find out more about Leda at ledaschubert.com.

Theodore Taylor III is an illustrator living in Richmond, Virginia, with his wife Sarah and son Theo. He works as a front-end web developer by day and illustrates children’s books by night. He received the Texas Bluebonnet Award and the Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award for his work in When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop. He also recently illustrated three books for Shaquille O’Neal. His work is inspired by his love for music, comics, animation, video games, street art, and more. He is also a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur. Find out more about Theodore at theodore3.com.