Grandpa Stops A War

A true story of peace, the power of art, and the great singer and activist Paul Robeson told by his granddaughter."Daddy always said it takes a man of peace to stop a war."Based on the true story of Paul Robeson's visit to the front lines of the Spanish Civil War, comes this recollection of his bravery and activism by his granddaughter, Susan Robeson, with her debut book. When Susan was a child her father and grandfather told her family stories over and over. Grandpa Paul was a great man, a singer with a deep and rumbling voice, a man of peace and principle who worried about the safety of the children and families living in countries at war. His songs were always full of emotion, and evoking the African-American spirituals of his own father's childhood, he was able to communicate even with people who didn't speak the same language. Though it was dangerous, Robeson went to Spain and traveled to the front lines of the war (in a Buick!). There, he asked the soldiers to set up speakers facing the fighters on both sides of the battlefield. And then he sang....With gorgeous illustrations from the fine artist Rod Brown, When Grandpa Stops A War celebrates the activism and achievements of the great Paul Robeson, and shows readers the power of art in times of discord and war.

“"Paul Robeson lived in Harlem on St. Nicholas Avenue, not far from me. He was our favorite singer and had a soulful voice, like no other. Susan Robeson's book, Grandpa Stops a War , shares a wonderful message for children about his life and his devotion to freedom and justice." --Faith Ringgold, author of Tar Beach and We Came to America "Deeply saturated, highly textured illustrations effectively capture the dangers Robeson encountered to try to bring peace to war-torn Spain ... A story worth hearing about a cause worth fighting." -- Kirkus Reviews "The author recalls her father telling the story of how her famous grandfather, the singer Paul Robeson (1898-1976), 'stopped a war.' In 1938, his singing for the soldiers on the front lines of Teruel temporarily halted the Spanish Civil War ('The battlefield grew silent. No shots were fired'). The story's humanity is underscored with paintings by a sure hand." --The Horn Book "Renowned African American singer Paul Robeson and his family lived in London during the Spanish Civil War. Disturbed by reports of homeless families in that country, he gave concerts and sent money, food, and clothing to help Spanish children. Later, he traveled to Madrid. The city was bombed that night, but he led all who were huddled in his dark hotel to sing together. He visited the front, where he sang African American spirituals and songs of freedom with such feeling that soldiers on both sides were moved. 'While Grandpa Paul sang, there was peace.' Susan Robeson, the singer's granddaughter and a documentary filmmaker, retells a family story simply and effectively, and leaves it to listeners to reflect on implicit messages about war, peace, and the power of one gifted, brave, compassionate person to help others. In an appended author's note, she fills in historical details. Brown contributes a series of strong, well-composed paintings using deep, rich colors that capture the book's emotional undertones effectively." -- Booklist "A touching introduction for young readers of the great singer and activist Paul Robeson, told by his granddaughter, with evocative drawings by Rod Brown and intriguing back matter for older readers." --Elizabeth Levy, author of over 100 books for children and young adults, and former chair of PEN Children's Book Committee with Vera B. Williams”

"Paul Robeson lived in Harlem on St. Nicholas Avenue, not far from me. He was our favorite singer and had a soulful voice, like no other. Susan Robeson’s book, Grandpa Stops a War, shares a wonderful message for children about his life and his devotion to freedom and justice." —Faith Ringgold, author of Tar Beach and We Came to America

"Deeply saturated, highly textured illustrations effectively capture the dangers Robeson encountered to try to bring peace to war-torn Spain ... A story worth hearing about a cause worth fighting." —Kirkus Reviews

"The author recalls her father telling the story of how her famous grandfather, the singer Paul Robeson (1898–1976), 'stopped a war.' In 1938, his singing for the soldiers on the front lines of Teruel temporarily halted the Spanish Civil War ('The battlefield grew silent. No shots were fired'). The story's humanity is underscored with paintings by a sure hand." —The Horn Book

"Renowned African American singer Paul Robeson and his family lived in London during the Spanish Civil War. Disturbed by reports of homeless families in that country, he gave concerts and sent money, food, and clothing to help Spanish children. Later, he traveled to Madrid. The city was bombed that night, but he led all who were huddled in his dark hotel to sing together. He visited the front, where he sang African American spirituals and songs of freedom with such feeling that soldiers on both sides were moved. 'While Grandpa Paul sang, there was peace.' Susan Robeson, the singer's granddaughter and a documentary filmmaker, retells a family story simply and effectively, and leaves it to listeners to reflect on implicit messages about war, peace, and the power of one gifted, brave, compassionate person to help others. In an appended author's note, she fills in historical details. Brown contributes a series of strong, well-composed paintings using deep, rich colors that capture the book's emotional undertones effectively." —Booklist

"A touching introduction for young readers of the great singer and activist Paul Robeson, told by his granddaughter, with evocative drawings by Rod Brown and intriguing back matter for older readers." —Elizabeth Levy, author of over 100 books for children and young adults, and former chair of PEN Children’s Book Committee with Vera B. Williams

SUSAN ROBESON is a longtime documentary film and television producer. Her award-winning work has appeared on PBS, NBC and ABC affiliates and has shown at the Museum of Modern Art, Lincoln Center and numerous film festivals. She is currently producing a major motion picture on the life of her grandfather, Paul Robeson. Her first book, The Whole World In His Hands- A Pictorial Biography of Paul Robeson, was an ALA best book for young adults. She resides in the New York City area where she is an adjunct professor in film and communications and executive director of the Paul Robeson Foundation.ROD BROWN is a fine artist and the illustrator of We Troubled the Waters and Freedom's A-Callin Me both by Ntozake Shange, and From Slave Ship to Freedom Road by Julius Lester, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. His artwork has been feartured in museums and on national television including at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in NYC, as well as on Oprah's OWN Network and the Nickelodeon program "The Legacy of Slavery" with Linda Ellerbee. He lives with his wife outside of Washington, DC.

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