Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award

Year

Let it shine : three favorite spirituals. (2007). (Illustrated by Ashley Bryan). New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 782.253 B915L 

Illustrated versions of three well-known spirituals. This little light of mine -- When the saints go marching in -- He’s got the whole world in His hands.

2007

Weatherford, Carole Boston. (2006). Moses : when Harriet Tubman led her people to freedom. (Illustrated by Kadir Nelson) New York : Hyperion Books for Children. PRIM-FIC W3621mo

Describes Tubman’s spiritual journey as she hears the voice of God guiding her north to freedom on that very first trip to escape the brutal practice of forced servitude. Tubman would make nineteen subsequent trips back south, never being caught, but none as profound as this first one.

2006

Giovanni, Nikki. (2005). Rosa. (Illustrated by Bryan Collier). New York : Henry Holt. 323.09 G512r

A retelling of Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat on a bus to a white man. On December 1, 1955. Mrs. Parks’ quiet determination changed race relations in the U.S. forever.

2005

Shange, Ntozake. (2004). Ellington was not a street . (Illustrations by Kadir Nelson). New York : Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. 811.54 S5286el

At a time when they were restricted in where they could live or work, a dedicated group of innovators met in the author's childhood home. Together and separately they reshaped the influence of Black culture in America, and created a movement that changed the world.

2004

Bryan, Ashley. (2003). Beautiful blackbird. New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers. 398.2 B9153be

In a story of the Ila people, the colorful birds of Africa ask Blackbird, whom they think is the most beautiful of birds, to decorate them with some of his "blackening brew."

2003

Grimes. Nikki. (2002). Talkin' about Bessie : the story of aviator Elizabeth Coleman . (Illustrated by E. B. Lewis). New York : Orchard Books. 921 C692g

A biography of the woman who became the first licensed Afro-American pilot.

2002

McKissack, Pat. (2001). Goin' someplace special. (Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney). New York : Atheneum Books for Young Readers. PRIM-FIC M1584GO

In segregated 1950s Nashville, a young African American girl braves a series of indignities and obstacles to get to one of the few integrated places in town : the public library.

2001

Collier, Bryan. (2000). Uptown. New York : Henry Holt. PRIM-FIC C6988UP

A tour of the sights of Harlem, including the Metro-North Train, brownstones, shopping on 125th Street, a barber shop, summer basketball, the Boy's Choir, and sunset over the Harlem River.

2000

Siegelson, Kim L. (1999). In the time of the drums. (Illustrated by Brian Pinkney). New York : Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books. PRIM-FIC S5715in

Mentu, an American-born slave boy, watches his beloved grandmother, Twi, lead the insurrection at Teakettle Creek of Ibo people arriving from Africa on a slave ship.

1999

Wood, Michele. (1998). I see the rhythm. (Paintings by Michele Wood; text by Toyomi Igus). San Francisco, CA : Children's Book Press. 780.89 I24i

Chronicles and captures poetically the history, mood, and movement of African American music.

1998

Steptoe, Javaka. (1997). In daddy's arms I am tall : African Americans celebrating fathers. New York : Lee & Low Books. 811 I35

A collection of poems celebrating African-American fathers by Angela Johnson, E. Ethelbert Miller, Carole Boston Weatherford, and others.

1997

Schroeder, Alan (1996). Minty : a story of young Harriet Tubman. (Pictures by Jerry Pinkney). New York : Dial Books for Young Readers. 973.7 S381m

Young Harriet Tubman, whose childhood name was Minty, dreams of escaping slavery on the Brodas plantation in the late 1820s.

1996

Feelings, Tom. (1995). The middle passage : white ships/black cargo . New York : Dial Books. 759.13 F295m

The story of the journey that brought Africans to the Americans into slavery told through drawings.

1995

Johnson, James Weldon. (1994). The creation. (Illustrated by James E. Ransome). New York : Holiday House. 811.52 J675cr

A poem based on the story of creation from the first book of the Bible.

1994

Feelings, Tom. (1993). Soul looks back in wonder. (Illustrated by Tom Feelings ; poems by Maya Angelou..et al.). New York : Dial Books. 811 S722

Artwork and poems by such writers as Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, and Askia Toure portray the creativity, strength, and beauty of their African American heritage.

1993

Anderson, David A. (1991). The origin of life on earth : an African creation myth. (Illustrated by Kathleen Atkins Wilson ; design by Pete Traynor). Mt. Airy, MD. : Sights Productions. 398.2 A5462o

Retells the Yoruba creation myth in which the deity Obatala descends from the sky to create the world.

1992

Ringgold, Faith. (1991). Tar Beach. New York : Crown Publishers. PRIM-FIC R5823TA

A young girl dreams of flying above her Harlem home, claiming all she sees for herself and her family. Based on the author's quilt painting of the same name.

1991

Price, Leontyne. (1990). Aïda. (Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillion). San Diego : Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. 782.1 P9458ai

Retells the story of Verdi's opera in which the love of the enslaved Ethiopian princess for an Egyptian general brings tragedy to all involved.

1990

Greenfield, Elosie. (1988). Nathaniel talking. (Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist). New York : Black Butterfly Children's Books. 811.54 G5634

Poems celebrating life as a boy sees it.

1989

McKissack, Pat. (1988). Mirandy and Brother Wind. (by Patricia C. McKissack ; illustrated by Jerry Pinkney). New York : Knopf. PRIM-FIC M1584MIR

To win first prize in the Junior Cakewalk, Mirandy tries to capture the wind for her partner.

1988

Steptoe, John. (1987). Mufaro's beautiful daughters : an African tale. New York : Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books. PRIM-FIC S8379MU

Mufaro's two beautiful daughters, one bad-tempered, one kind and sweet, go before the king, who is choosing a wife.

1987

Dragonwagon, Crescent. (1986). Half a moon and one whole star. (Illustrations by Jerry Pinkney). New York : Macmillan. PRIM-FIC D7593ha

The summer night is full of wonderful sounds and scents as Susan falls asleep.

1986

Flournoy, Valerie. (1985). The patchwork quilt. (Pictures by Jerry Pinkney). New York : Dial Books for Young Readers. PRIM-FIC F6435PA

Using scraps cut from the family's old clothing, Tanya helps her grandmother and mother make a beautiful quilt that tells the story of her family's life.

1985

No award

1984

Walter, Mildred Pitts. (1983). My mama needs me . (Pictures by Pat Cummings). New York : Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books. PRIM-FIC W2332my

Jason wants to help, but isn't sure that his mother needs him at all after she brings home a new baby from the hospital.

1983

Mugabane, Peter. (1982). Black child. New York : Knopf. 968 M213b

Shows what it was like to grow up under apartheid.

1982

Guy, Rosa . (1981). Mother Crocodile = Maman-Caïman . (by Birago Diop ; translated and adapted by Rosa Guy ; illustrated by John Steptoe). New York : Delacorte Press. PRIM-FIC D5933ma

Because Mother Crocodile tells stories of the past, the little crocodiles choose to believe she is crazy until almost too late they learn otherwise.

1981

Bryan, Ashley. (1987, c1980). Beat the story-drum, pum-pum. New York : Aladdin Books ; London : Collier Macmillan. 398.2 B9153bea

Five traditional Nigerian tales include "Hen and Frog," "Why Bush Cow and Elephant are Bad Friends," "The Husband Who Counted the Spoonfuls" "Why Frog and Snake Never Play Together," and "How Animals Got Their Tails."

1980

Yarbrough, Camille. (1979). Cornrows. (Illustrated by Carole Byard). New York : Coward, McCann & Geoghegan. PRIM-FIC Y265co

Explains how the hair style of cornrows, a symbol in Africa since ancient times, can today in this country symbolize the courage of outstanding Afro-Americans.

1979

Grimes, Nikki. (1978). Something on my mind. (Illustrated by Tom Feeling). New York : Dial Press.

Poems expressing the hopes, fears, joys, and sorrows of growing up.

1978

Greenfield, Eloise. (1977). Africa dream. (Illustrated by Carole Byard). New York, NY : HarperCollins Publishers. PRIM-FIC G8124af

A black child's dreams are filled with the images of the people and places of Africa.

1977

No award

1976

No award

1975

No award

1974

Mathis, Sharon Bell. (2002). Ray Charles. (Illustrated by George Ford). (New ed.). New York : Lee & Low ; London : Turnaround. 921 C4768ma

Tells the rags-to-riches story of Ray Charles whose mix of jazz, blues and gospel music won him international recognition.

(Note: Prior to 1974, the CSK Award was given to authors only)