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  • Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey book cover
  • Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas by Jeanne Walker Harvey book cover
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Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas

by Jeanne Walker Harvey

Alma Thomas’s path from close observation to abstraction

$17.71 USD
$29.52 USD $17.71 USD
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Hardcover New English

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Awards & Recognition

  • Award recognition

    2023 Jane Addams Children's Book Award finalist for Younger Children

    2023 finalist for Younger Children

  • Editorial selection

    New York Public Library 2022 Best Book for Kids

    2022 Best Book for Kids

AlbakiReads Editorial

Alma Thomas’s path from close observation to abstraction

Growing up in Georgia, Alma Thomas found inspiration in the colors of the natural world, while her family made room for creativity amid racial injustice. After moving to Washington, DC, she taught children before turning her attention to her own art later in life, drawing on nature and space travel. This picture-book biography connects those experiences with Thomas’s work as an abstract painter and her place in American art history. Photographs, a timeline, and notes from the author and illustrator extend the story with additional context and resources.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 4–8 exploring artists and biographies
  • Families and educators introducing art, Black history, or women’s history
  • Young readers interested in nature-inspired art and Alma Thomas

Themes

Art and imaginationNature and colorBlack history and barriersTeaching and creative work

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Celebrate the life-changing power of art in this inspiring and stunningly illustrated picture book biography of American artist Alma Thomas.

Meet an incredible woman who broke down barriers throughout her whole life and is now known as one of the most preeminent painters of the twentieth century. Told from the point of view of young Alma Thomas, readers can follow along as she grows into her discovery of the life-changing power of art.

As a child in Georgia, Alma Thomas loved to spend time outside, soaking up the colors around her. And her parents filled their home with color and creativity despite the racial injustices they faced. After the family moved to Washington, DC, Alma shared her passion for art by teaching children. When she was almost seventy years old, she focused on her own artwork, inspired by nature and space travel.

In this celebration of art and the power of imagination, Jeanne Walker Harvey and Loveis Wise tell the incredible true story of Alma Thomas, the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum in New York City and to have her work chosen for the White House collection. With her bold and vibrant abstract paintings, Alma set the world ablaze with color.

Ablaze with Color includes extensive back matter with photos, an author's and illustrator's note, a timeline, and a list of sources and resources that will be a great tool for parents, educators, and librarians. Perfect for Women's History Month and Black History Month units alongside such favorites as Malala's Magic Pencil, Hidden Figures, andMae Among the Stars.

    A NAACP IMAGE AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING LITERARY CHILDREN'S WORK NOMINEE!A JANE ADDAMS CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN 2023 FINALIST!A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF 2022!A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 2022 BEST BOOK FOR KIDS!A CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY BEST INFORMATIONAL BOOKS FOR YOUNGER READERS OF 2022!A NERDY BOOK CLUB 2022 BEST NONFICTION BOOK!A CCBC BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR, 2023! A CHARTER OAK CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD NONFICTION NOMINEE!A 2022 CALIBA GOLDEN POPPY AWARD FINALIST! A 2023 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BOOK AWARD (NCBA) IN CHILDREN'S BOOKS: YOUNGER READERS NOMINEE!
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