Bids/Classifieds
Harlem’s Little Blackbird: A Timeless Story about a Forgotten Entertainer
Florence Mills could have been in Ziegfeld’s Follies – but she chose black theater instead
office buildings to be built around it and
such a young age and I
at the end the house is moved back out
thought young people
to the country. Who inspires you in writ-
should know about
enee Watson is a native New
ing? And did anyone inspire you to write
this remarkable little
Yorker who has taught art, poet-
Harlem’s Little Blackbird?
girl who grew up to be
ry, creative writing and theater to
RW: I love The Snowy Day by Ezra
an
internationally
kids from pre-school on up. She also
Jack Keats, too!
acclaimed performer.
uses drama and writing as therapy tools
In terms of writing, most of my inspi-
While the book cele-
for youth and adult clients. Her stun-
ration comes from poetry. Poetry is all
brates her professional
ning new children’s picture book,
about using the fewest words to convey
career, for me, it is
“Harlem’s Little Blackbird: The Story
big emotion. It’s about rhythm and
about using your
of Florence Mills,” shares the true-life
choosing the right words to tell a story. I
voice
to
make
tale of a singer during the 1920s artistic
read a lot of poetry when I’m writing
change—big or small.
and cultural movement in New York.
picture books. It reminds me that less is
It is about holding on
While many people have heard of
more.
to your dream and Renee Watson, author
Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston,
When writing Harlem’s Little Black-
believing that no mat-
Count Basie and Duke Ellington, Flo-
ter where you come from, you can bird, I looked at several picture book biographies to see
rence Mills’ legacy has been lost to his-
how other writers wrote about legendary performers. Two
go anywhere, do anything.
tory – because, incredibly, there is no
of the books I went back to over and over again were When
known recording of her voice. Yet the
Marian Sang by Pam Muñoz Ryan and Duke Ellington: The
TSN: Who is your audience?
artist was so loved in her day that other
RW: My primary audience for Piano Prince and His Orchestra by Andrea and Brian
artists wrote music and theater in her
this book is children ages 7 and up. Pinkney.
honor.
My hope is that people of all ages
‘She was very young
In this book, Mills gracefully sketches
TSN: How did you hook up with Christian Robinson?
enjoy the story and find something
Mills’ life – as a daughter of former slaves when she was invited to that resonates with them.
RW: I was introduced to Christian by Random House.
whose talent led her to the Broadway
From the moment I saw his portfolio, I fell in love with his
sing at an all-white
stage but whose compassion for her own
TSN: One of my favorite things style and was very excited that we’d be collaborating on
community led her to turn down a spot on
theater and was told
about this gorgeous book as the this project. Christian lives in California and I live in New
the Ziegfeld Follies to focus on all-Black
author’s note at the end about how York, so we haven’t met face to face. We’ve spoken only
that her black guests
theater shows instead.
Florence’s voice was never record- through email. I’m looking forward to meeting him in a few
could not come in, so ed. How did you first hear of this weeks for the opening night at The Original Art annual
All this — wrapped in exquisite original
art by Christian Robinson using both
remarkable woman and how did exhibit in New York City. The exhibit is a showcase of illus-
she refused to sing’
painting and collage – for elementary
trations from the year’s best children’s books published in
—Renee Watson you research this story?
school readers. This is a truly incredible
RW: I was introduced to Flo- the U.S. It’s such an honor to be on that list and I’m so
book that everyone should pick up and
rence’s story by my editor, Suzy proud of Christian’s work.
read, no matter your age or background.
Capozzi. I worked with Suzy on my first picture book, A
Watson’s previous books are the picture book, “A Place Place Where Hurricanes Happen, and when I pitched my
TSN: What are you working on now?
Where Hurricanes Happen,” and her gripping young adult idea to her about writing a series honoring unsung heroes,
RW: Besides writing, I teach a poetry class as a writer-in-
novel, “What Momma Left Me.”
residence at an arts organization called DreamYard in the
she told me she had the perfect person in mind.
The Skanner News conducted an email interview with
I did most of my research at The Schomburg Center for Bronx. Right now, most of my time is working on lesson
Watson about her writing, her story, and why reading is so Research in Black Culture. The Schomburg is a treasure in plans and finding poems to bring into the classroom. I have
important.
Harlem that has a research library and a wealth of informa- a few new ideas for my next novel, but I am in the early
tion on people of African descent worldwide. There, I was stages, still brainstorming about what I want to write about
The Skanner News: What made you decide to write this able to read original newspapers that featured stories on next.
book?
Florence, and look through a collection of her personal arti-
Renee Watson: I wanted to write a series of books that facts, including the playbills from her performances, letters
TSN: Why is it important for little kids to read books —
honored the lives of women of color who accomplished that she wrote, and her touring schedules. I also read the even picture books?
amazing things, but we may not know much about. When I book, Harlem Jazz Queen by Bill Egan. Egan’s book is
RW: I could go on and on about the importance of read-
learned Florence’s story, I knew I had to tell it. This little what made me fall in love with Florence.
ing—for not just children but adults as well. Besides the
girl, born to former slaves, was already dancing and singing
educational benefits, I think young readers have an oppor-
by the time she was six-years-old. She was very young
TSN: One of the remarkable things about this book is that tunity to learn and practice empathy when reading about
when she was invited to sing at an all-white theater and was the style of it reminds me of classics from when I was a kid, characters and their struggles. It’s a safe way for the reader
told that her black guests could not come in, so she refused like The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats and that one story to step into the shoes of someone else.
to sing. I was moved by the boldness and passion she had at about the little house in New York that refused to move for
Lisa Loving
The Skanner News
R
Portland Public Schools
PUBLIC NOTICE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
# 2012-1569
The Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership
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Program Management and Construction
Management Consultant Services In Support
of the 2012 Capital Construction Bond
Program
PROPOSALS DUE NOVEMBER 20, 2012 AT 2:00 PM
10-21-12
PUBLIC OPENING NOVEMBER 20, 2012 AT 2:05 PM
Portland Public Schools, School District No. 1J, Mult-
nomah County, seeks written proposals from qualified
firms to provide comprehensive, professional program
management and construction management services to
the District in support of the 2012 Capital Construction
Bond Program, RFP 2012-1569. Sealed, in an envelope
clearly listing the vendor name and proposal title, will be
received by Elaine Holt, Program Director at: Bid Desk,
Purchasing & Contracting, Blanchard Education Service
Center, 501 N. Dixon St, Portland OR 97227
The Request for Proposal (RFP) documents may be
obtained at the ORPIN website, www.orpin.oregon.gov.
Firms must be registered with ORPIN to obtain and
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terms, conditions and Specifications may be reviewed at
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ing@pps.net.
10-21-12
ON-CALL EVENT SET-UP PERSONNEL
Washington State Convention Center (WSCC), located
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Visit www.wscc.com for further info or to download an
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10-21-12
October 31, 2012 The Seattle Skanner Page 7