Book

By and By

📖 Overview

By and By tells the life story of Charles Albert Tindley, who was born to enslaved parents in Maryland in 1851. Through text and watercolor collage illustrations, the book follows his journey from childhood through his adult years. Tindley taught himself to read and write while working as a church janitor, eventually becoming a minister and hymn composer in Philadelphia. The narrative focuses on his creation of the hymn "I'll Overcome Some Day," which later evolved into the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome." The book connects Tindley's personal story to broader themes of perseverance, faith, and the enduring impact of music in social movements. His contributions to both religious music and civil rights demonstrate how one person's creative work can resonate across generations.

👀 Reviews

This book appears to have limited reader reviews online, with only a small number of ratings available. Readers appreciate: - The illustrations that bring Charles Tindley's hymn to life - The historical context provided about Tindley's life and work - The book's effectiveness in teaching children about spirituals and gospel music - The combination of art and biography Common criticisms: - Some readers found the narrative flow disjointed - A few noted the text could be challenging for younger children to follow Ratings: Goodreads: 4.13/5 (23 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (14 ratings) Specific comments: "The collage illustrations perfectly capture the spirit of the song" - School librarian on Goodreads "Beautiful tribute to an important figure in gospel music" - Parent reviewer on Amazon "My students were drawn to the artwork but struggled with understanding parts of the story" - Teacher on Goodreads The book appears to have a limited but positive reception, particularly in educational settings.

📚 Similar books

Freedom Over Me by Ashley Bryan The stories of eleven enslaved people, depicted through poetry and portraits, illuminate their inner lives, hopes, and dreams beyond their monetary value assigned in estate documents.

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill Through poetry and illustrations, this book tells the story of an enslaved potter who inscribed his ceramic works with original verses while mastering his craft in 1800s South Carolina.

Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine Based on true events, this story follows Henry Brown's journey to freedom as he mails himself in a wooden crate from slavery in Richmond, Virginia to Philadelphia abolitionists.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford The text weaves together history and spirituality to chronicle Harriet Tubman's work guiding enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad.

Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson The narrative traces African American history from colonial times through the civil rights movement through the voice of an elderly narrator sharing stories with younger generations.

🤔 Interesting facts

🎵 "By and By" illustrates the remarkable life of Charles Albert Tindley, who went from being born to enslaved parents in 1851 to becoming a renowned Methodist minister and gospel music composer. 🎨 Award-winning illustrator Bryan Collier used his signature watercolor and collage technique to create the book's striking artwork, incorporating musical notes and patterns throughout the illustrations. ✨ The book's title comes from one of Tindley's most famous hymns, "I'll Overcome Some Day," which later evolved into the civil rights anthem "We Shall Overcome." 📚 Charles Tindley taught himself to read and write while working as a church janitor, eventually becoming the pastor of the same church where he once cleaned floors. 🎶 Tindley composed over 50 gospel hymns during his lifetime, earning him the nickname "The Prince of Preachers" and helping establish the foundations of modern gospel music.