A Crown of Stories: The Life and Language of Beloved Writer Toni Morrison

“Thoughtful. Attending closely observed second-person text that puts the reader in Morrison’s shoes, debut artist Tahir Johnson combines media, including paint and collage, lending textured depth to portraits of a creator whose stories ‘get under our skin, next to our hearts, and inside our souls.’”

“Weatherford skillfully weaves together the various aspects of the writer’s life in a lyrical account that flows and reveals her rich contributions. Weatherford emphasizes the role of listening, grounding Morrison in her family and community. Making wonderful use of collage, Thompson’s evocative paintings enhance the text, beginning with a striking cover image. Transcendent and deeply resonant.”

“Both the reverent art and the text provide an intimate glimpse into Morrison’s remarkable life story.”

“This combination of vibrant images with compelling text gives readers a visceral experience. In addition to being a useful mentor text on the second-person voice, this is an excellent addition to biography collections and displays highlighting Black and Women’s History months.”

“An excellent book to read to younger children. Weatherford's narrative and Thompson's works also importantly put Morrison's life and work in context of her times. Public and school libraries will want to have this work in their collections.”

“A solid entry point into the how and why of Morrison’s storytelling, a fitting crown that encourages readers to seek out more of Morrison’s uplifting complexity.”