Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas | Awareness Tour


Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas Awareness Tour sponsored by Jeanne Walker Harvey
The Children’s Book Review

Join us on this virtual book tour for Jeanne Walker Harvey’s Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas (Available February 22, 2022)—a picture book perfect for Women’s History Month and Black History Month.

Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas: Book Cover

In this stunning celebration of art and imagination, Jeanne Walker Harvey and Loveis Wise tell the incredible and inspiring true story of Alma Thomas, the first Black woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum in New York City and the first Black woman to have her work chosen for the White House collection.

The text achieves a fine balance of evocative lyricism and straightforward exposition. Wise’s vibrant, eye-catching illustrations contain echoes of Thomas’ signature abstract style, with its colorful mosaic-like patterns and tessellated brush strokes. Uplifting with hope and ablaze with joyous colors!

Kirkus Reviews

To learn more, follow along on the virtual book tour and enter the giveaway below for the chance to one of three class sets of Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas! Be sure to download the gorgeous and Educators’ Guide and Activity Kit, too—you’ll find them both below.

Ablaze with Color Tour Dates

Saturday, January 15, 2022
The Children’s Book Review
A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Monday, January 18, 2022
Some the Wiser
A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Tuesday, January 19, 2022
Barbara Ann Mojica’s Blog
A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Wednesday, January 20, 2022
Twirling Book Princess
A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Thursday, January 21, 2022
Lisa’s Reading
A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Friday, January 22, 2022
Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk
A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Monday, January 25, 2022
Heart to Heart

A book giveaway of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Tuesday, January 26, 2022
Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers
A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Wednesday, January 27, 2022
Life Is What It’s Called

A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Thursday, January 28, 2022
Books Are Magic Too

A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Friday, January 29, 2022
The Momma Spot

A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Monday, February 1, 2022
Writer with Wanderlust

A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Tuesday, February 2, 2022
Me Two Books

A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Wednesday, February 3, 2022
icefairy’s Treasure Chest
A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas
Thursday, February 4, 2022
BookShelfMomma
A book review of
Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas

Ablaze with Color Book Giveaway

Ablaze with Color: Book Giveaway

How to Enter

  • Fill out the required fields in the form above. It may take a moment to load.
  • You can also gain daily bonus entries.
  • The giveaway begins January 15, 2021, at 12:01 A.M. MT and ends February 15, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. MT.
  • The Giveaway is only open to legal residents of the United States and is void where prohibited by law.
  • Full Terms & Conditions above.

About the Book

Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas: Book Cover

Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey

Illustrated by Loveis Wise

Ages 4-8 | 40 Pages

Publisher: HarperCollins | ISBN-13: 9780063021891

Publisher’s Synopsis: 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 20th 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 backmatter with photos, an author’s and illustrator’s note, a timeline, and a list of sources and resources, which 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 PencilHidden Figuresand Mae Among the Stars.

Buy the Book
Jeanne Walker Harvey

About the Author

Jeanne Walker Harvey has been a longtime docent at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Just like Alma Thomas, Jeanne believes that art brings us joy. Her other picture books include Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines and My Hands Sing the BluesRomare Bearden’s Childhood Journey. Jeanne studied literature and psychology at Stanford University. She lives in Northern California.

Visit her online at www.jeanneharvey.com.

Loveis Wise: Illustrator Headshot

About the Illustrator

Loveis Wise is an illustrator and designer from Washington, DC. They are currently based in Los Angeles and their work often speaks to themes of joy and liberation. Their work can be found through the New Yorker, Google, Adobe, and the New York Times.

You can find them online at www.loveiswise.com.

Thanks for following along with us on the Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas awareness tour!

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January 15, 2022 at 12:34PM Bianca Schulze