Heidi Tyline King

A true 'strong woman,' an artist, an environmentalist. This book has stunning art, an adequate text, and a good author's note. I do recommend it.

When Betsch left her career as an internationally acclaimed opera singer to dedicate her life to saving the Florida beach her great-grandfather bought in the 1930s for African Americans, she painted her lips and fingernails orange as a reminder of the rope that separated Blacks from whites at Jim Crow-era beaches. When she died, hundreds of orange butterflies were released. The Caldecott Medalist Holmes celebrates this champion of color with wondrous multi-patterned collage.

Ekua Holmes' acrylic and collage illustrations are perfect for this story of MaVynee's efforts to clean up and save American Beach, which her great-grandfather had bought and made integrated when other beaches in Florida were still segregated.

Back matter includes author's note and illustrator's note.