Heart & Soul: The Story of America
and African Americans
Kadir Nelson

Kadir Nelson at a
We Are The Ship Interview

This book represents a tremendous achievement for the award winning author and illustrator Kadir Nelson. It tells a story of hope, courage and inspiration. Told by the voice of a African American female elder who speaks in a calm, collected and patient tone that displays the quiet power that it took to survive. It also features the stunning artwork and portraits of famous African Americans such as Joe Louis, Frederick Douglass and many others in a manner that has earned Kadir Nelson respect and admiration worldwide. His images show the strength and integrity many of his subjects are known for.

The book takes the reader on a journey from slavery all the way up to the election of our 44th President and 1st African American President, Barack Obama. It Contains 108 pages of inspirational words and amazing artwork. Publisher’s Weekly’s review summed up best with the following words:

This inspiring book demonstrates that in gaining their freedom and equal rights, African Americans helped our country achieve its promise of liberty and justice—the true heart and soul of our nation.

Order Your Copy Today

View our: Kadir Nelson Art Gallery

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1. Change Has Come by Kadir Nelson – Featured Book
2. Kadir Nelson Interview: We Are The Ship
3. “Family Tree” by Kadir Nelson: Featured Art Print

“Mama Miti: Wangari Maathai and the Trees of Kenya” by Donna Jo Napoli and illustrated by Kadir Nelson is our featured book of the week due to the works of art created by Mr. Nelson for the children’s book and its ethnic theme.  Below you will find a summary of the books contents, sample images from the book and much, much more.

Book Summary

Wangari is from Mount Kenya.  She grew up there learning about the land and the people that inhabited it.  Since she was a child, Wangari always had a love for trees.  There were so strong and beautiful and they always made her smile.

Wangari began planting trees to strengthen her spirit and soul.  She also encouraged  the women who came to her for help to do the same.  Wangari changed her country by planting tree after tree until the countryside was filled with trees and Kenya was strong.

This book is inspired by Wangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize recipient.  It will educate, touch and and inspire all who read it.  It’s author is Donna Jo Napoli and the book is illustrated by Kadir Nelson.  His incredible collage illustrations brighten the book and honor the land and the woman who saved it.

One woman. One seed.
One hope for the future.

Thayu nyumba — Peace, my people.

Buy The Book Now!

Images from the Book

[[Show as slideshow]]

The Creators of the Work

Kadir Nelson – Illustrator

Donna Jo Napoli – Author

About Wangari Maathai

[[Show as slideshow]]

 Wangari Muta Maathai is a Kenyan environmental and political activist. She was educated in the United States at Mount St. Scholastica College and the University of Pittsburgh, as well as the University of Nairobi in Kenya. In the 1970s, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, an environmental non-governmental organization focused on the planting of trees, environmental conservation, and women’s rights. In 2004 she became the first African woman, and the first environmentalist, to receive the Nobel Peace Prize for “her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace.” She is of Kikuyu ethnicity.

Buy The Book Now!

Other Books Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Related Posts:

1. Kadir Nelson Interview: We Are The Ship
2. “Family Tree” by Kadir Nelson: Featured Art Print
3. Change Has Come by Kadir Nelson – Featured Book

This video is a trailer for the book “Change Has Come” by Kadir Nelson.  It is a book that commemorates the achievement of our 44th President.  The book features illustrations by Kadir Nelson, an award winning African American artist and illustrator based in San Diego, California and the words of Barack Obama.

Official Product Description

The black and white images throughout are personal reflections, uniquely felt and rendered by award winning artist Kadir Nelson. They are accompanied by the uplifting words of Barack Obama and commemorate the movement and the moment that have changed our history. It’s a celebration of the power of inspiration. It’s a celebration of how far we have come and how determined we are to look ahead. It’s a celebration of pride, hope and joy personally felt and publically shared. Most of all it’s a celebration of the 44th president – a new president and a new chapter in the American story.

Purchase the Book at: Amazon.com

Additional Video

Hear Kadir Nelson Speak About The Book

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1. “Family Tree” by Kadir Nelson: Featured Art Print
2. Kadir Nelson Interview: We Are The Ship
3. New Black Heritage Stamp by Kadir Nelson

Postal Service unveils new stamp tonight in Birmingham
By: Birmingham News

The U.S. Postal Service will unveil in Birmingham tonight the 32nd stamp in its Black Heritage series.

USPSNew stamp in Black Heritage series The stamp, honoring Anna Julia Cooper, will be displayed for the first time at the 92nd anniversary reception for the Journal of African-American History.

Cooper, an educator, scholar, feminist and activist, fought for social justice and civil rights for black women, young people and the poor through her scholarship, community outreach and innovative educational leadership.

The stamp features a portrait of Cooper created by Kadir Nelson, who based his painting on an undated photograph.

Additional Resources

Anna Julia Cooper: George Washington University Biography

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1. “Family Tree” by Kadir Nelson: Featured Art Print
2. Kadir Nelson Interview: We Are The Ship

Title: Family Tree
Artist: Kadir Nelson
Size: 25×33 inches
Medium: Limited Edition Lithography
Edition Size: 850
Price: $225.00

Our featured art print for this week is “Family Tree” by Kadir Nelson.  Kadir Nelson is a well known artist who has not only blessed us with his fine art prints but has also used his tremendous skills to illustrate books, design stamps for the United States Postal Service and more.  Enjoy this print and visit our Kadir Nelson Art Gallery to view his other works.

Related Posts:

1. Kadir Nelson Interview: We Are The Ship
2. Featured Art Print: Embrace by Doyle
3. Featured Art Print of the Week: July 21, 2008

1. Kadir Nelson Biography
2. Kadir Nelson Art
3. Kadir Nelson Books and More!

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