We’re excited to celebrate the upcoming release of Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou, the first in-depth picture book biography of Maya Angelou, ahead of the fiftieth anniversary celebration of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
Writer, activist, trolley car conductor, dancer, mother, and humanitarian–Maya Angelou’s life was marked by transformation and perseverance. In this comprehensive picture-book biography geared towards older readers, Bethany Hegedus lyrically traces Maya’s life from her early days in Stamps, Arkansas, through her work as a freedom fighter to her triumphant rise as a poet of the people.
A foreword by Dr. Angelou’s grandson Colin Johnson describes how a love of literature and poetry helped young Maya overcome childhood trauma and turn adversity into triumph. Coupled with Tonya Engel’s metaphorical and emotive illustrations, this biography beautifully conveys the heartaches and successes of this truly phenomenal woman, and offers a powerful tribute to the written word.
In anticipation of the release, take a look behind the scenes as author Bethany Hegedus and illustrator Tonya Engel walk us through the meanings behind the imagery in Rise! as well as the powerful message behind Dr. Maya Angelou’s life and legacy.
Here’s what reviewers had to say about Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou:
“This deeply important story will foster further discussion around racism, sexual abuse, and courage.”
–Kirkus Reviews
“Rhythmic words render a rich snapshot of Maya Angelou’s remarkable rise.”
–Publishers Weekly
Haven’t pre-ordered yet? You can pre-order a signed copy of Rise! From Caged Bird to Poet of the People from BookPeople and receive a free poster with your order. You can also pre-order from your favorite bookstore.
You can find more information about this title here.
You can find the Teacher’s Guide here.
How has Maya Angelou’s work helped you Rise? Share your experience in the comments below or on social media with #RISEMayaAngelou
