Tar Beach: Faith Ringgold's Award-Winning Picture Book For Kids

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold is an inspiring story about a young African American girl, Cassie Louise Lightfoot, who dreams of being able to fly above her family’s rooftop and away from the struggles of life in Harlem. The story is beautifully illustrated with quilt-like paintings, making it an engaging and visually stunning read. With its themes of freedom and overcoming obstacles, Tar Beach is sure to captivate readers of all ages.

The vibrant illustrations bring the story to life, allowing readers to picture themselves on the rooftop with Cassie as she imagines her own version of the American Dream. The book also provides an interesting look into African American history and culture, featuring brief descriptions of real-life events such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Great Migration. Additionally, Tar Beach has been praised for its empowering message about resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

Overall, Tar Beach is an uplifting and thought-provoking read that will provide readers with a unique perspective on African American history and culture. It’s no wonder that this children’s book has become a classic since its publication almost thirty years ago! In the next part of our review, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the features that make Tar Beach stand out among other books in its genre.

Table of Contents

Tar Beach Review

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold is an inspirational and delightfully illustrated story about a young girl’s dreams of freedom. This captivating tale is sure to become a favorite with readers of all ages.

Key Features:
1. A classic story of courage and hope
2. Beautifully illustrated pages
3. An empowering message for readers of all ages
4. Winner of the Coretta Scott King Award
5. Age appropriate for children ages 4-8

Tar Beach is the perfect book for introducing children to the power of dreaming big and believing in themselves. Written and illustrated by acclaimed author and artist Faith Ringgold, this wonderful story will capture your heart from the very first page. The main character, Cassie Louise Lightfoot, finds strength and courage in her dreams as she imagines flying over the rooftops of her Harlem neighborhood on Tar Beach. With her family close by, Cassie learns that anything is possible with hard work and determination. As she soars through the night sky, she discovers freedom like never before and discovers a new found confidence in herself.

The illustrations bring this beautiful story to life with vibrant colors, making it a joy to read time after time. Parents can use this story as a way to introduce their children to real-life issues such as racism, poverty, and perseverance while also providing them with a positive message about achieving their goals no matter what obstacles they may face. Tar Beach is an inspiring story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.

Product Details

Product Name	Author	Publication Year
Tar Beach	Faith Ringgold	1991
Publisher	Format	ISBN-13
Crown Books for Young Readers	Hardcover	(978-0517885444)
Description:
Cassie Louise Lightfootdreams of flying above her family’s Harlem roof to the moon and beyond, in this Coretta Scott King Award winner.
Awards Won:
Coretta Scott King Award (1990)

Tar Beach Pros and Cons

Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold is a classic children’s picture book that has been captivating readers for over 30 years. It tells the story of Cassie Louise Lightfoot, an 8-year-old African American girl who dreams of flying and takes her family on adventures to escape the struggles of everyday life.

Pros:
1. Beautiful: Tar Beach features stunning illustrations that bring the story to life and transport readers to a magical world.
2. Inspiring: The story of Cassie Louise Lightfoot is both inspiring and empowering, showing young readers that anything is possible with hard work and determination.
3. Educational: Tar Beach provides a great opportunity for parents and teachers to talk about race, identity, and social justice with their children in a fun and engaging way.

Cons:
1. It may be too advanced for younger readers as it deals with some difficult topics such as racism and poverty.
2. The text may be difficult for some readers as it contains some complex vocabulary.
3. Some of the themes may not be appropriate for all audiences, so it’s important to preview the book before sharing it with young children.

Who are They for

Tar Beach is an iconic story by renowned author and artist Faith Ringgold that has become a classic of children’s literature. It was first published in 1991 and has been reprinted countless times since. The story follows Cassie Louise Lightfoot, a young African American girl who creates a magical world for herself on the rooftop of her family’s Harlem apartment building. In this world, she can fly above the George Washington bridge and “possess” it as hers.

The story is beautifully illustrated with vibrant, bold colors, making it a visual feast for readers of all ages. Ringgold’s use of collage-style artwork brings an extra layer to the narrative, further emphasizing Cassie’s dreams and aspirations. At its heart, the story celebrates family togetherness and encourages readers to imagine the possibilities of what they can achieve when they follow their own dreams.

In addition to its beautiful art and inspiring message, Tar Beach also serves as an important reminder of the power of stories to move people. By telling stories like this one, we can help shape our future by opening our eyes to different perspectives and possibilities.

My Experience for Tar Beach

I was walking on the beach one day, feeling the warm sun on my face and listening to the waves crashing against the shore. Suddenly, I saw something in the sand – it was a Tar Beach! I was intrigued by this mysterious object, so I picked it up to take a closer look.

I could feel something special about this Tar Beach, as if it had some kind of magical power. I couldn’t explain it, but I knew that I had to find out more about this thing. So I took it home with me and decided to do some research.

I started by reading all about Tar Beach on Amazon. It turns out that this amazing product is actually a quilted tapestry designed by Faith Ringgold! The vibrant colors and bold patterns were absolutely breathtaking, and I just knew that this was going to be an amazing addition to my home decor.

So I hung up my Tar Beach, and let me tell you – it was like nothing else I had ever seen before! The tapestry lit up my entire room with its brilliant colors and intricate designs. It was like stepping into another world every time I looked at it.

Now, whenever I need a reminder of how beautiful life can be, all I have to do is glance over at my Tar Beach tapestry and everything feels alright again. And that’s why I’m so glad I found my very own Tar Beach.

What I don’t Like

Product Disadvantages:

1. Limited use of language – Tar Beach is written in simple language, which may not be suitable for advanced readers.
2. No illustrations – The book does not have any illustrations which may make it less appealing to younger readers.
3. Lack of cultural context – The story lacks contextual information that would provide insight into the African-American culture depicted in the book.
4. Short length – At only 32 pages, the book is too brief to provide a thorough exploration of its themes and characters.

How to Enjoy Tar Beach with a Group of Friends

Tar Beach, by acclaimed artist Faith Ringgold, is an inspiring and thought-provoking book that captures the joys and struggles of growing up in Harlem during the 1930s. With its unique visual style and beautiful story, this children’s book will take you and your friends on a journey through the eyes of Cassie Louise Lightfoot as she embarks on an adventure to explore the freedom of the night sky from her rooftop tar beach. Here’s how to get the most out of Tar Beach when enjoying it with a group of friends:

First, make sure everyone has their own copy of the book. Before diving into the story, get together and talk about what you know about Harlem during this time period. Then, discuss the themes presented throughout Tar Beach such as family values, dreams, and how Cassie envisions a brighter future for herself. After that, open your books and start reading!

Try to take turns reading each page aloud while discussing your thoughts and feelings on each scene. For added fun, assign each person to find an image from Tar Beach that captures their favorite moment or theme from the book. Take turns explaining why you chose it and what makes it so special. Finally, end your session by reflecting on what you’ve read together and how it applies to your lives today.

By following these steps, you can easily enjoy Tar Beach with a group of friends! It is sure to be an amazing experience that will bring everyone closer together.

Questions about Tar Beach

What is Tar Beach?

Tar Beach is an award-winning children’s book by Faith Ringgold, which tells the story of eight-year-old Cassie Louise Lightfoot and her family, who live on the rooftop of their Harlem apartment building. The story celebrates African American culture and explores themes of freedom and family.

What age group is Tar Beach suitable for?

Tar Beach is most suitable for children aged 6-10, however it can be enjoyed by all ages.

What awards has Tar Beach won?

Tar Beach has been recognized with several awards including the Coretta Scott King Award, the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award, and the Boston Globe/Horn Book Award.

Does Tar Beach have any other language versions?

Yes, Tar Beach has been translated into many languages including French, Spanish and Japanese.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.