Change Has Come: An Artist Celebrates Our American Spirit by Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

This book is a celebration.

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.

Children's Literature

Kadir Nelson, award-winning illustrator of books such as Henry's Freedom Box and We are the Ship, offers a tribute to our newest president, Barack Obama. To the text of speeches Obama has given (including his keynote at the Democratic National Convention in 2004 and the speech on the night of his election), Nelson has added eloquent pencil drawings of the man, the movement, and the people affected by this historic election. The book opens with a small sign that says "Vote" and ends with an illustration of a young African American holding a sign that says "Hope." This pair of signifiers well sums up what the election of our first African American president meant to millions here and abroad. The chosen text and the accompanying drawings reignite the inspiration offered by Obama and help remind us, in these dark economic times, that we can change things, both through the vote and through our own actions. Nelson has given us yet another gift of his art, honoring the American people as well as our president. This is a worthy addition to any collection, library or personal. Reviewer: Paula McMillen, Ph.D.

School Library Journal

Gr 1 Up

Weaving Obama's words with his own extraordinary graphite drawings, Nelson has created a moving celebration of the election of our 44th president. The opening pages set the stage for the change that is inspiring America, with simple lines of voters drawn across the spreads of this small book: "It's the answer told by lines/that stretched around schools and churches/in numbers this nation has never seen." In "A Note from the Artist," Nelson explains his motivation for creating this beautiful book: "I hope the artwork will remind all who see it of the greatness of our country and its ability to grow and change for the better." The book's powerful, optimistic message will continue to remind Americans about who we are as a nation and what we can accomplish together: "This is your victory. Change has come to America." A worthy addition.-Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI

Kirkus Reviews

Two-time Caldecott Honor winner Nelson here gives up his studied compositions and meticulous applications of color in favor of quick, emotion-laden graphite sketches that commemorate Barack Obama's groundbreaking campaign and victory. Set to Obama's own words, gathered from several speeches given from 2004 to his acceptance speech on Nov. 4, 2008, the illustrations neatly provide visual accompaniment to the oratory. A long line of patient voters stretches across two-and-a-half pages before the next turn reveals citizens in voting booths, as the text reads, "It's the answer told by lines / that stretched around schools and churches / in numbers this nation has never seen." Martin Luther King Jr. leads a march in another spread; the page turn reveals the White House. The wee trim size, creamy stock and ornately loopy typeface gives the volume both intimacy and ceremonial weight. The unabashed feeling conveyed in every loose line helps to make this a lovely memento, just in time for Inaguration Day. (Picture book. All ages)

Product Details