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Toni Morrison’s Most Powerful Picture Book Quote Ever

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Toni Morrison’s Most Powerful Picture Books

“Scary thoughts are your creation when you have no information.” – Toni Morrison, Please Louise.

 

There’s no better time than now, during black history month and beyond, to introduce young readers to the works of one of the greatest writers of all time. On February 18, Toni Morrison would have been 90 years old. I can’t think of a more wonderful way to commemorate her birthday than to dive deep into the children’s books she co-authored with her son, Slade Morrison.

Nobel Prize in Literature. Pulitzer Prize Winner. Eleven novels. Ten picture books. Four screenplays. World-renowned author Toni Morrison is best known for her novels. She is, however, not as well-known in the children’s books world even though she has made numerous contributions. Freedom is the thread theme in most of her books.

Yet her picture books were fun, light-hearted, and entertaining. She wrote in a way that made readers feel safe from start to finish, you could almost imagine her as Nana; the fun and spunky grandmother who gives her grandchildren all the freedom to enjoy the day, and then passes on a secret family recipe that leaves a great big mess but everyone is happy.

 

Top Toni Morrison Children’s Books

"Little Cloud and Lady Wind" By Toni Morrison - Book Cover

Other times she advocated for children’s freedom to have more room to explore and find themselves. In her book, Little Cloud and Lady Wind, Little Cloud has big dreams to go someplace different and become someone different. With a little bit of luck, she meets Lady Wind who believes in her and is committed to helping her little dream come true.

 

"The Big Box" by Toni Morrison with Slade Morrison - Book Cover

In The Big Box, Toni Morrison takes the reader into a world where growing fears, concerns and pressure boxes children in. The book acts as a mirror for adults who have plenty concern about children who can’t handle their freedom. The Big Box portrayed the harsh reality for children who do not conform to the grown up world. Free spirited children can identify themselves in this book.

 

"The Book of Mean People" By Toni & Slade Morrison

The Book of Mean People is a rare piece of work that gently explains ‘invisible abuse’ on the level that a child can understand. For children who know such experience, a simple tip is shared, “I will smile anyways”. Don’t let them get you down.

 

"Remember: The Journey to School Integration" By Toni Morrison - Book Cover

 

A more mature children’s book, Remember: The Journey to School Integration depicts a historical account of what it was like for the children who went through the school integration (where school became desegregated). The blend of pictures with storytelling narrates a part of America’s dark history and connects it to relevant, contemporary issues.

"Who's Got Game? Vol 1" By Toni Morrison & Slade Morrison

 

For comic book lovers, Morrison created a comic style format series that drew inspiration from Aesop’s Fables called ‘Who’s Got Game’. Who’s Got Game touches on issues such as bullying, how society places value on one’s worth, and friendship. They are filled with great dialogues and rhymes. Most importantly, these books would be great for a children’s philosophical discourse.

"Please, Louise" by Toni Morrison & Slade Morrison - Book Cover

Please, Louise is about a girl who knows the power of the mind. When she expresses her fears, she takes control of her thoughts and emotions, which massively influence her reaching her destination, a library.

As I turned each page, I imagined a guardian angel by Louise’s side. When her mind wandered and sought out something negative, Louise immediately corrected her negative thoughts to see it from a different and more positive angle.

Toni Morrison wished children and youth reading her work at earlier ages would build a love for knowledge and books. And it’s not just for children, there are many themes for adults to reflect on in her book. If there were such a thing as an adult book club for children’s books, some of her picture books would be on their lists.

Boy reading

Knowledge is Power

In Please, Louise, Morrison shares this powerful message: “Scary thoughts are your creation when you have no information.” Knowledge equips you with the power to set you free.

For most book lovers, the ending melts your heart. It sends the message that you always have a friend and a safe place to live and explore the world in a book. The sad and lonely girl transforms into a happy and content child in her solitude, surrounded by her new best friends.

Have you read one of Toni Morrison’s picture books? Do you agree that that line is her best quote in a picture book? Can you offer a better line? What are some of your favorite Toni Morrison sentences from her picture books? Share them on our Facebook page or comment below.

Check out all of Toni Morrison’s picture books below!

  • The Big Box (1999). ISBN 9780786823642.
  • The Book of Mean People (2002). ISBN 9780786805402.
  • Remember: The Journey to School Integration (2004). ISBN 9780618397402.
  • Who’s Got Game? The Ant or the Grasshopper? (2003),
  • Who’s Got Game? The Lion or the Mouse? (2003),
  • Who’s Got Game? Poppy or the Snake? (2004). ISBN 9780743283915.
  • Peeny Butter Fudge (2009). ISBN 9781442459007. page2image22614912
  • Little Cloud and Lady Wind (2010).
  • The Tortoise or the Hare (2010).
  • Please, Louise (2014). ISBN 9781416983385.

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