Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

Though he was told that he would never be able to read and write well, Elijah Cummings defied his naysayers to become an honored figure in American politics and an especial champion for children and education.In this picture-book biography, readers learn that Elijah Cummings was one of seven children born to his parents, Ruth and Robert Cummings. The Cummings left the racist South and settled in Baltimore, Maryland, where Cummings would spend the rest of his life. The book follows Cummings from his childhood, when he first realized he wanted to study and practice law, through his acceptance and graduation from Howard University and his political career in Maryland and as a congressman, to his death. Readers come away with many facts about and direct quotes from Cummings, but more importantly they will also glean why so many loved him. Weatherford and Freeman paint a tender picture of the leader that shows his sensitivity and concern for others, rooted in his religion, that spanned his entire life. The book opens with a speech written by Nancy Pelosi, and the backmatter includes an excerpt of a statement from the Congressional Black Caucus. There's also a timeline of Cummings' life, a bibliography, and the sources of the direct quotes made by Cummings on each spread. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Pays due honor to Elijah Cummings' memory and his dedication to the people he served. (Picture book/biography. 5-9)

ALA Booklist (Thu Apr 28 00:00:00 CDT 2022)

Elijah Cummings, civil rights activist and man of faith, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, and the first African American legislator to lie in state in the U.S. Capitol, started out as the son of former sharecroppers and was told he would never learn to read or write. This stirring offering from Newbery medalist and Caldecott Honor Book author Weatherford emphasizes how Cummings always followed his dreams. Multiple anecdotes highlight how Cummings continually fought to improve conditions for his constituents and how he was fixated on creating a better future. The nuanced, page-filling illustrations include supporting details and perfectly capture the uplifting tone, deftly integrating quotes from Cummings and other luminaries. Additional matter includes excerpts from eulogies delivered by Nancy Pelosi and from the Congressional Black Caucus, a time line, and a bibliography of mostly adult-level newspaper and media sources. There's a tremendous amount of information packed into this eye-catching, attractive picture-book biography. Young readers will also find inspiration and discover a great role model.

Horn Book (Thu Oct 03 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Elijah Cummings's parents, who worked as sharecroppers in South Carolina, moved north to Baltimore to raise their children. "Although the Cummingses struggled to feed their family," the seven siblings were taught to value education, hard work, faith, and service. At eleven years old, the future congressman embarked upon his lifelong quest for justice when he helped to desegregate a city swimming pool. Each spread features a quotation from Cummings ("The librarians and books...helped me define myself as a human being"); the key point is expanded in a paragraph or two of text. Accompanied by strikingly vivid illustrations, this biography of the iconic social justice activist and political leader is sure to inspire readers of all ages. Statements by Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Black Caucus are included. A timeline and bibliography are appended.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

Though he was told that he would never be able to read and write well, Elijah Cummings defied his naysayers to become an honored figure in American politics and an especial champion for children and education.In this picture-book biography, readers learn that Elijah Cummings was one of seven children born to his parents, Ruth and Robert Cummings. The Cummings left the racist South and settled in Baltimore, Maryland, where Cummings would spend the rest of his life. The book follows Cummings from his childhood, when he first realized he wanted to study and practice law, through his acceptance and graduation from Howard University and his political career in Maryland and as a congressman, to his death. Readers come away with many facts about and direct quotes from Cummings, but more importantly they will also glean why so many loved him. Weatherford and Freeman paint a tender picture of the leader that shows his sensitivity and concern for others, rooted in his religion, that spanned his entire life. The book opens with a speech written by Nancy Pelosi, and the backmatter includes an excerpt of a statement from the Congressional Black Caucus. There's also a timeline of Cummings' life, a bibliography, and the sources of the direct quotes made by Cummings on each spread. (This book was reviewed digitally.)Pays due honor to Elijah Cummings' memory and his dedication to the people he served. (Picture book/biography. 5-9)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Interspersing direct quotations throughout, Weatherford offers a thoughtful biography of Black civil rights advocate and congressman Elijah Cummings (1951-2019), who represented Maryland-s seventh congressional district from 1996 until his death. This thorough profile traces formative influences in Cummings-s life in straightforward prose, from former sharecropper parents who moved the family to Maryland (-They had faith that God was leading them to a place where their children would have a better chance in life-) to supportive librarians and employers who assisted Cummings along his journey toward becoming an influential lawyer, politician, and advocate for social justice. Freeman-s stylized, photorealistic art, rendered digitally in a bold color palette, emphasizes interpersonal communication in clear vignettes, immersing readers in this edifying survey of Cummings-s life and the events that shaped him from childhood. Front matter includes 2019 remarks by Nancy Pelosi; back matter includes a timeline, bibliography, and quote sources. Ages 6-9. (Jan.)