The People Could Fly: The Picture Book

"THE PEOPLE COULD FLY," the title story in Virginia Hamilton's prize-winning American Black folktale collection, is a fantasy tale of the slaves who possessed the ancient magic words that enabled them to literally fly away to freedom. And it is a moving tale of those who did not have the opportunity to "fly" away, who remained slaves with only their imaginations to set them free as they told and retold this tale.

Leo and Diane Dillon have created powerful new illustrations in full color for every page of this picture book presentation of Virginia Hamilton's most beloved tale. The author's original historical note as well as her previously unpublished notes are included.

Awards for The People Could Fly collection:

A Coretta Scott King Award

A Booklist Children's Editors' Choice

A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

A Horn Book Fanfare

An ALA Notable Book

An NCTE Teachers' Choice

A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year

Author: Virginia Hamilton
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Published: 11/09/2004
Pages: 32
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.07lbs
Size: 12.10h x 9.36w x 0.38d
ISBN: 9780375824050
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 2.9
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 83239 / People Could Fly: The Picture Book


Award: Coretta Scott King Award - Honor Book


Review Citation(s):
Black Issues Book Review 07/01/2005 pg. 65
Booklist 09/15/2004 pg. 240
Kirkus Review - Children 11/01/2004 pg. 1044
Publishers Weekly 11/22/2004 pg. 58
School Library Journal 12/01/2004 pg. 130
Booklist 12/15/2004 pg. 731
Booklist Editors Choice/Adult 01/15/2005 pg. 773
Booklist 02/01/2005 pg. 971
ALA Notable Children's Books 02/15/2005 pg. 1015
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2005 pg. 773
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2005 pg. 112 - Recommended, Satisfactory
School Library Journal 04/01/2005 pg. 34
Essence 12/01/2007 pg. 128

About the Author
Virginia Hamilton, the first Black to win a Newbery Medal and the first children's book author to be awarded a MacArthur Genius Grant, won the Coretta Scott King Award for The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales. She died in 2002 at the age of 66.

Leo and Diane Dillon, recepients of two Caldecott Medals, have illustrated five books by Virginia Hamilton, including the original black-and-white illustrations in The People Could Fly collection, Many Thousand Gone, and Her Stories. Leo and Diane Dillon live in Brooklyn, NY.