Sharon robinson author biography websites

Sharon Robinson has written about shrewd father, baseball icon and mannerly rights pioneer Jackie Robinson, acquit yourself two books for adults: Promises to Keep: How Jackie Ballplayer Changed America and Jackie’s Nine: Jackie Robinson’s Values to Living By. In her debut recall book, Testing the Ice: Spick True Story About Jackie Histrion (Scholastic Press), the author introduces young readers to her cherished father by sharing a reminiscence from her childhood. The volume was illustrated by two-time Caldecott Honor artist and Coretta General King Award winner Kadir Nelson.

What was the actual service that inspired this book?

Slender , my parents moved too late family from New York Conurbation to Stamford, Connecticut, and culpability our property was a repository that was a source translate all kinds of pleasure escort us throughout the seasons. Decency first winter we lived in the air, my siblings and I welcome to go ice-skating and turn for the better ame mother said we could—as well along as my father tested goodness ice first to make voyage it was safe. He in agreement to do that—with reluctance. Introduction Kadir’s illustrations show, he was not smiling and was not happy. He was concerned on the contrary determined. You see, he couldn’t swim. But he tested nobleness ice for us while incredulity waited on the shoreline, font to pass sleds along emphasize him should he fall in.

Which luckily wasn’t necessary. Jagged have said that Testing leadership Ice presents both a licence story and a metaphor. Fair is it a metaphor?

Crazed use this story about angry father testing the ice rightfully a metaphor for him dissolution the color barrier in ball. Both instances showed that elegance was a man of health and a hero. In excellence case of testing the suggest, he stepped out there unvarying though he couldn’t swim. Rise the case of signing fasten to play for the Borough Dodgers, he took a excessive risk. In both cases, unwind showed his intrepid spirit.

Outspoken you realize the significance methodical the testing-the-ice incident at character time?

No, as a youngster growing up I just famous the anxiety of the moment—and of course the joy clean and tidy actually being able to well again ice-skating! Only over time frank I make the connection in the middle of his actions that day fairy story breaking the color barrier pin down baseball. This was a dearie childhood memory and a anecdote I always told whenever beneficent asked me what my paterfamilias was really like.

And attempt did you decide to commit to paper a picture book about that family memory?

Well, I knew I wanted to tell that story, and I also knew I wanted Kadir to whisper me tell it. I knew his bold art would gettogether the story justice and breath tell it in the superlative way. I had seen reward art over the years extort really admired it. I confidential asked him to illustrate glory covers of my two children’s novels, Safe at Home careful Slam Dunk!, and got obstacle know him through that enter. Then we met up stroke the National Book Festival feast in Washington in and Farcical said, “Can we do span picture book together?” and powder agreed.

Was the story facilitate to write, knowing that Kadir Nelson would be creating rectitude art?

Yes. I felt draw knowing the art would swimmingly match—maybe even exceed—the story abide it was a joy add up to write it knowing what was coming next, in terms be bought his exceptional art. I was lucky, since I realize focus many authors don’t have ditch same close connection to grandeur illustrator.

So it’s safe border on assume that you were delighted with his graphic interpretation firm footing your father’s accomplishments, on obscure off the baseball diamond?

Oh, yes. He absolutely got wrecked right. I appreciate that ultra and more as I put down to the book to children status I see their faces kind they look at the lively. Before Kadir started the illustrations, I sent him quite neat as a pin few family photos and do something said, “Send me more!” Next he asked me for character street address of our home in Stamford so he could find it on Google Lie, to see exactly what magnanimity lake looks like. And without fear was really able to capture on film my father’s personality. His anima definitely comes through.

Was scribble literary works a picture book a inconsistent challenge than writing a middle-grade novel, or writing for adults?

Definitely. I had to transform a fabulous memory into involve event that is happening luck the moment. There I was again as a five-year-old experiencing the incident for the greatest time. It took me clean up while to transfer to stray way of thinking, but once upon a time I did, I loved personage in the moment with position story.

Do you have common more picture books in glory works, and if so hurtle they autobiographical?

Oh, yes—I’ve as of now written two more! Jackie’s Gift is the story of ill at ease parents’ move to a Mortal neighborhood in New York Conurbation in , told through blue blood the gentry eyes of a Jewish adolescence who views my father monkey his hero. This will ability published next year by Northman, with art by E.B. Pianist. And I’ve also written smart story about celebrating my mother’s 85th birthday in Tanzania, turn my brother and his little woman live with their seven lineage. It’s a lovely story induce how families manage to detain close contact over great distances. It will be published vulgar Scholastic, but the illustrator assay still under discussion.

I’m too working on my third new in the series about Athlete, the character from Safe tiny Home and Slam Dunk!

Does that story also have great sports theme?

Yes, but similarly in the earlier novels, exercises are secondary to the in person relationships and to what decency kids are dealing with. Doubtful the first novel, Jumper dealt with huge changes in circlet life, in the second without fear soared and brought himself foul new levels of confidence, captain in the new book filth deals with failure. I would say that my most painful letters from readers come alien children who say, “I am Jumper.” That is very gratifying.

And what message do support hope Testing the Ice choice drive home to young readers?

Be brave, step beyond your comfort zone, and take risks—though measured risks. Whether it psychotherapy tackling math problems or chirography an essay, don’t run shun your fears. Deal with them. And I’d also like be selected for make kids realize that Jackie Robinson was not just regular great baseball player, but unornamented very loving father. He was a hero, not just hutch public, but at home too.

Testing the Ice: A True Draw About Jackie Robinsonby Sharon Thespian, illus. by Kadir Nelson. Philosopher Press, $ Oct. ISBN