Painting For Peace in Ferguson

by Carol Swartout Klein

Overview

Selected for the International Literacy Association's Teacher's Choices Reading List

Winner of Independent Publisher's “Outstanding Book of the Year” IPPY Award

2015 Missouri Selection for Library of Congress National Book Festival

After months of tension something appeared on the streets of Ferguson that hadn’t been seen for a long time … HOPE.  Through poetry and art, award wining PAINTING FOR PEACE IN FERGUSON tells the true story of hundreds of artists and volunteers who turned boarded up windows into works of art with messages of hope, healing and unity in the aftermath of the Ferguson, MO riots. Written in verse, the book focuses on the way the community came together to begin the healing process through the Paint for Peace effort. Using illustration and photographs of the art and the artists —black and white, young and old—the book is a tool for beginning the conversation with children about how we all have something to contribute to healing our communities. As the last line in the book says, "The work is not finished, there's much more to be done. But this art shows the spirit of a new Ferguson."

Profits from book sales are being reinvested in the Ferguson community.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780989207997
Publisher:	Amphorae Publishing Group, LLC
Publication date:	08/04/2015
Edition description:	Second Edition, Second edition
Pages:	54
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.20(d)
Lexile:	NP (what's this?)
Age Range:	3 Months to 15 Years

About the Author

A journalist and marketing professional by training, Carol Swartout Klein grew up in Ferguson, MO, and was so inspired by witnessing the spirit of hundreds of volunteers coming together to bring hope to a community in shock that she wanted to capture the story and the art for posterity. Painting for Peace in Ferguson isa book that helps begin conversations with children and that inspires adults. In producing the book, Klein hopes that the connections formed between artists, business owners, and community members will be honored and strengthened.

Editorial Reviews

"The true story of the hundreds of artists and citizens who came together in the face of violence and darkness to create beautiful images of hope and peace."

Huffington Post

"I love this book! This book will do a lot to nurture the children in our community who were scared by the breaking windows and unrest. I plan to read this book to the 4-year olds I volunteer with each week. It's a great way to start ahealthy conversation with children of all ages that have questions about what happened in Ferguson and in the south city."

Dwayne Ingram

"In a time of explosive racial hostility and violence, Carol Swartout Klein has captured ahealing moment that reminds us of what is possible when we confront the sociallyconstructed barriers that separate us and work together as a community to express andcelebrate our shared humanness. Using a multi-textured array of colorful rhymes andimages, this book addresses complex issues in a language that even preschoolers canunderstand. Yet, it simultaneously conveys an authentic message of hope for a just andequitable peace that will resonate with people of all ages, all races, and all walks of life.Painting for Peace in Fergusonpresents us with a vision of freedom and fairness forwhich many have fought and died - a vision to which we all must aspire."

Leon Sharpe Founder & Principle - The Praxis Group Adjunct Professor - Webster University

“I actually cried when I first opened the book! Such a creative and uplifting vision of hope for a town that has been through so much violence and trauma. We are so happy to share this book with our community and hope it helps to foster love, understanding and change for a better, more diverse and creative world!”

Michelle Barron

"Talking to children, especially young kids, about the events in Ferguson can be a challenge. The new “Painting for Peace in Ferguson” can help start a conversation."

Jody Mitori

"'Painting for Peace in Ferguson' is the stunning result of a native artist's compassionate response to the boarded up storefronts of Ferguson that resulted from the violence and racism of 2014. 'Painting for Peace in Ferguson' shows the amazing results that stem from members of a community, black and white, coming together to create a new, vibrant, healing vision expressed through art, painted on the blank storefronts. A citywide Paint for Peace effort left all the blank storefronts transformed into dazzling, inspiring works of art with messages of peace, love, and racial harmony. The narrative poetry text of 'Painting for Peace in Ferguson' explains the central message: Empowerment, or, out of chaos and fear comes joy, love and transformation, a community determined to rebirth itself with healing love for differences at the core. The rainbow and black and white art works are amazing, overwhelming, full of hope. 'We must each do our part,' no matter how small. Funds from the sale of 'Painting for Peace in Ferguson' will go to the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation, to benefit North County area youth and art programs and business and employees affected by damage and loss of business."

The Art Shelf Midwest Book Review Children's Bookwatch

"The true story of the hundreds of artists and citizens who came together in the face of violence and darkness to create beautiful images of hope and peace." — Huffington Post

From the Publisher