Dinner at Aunt Connie's House by Faith Ringgold

Neither the members of Melody's extended family nor the dinner itself ever seem real, much less ``extra special,'' and the book concludes on an odd, gratuitously sentimental note as the two children discuss their future as a married couple years hence. But the surrounding pages are less impressive. The heart of the book-the pages in which the women tell their stories-is at once a magical and a ringing affirmation of their achievements. Ringgold's ( Tar Beach ) distinctive primitive style, with its thick strokes and resilient, varied colors, seems especially suited to portraying these women of exceptional substance and strength. From their frames on the wall, the pictured women tell of their devotion to civil rights (Rosa Parks and Fannie Lou Hamer), education (Mary McLeod Bethune), literature (Zora Neale Hurston) and other causes and professions. This year there are surprises as well: a newly adopted cousin her own age (``I fell in love with him the first time I saw him'') and a series of paintings of famous African American women. Family comraderie is also a part of the story.Melody loves the annual family excursion to Aunt Connie's house: everyone gets to go swimming, share a fabulous dinner and see an exhibition of Aunt Connie's most recent art. (You have to be there.) They have gone to their Aunt Connie's house for a big annual dinner and the display of her new art. Melody and her newly adopted cousin, Lonnie, visit and talk with the women in the paintings. Have fun grading these projects! Display them.Īs for Faith Ringgold's book, it is a celebration of women of color and the variety of things they have done in art, acting, writing, civil rights, education, public speaking, singing, leading, and cosmetics. Require a written report (but it is not to be read to the class)Ħ.

I would have mine do a powerpoint presentation using this book, one encyclopedia (if applicable), one book or magazine, or one internet article. Explain the assignment (as you determine best for your class). Make adjustments that suit your students.Ĥ. See search resultsfor this author Faith Ringgold(Author) 4. Assign one figure to a team of two (depending on class size). Dinner at Aunt Connie's House Hardcover Octoby Faith Ringgold (Author) Visit Amazon's Faith Ringgold Page Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Go through 'Faith Ringgold (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists)' to identify the artist and some of her other books.ģ.

'Dinner at Aunt Connie's House'-read aloud parts of book for introduction to historical figures.Ģ. Add Faith Ringgold (Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists) and there is the basis for another African American woman in the mix.ĭepending on the age group and your collaboration with your school media specialist/librarian, these are the things you can incorporate into a wonderful Black History project:ġ. What a wonderful book to have on hand during Black History month! It contains bright and bold colors in paintings of twelve beautiful African American women who tell us briefly about their lives and become the basis for longer collaborative work and projects by students.

Dinner at Aunt Connie's House by Faith Ringgold