A few years ago, while looking for picture book biographies about Black Christian Leaders I searched high and low for a book about Fannie Lou Hamer, coming up short at every turn. So imagine my joy when The Good Book Company announced the release of their picture book biography about this woman of valor as apart of their ‘Do Great Things for God Series.‘
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Who was Fannie Lou Hamer?
Fannie Lou Hamer was one of the most influential voices behind the Civil Rights Movement. She was also a devout Christian, and her faith largely influenced the way she lead and advocated. She consistently condemned White people who promoted segregation, yet claimed to be Christian. She also did work to help poor people become financially independent in her work through the ‘Freedom Farm.’
She also played a major role in the woman’s right movement. She had been forcibly sterilized without her consent by a white doctor. This was such a common practice in her time, it was named the ‘Mississippi Appendectomy,’ and was used to lower the amount of poor Black people in the country. She called out this practice, as well as abortion for being tools used to control the lives of poor Black people. She called for systematic changes that would allow for all people to have abundant life.
What I love about this book:
As I mentioned, I have been on the search for a picture book biography about Fannie Lou Hamer. It is about time this woman of valor gets the recognition she deserves.
The book dives into Fannie’s biography, sharing about Fannie and her husband’s contribution to their local church, as well as her activism in the community. I appreciate the way this book shares the hardships she endured in an age appropriate way. They don’t candy-coat her life, but share in ways littles can grapple with.
It brings up how she had to stop going to school to help her family make money in the cotton fields.
I like the way that this book frames policies surrounding segregation at the time. Pointing to the fact that there were laws prohibiting the rights of Black people. It shows the light on systematic racism as opposed to simply focusing on racial prejudice, which is foundational in understanding racism as a social construct. It also directs attention to the subject of police brutality surrounding the Civil rights movement. While peacefully marching for the right to vote…
‘Mother Hamer and her friends where arrested and beaten by policemen, who were supposed to protect them.’
Throughout the book it shares about how Fannie Hamer’s faith played a roll in her activism. She knew that God was displeased with the injustices forced upon Black Americans. The book references this when discussing the testimony she gave to law makers in regards to changing voting laws.
Fannie Mae also has become an icon in the pro-life movement, as she believed ‘legalized abortion is legalized murder.’ The book shares this in age-appropriate ways, by referencing that Fannie Mae believed every child had the right to life. And the book shows more of her beliefs around this by highlighting the children she adopted, as well as her work through the ‘Freedom Farm.’ She believed valuing life meant more than simply offering the opportunity to breathe. It was about making way for an abundant good life. She preached this with her words and life.
What my kids loved
They loved the illustrations in this book. They are bold, thought-provoking, and accessible for children.
This book also opened up opportunity for conversation with my oldest about God’s Justice and the civil rights movement. During Black History Month, her school often highlights Black people who have made an impact on our country. This allowed us to talk about someone from Black History, how their faith propelled them to action, and God’s heart for justice. It also allowed us to converse about the ways Fannie Lou Hamer prompted people to pursue justice. To do what the Lord requires of us: ‘to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God’ (Micah 6:8).
Baby Devotions 