Tar Beach

Faith Ringgold's Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning "Tar Beach" is a magical realism picture book set in 1939 Harlem. Eight-year-old Cassie Louise Lightfoot dreams of flying above her apartment building's rooftop, known as "tar beach." Through her imaginative flight, she claims the city's landmarks, including the union building, for her family, symbolizing a desire for freedom and overcoming the racial prejudice her father faces. This story, based on Ringgold's own story quilt, beautifully weaves together fiction, autobiography, and African American history, offering a poignant yet hopeful exploration of dreams, family love, and the power of imagination. It's ideal for children aged 4-11, sparking conversations about history, social justice, and personal aspirations.

Cassie Louise Lightfoot, eight years old in 1939, has a dream: to be free to go wherever she wants for the rest of her life. One night, up on "tar beach" --the rooftop of her family's Harlem apartment building--her dream comes true. The stars lift her up, and she flies over the city. She claims the buildings as her own--even the union building, so her father won't have to worry anymore about not being allowed to join just because his father was not a member. As Cassie learns, anyone can fly. "All you need is somewhere to go you can't get to any other way. The next thing you know, you're flying above the stars." This magical story resonates with a universal wish. Originally written by Faith Ringgold for her story quilt of the same name, Tar Beach is a seamless weaving of fiction, autobiography, and African-American history and literature. - Author website.