Product Description

Illus. in full color."Mirandy is sure she'll win the cake walk if she can

catch Brother Wind for her partner, but he eludes all the tricks her friends

advise. This gets a high score for plot, pace, and characterization. Mirandy

sparkles with energy and determination. Multi-hued watercolors fill the pages

with patterned ferment. A treat to pass on to new generations."--(starred)

Bulletin, Center for Children's Books. Cassette running time: 20 min.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #495958 in Books
• Published on: 1997-01-13
• Released on: 1997-01-13
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780679883333
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
As a prefatory note explains, this picture book was inspired by a photo of the author's grandparents winning a cakewalk"a dance rooted in Afro-American culture"and her grandfather's boast that, in her dancing, his wife had captured the wind. In the book, Mirandy determines to catch Brother Wind and have him for her partner in the upcoming junior cakewalk. She tries a number of tactics springing from folk wisdom, and finally succeeds in trapping her prey in the barn. At the contest, Mirandy chooses to dance with her friend Ezelbut, with Brother Wind to do her bidding, the two friends win the cakewalk in style. Told in spirited dialect and rendered in lavish, sweeping watercolors, this provides an intriguing look at a time gone by. As a story, however, it proves somewhat disappointing. After the colorful description of cakewalking in the author's note and the anticipation created through Mirandy's own eagerness, the brief and rather static scenes portraying the dance itself are a letdown. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 3 Sultry watercolor washes in a realistic flowing style spread luxuriously and consistently over every two pages in this story set in the rural south. Young Mirandy wants to win her town's cakewalk jubilee, a festive dance contest. (According to the "Author's Note," this dance was "first introduced in America by slaves. . .and is rooted in Afro-American culture.") Everyone says that if she captures the Wind he will do her bidding, but nobody seems to know how to capture him. In the end, Mirandy does believe that she has captured Brother Wind, but she also proves that she is a true friend to clumsy Ezel. McKissack's sincere belief in the joy of living is delightfully translated into this story which concludes, "When Grandmama Beasley had seen Mirandy and Ezel turning and spinning, moving like shadows in the flickering candlelight, she'd thrown back her head, laughed, and said, 'Them chullin' is dancing with the Wind!' " A captivating story, with a winning heroine, told in black dialect. Gratia Banta, Germantown Public Library, Ohio
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap
Illus. in full color."Mirandy is sure she'll win the cake walk if she can catch Brother Wind for her partner, but he eludes all the tricks her friends advise. This gets a high score for plot, pace, and characterization. Mirandy sparkles with energy and determination. Multi-hued watercolors fill the pages with patterned ferment. A treat to pass on to new generations."--(starred) Bulletin, Center for Children's Books. Cassette running time: 20 min.

Customer Reviews

Lush Illustrations
An effort by these two terrific professionals is bound to have many good qualities. This won a Caldecott honor designation, and rightly so. Pinkney's watercolors are intricate, absorbing, a real pleasure. The multicolored dresses of girls at a dance are especially pretty. I notice he uses two motifs in his books, chickens and quilts. Both are included here.

This book begins with an author's note on the history of the cakewalk in African American culture. The story is based on a photograph of McKissack's grandparents, who won a cakewalk in 1906 before they married. The photo was taken after they won.

Mirandy is longing to win the upcoming cakewalk, but she needs a partner. Her friend, Ezel, might fit the bill but doesn't seem too keen on participating. He teases her that he is going with another girl. Mirandy thinks she will win the contest if she can capture Brother Wind, an imaginary character drawn like a bluish white ghost. His grace and speed are what she thinks it will take to finish first. Of course, Mirandy and Ezel end up together, and win the cakewalk with their sassy moves.

Can the wind be a partner?
This children's book, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, is about a young and joyous African-American girl who hopes to win a prize at a cake walk by capturing the wind as her partner. The story takes place around 1900 and is a beautiful view of a happy people. The book was a 1989 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children.

I do like this one
So Mirandy wants to win the "cakewalk", a dancing contest. She knows that if she captures Mister Wind she can get him to grant a wish, and that's just what she sets out to do - wish him into dancing with her. There's a very satisfying conclusion here, nothing much to say.