Dark Was the Night: Blind Willie Johnson’s Journey to the Stars
NY Times bestselling author Gary Golio and Caldecott Honoree E.B. Lewis bring the moving story of blues artist Blind Willie Johnson to light in this poignant yet uplifting children’s picture book.
Through the use of enchanting prose and galactic illustrations, Golio and Caldecott explore how Johnson touched humanity through his music despite his troubled past and blindness. Johnson sold thousands of records in the mid-20th century, but his records and story are often forgotten (though his hapless history was recounted in an episode of TV’s The West Wing).
Dark Was the Night resurrects in words and images a blues legend and tragic figure whose music and melancholy tale deserve to ripple through our culture for generations to come.
32 pgs, Penguin/Nancy Paulsen, 2020, $17.99 (hrd)
Families for Humanity: A Westchester Community Stands Together to Feed Neighbors in Crisis
Families for Humanity is a photo documentary by photographer Doug Schneider that chronicles the spirit of Westchester residents in the throes of a global pandemic. Schneider’s book provides images of 122 families spanning 15 Westchester communities, displaying differences in size, culture, ethnicities, and ages. Schneider’s moving photography displays an array of individuals experiencing a shared sense of uncertainty and discomfort. All the proceeds from this book are earmarked for On the Line, a local organization that engages area restaurants to help feed those struggling with food insecurity.
www.dougschneiderphoto.com
88 pgs, Self-Published, $50 (hrd)