Magnolia Flower

Starred review from August 1, 2022
Kendi (Antiracist Baby) adapts a short story by Hurston (1891–1960) in this visually stunning foray into folklore, as related by a mighty river to a babbling brook. Asked to tell of people in love, the river reminisces about Bentley, a Black man who escaped slavery, and Swift Deer, a Cherokee woman who fled “her own trail of tears.” They marry, living in “a whole village of runaways/... on an island of freedom/ in a vast sea of slavery,” and they have a daughter, Magnolia Flower, who arrives “at the time of the flowers opening.” In Magnolia’s lifetime, war over slavery comes and goes: “Black people walked/ free on the lands of Swift Deer’s ancestors.” Then John, a brown-skinned man who “had many words,” wins a now-grown Magnolia’s heart despite her father’s disapproval, and they take to the river to row away—returning 47 years later. Digital illustrations from Wise (The People Remember) make for a bountiful, nature-centered accompaniment to this romance set against the changing landscape of freedom for Black and Indigenous peoples. A historical note and author’s note contextualize themes of oppression, resistance, and love, as well as Hurston’s expertise in Black folklore. Ages 4–8.

September 1, 2022

Gr 2-4-Kendi admirably adapts Hurston's short story for younger readers, simplifying it to a sweet story of enduring love. The wise River tells the playful Brook the story of Magnolia Flower, a spirited young girl born to parents who escaped slavery and the Trail of Tears. When Magnolia Flower falls in love with the poor poet John, her father forbids the love match and Magnolia Flower is required to take matters into her own hands. A historical note offers details on the Maroon communities as portrayed in the story. In an author's note, Kendi discusses his love for Hurston's work and his wish to share it with his daughter. He creates an accessible story employing much of the original wording, but this is still best shared one-on-one in order for younger readers to grasp the meanings and imagery of the lyrical prose. Digital illustrations are a real complement to the story, creating a lush landscape filled with beautifully drawn flora. Bright pinks, yellows, and aqua blues fill each page and are a perfect accompaniment for lyrical text. VERDICT While this is a nice introduction to Hurston's work, many readers will be first drawn to the vibrant illustrations.-V. Lynn Christiansen

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2022
Grades 2-5 Dancing Brook begs mighty River to tell a story of humans in love, and it obliges. Long ago an enslaved man (Bentley) fled captivity for Florida, where he built a grand house, married a Cherokee woman (Swift Deer), and welcomed a daughter (Magnolia Flower). Later Sun and River bore a young man (John) with whom Magnolia Flower fell in love. Although Swift Deer approved of the match, Bentley did not, and so the young couple fled by way of River to live in freedom. Nearly 50 years later, the pair returns, delighted to be welcomed back by three leaning trees and River. Kendi's adaptation of Hurston's 1925 short story maintains much of the original's flavor and phrasing, minus the specific details of Bentley's mistreatment of Swift Deer and John. Wise's digital artwork resembles a collage, with multiple layers skillfully worked into each spread. Hues of green and blue predominate in these swampy environs, with the pink and yellow magnolia flowers serving as accents. This makes a pleasing introduction to Hurston's oeuvre.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2022
Kendi's (Stamped, rev. 5/20) adaptation of a short story by Hurston softens (or leaves out) the original's violence, adds elements that are explained in a historical endnote, and retains the narrative frame of a "Mighty River" telling a brook a story about people in love. The tale begins with Bentley, who escapes enslavement and marries Swift Deer, a Cherokee woman. They have a daughter they name Magnolia Flower, who grows up during the Civil War and falls in love with a brown-skinned man named John. Bentley doesn't approve of John and locks him up to keep the lovers apart. Magnolia Flower frees him and they run away. The story ends with their return to the banks of the river forty years later. Both the lyrical text and the flowing digital illustrations let the theme of love running through Hurston's stories shine. Wise's (The People Remember, rev. 11/21; Ablaze with Color, rev. 3/22) brightly colored images capture the beauty of the forest and the love between Magnolia Flower and John. In his appended author's note, Kendi explains his intention behind adapting a short story for adults as a picture-book text: "The earlier we expose our children to our literary treasures -- to our literary legends like Hurston -- the better." Nicholl Denice Montgomery

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from August 1, 2022
Scholar Kendi adapts a short story published by Hurston in the Spokesman in 1925. The Mighty River tells the whimsical, mischievous Brook the story of Bentley, who flees slavery for a Florida forest where Black and Native people live free together as Maroons. Bentley marries Swift Deer, a Cherokee woman who escaped the Trail of Tears, and they have a daughter named Magnolia Flower, who "came at the time of the flowers opening." When the Civil War ends, Magnolia falls in love with John, a Black man whom Bentley dislikes because he is poor. Bentley locks John up in their house to keep him away from Magnolia, but one night, Magnolia frees John and escapes with him by boat, making the Mighty River a part of their story. The tale comes full circle when Magnolia and John return 47 years later to reflect on and affirm their love. Deeply committed to sharing Hurston's writing with young readers, Kendi writes in his author's note about the elements of Black folklore in the story, such as making nature a speaking character. And, as he stresses in a historical note, the tale is a powerful example of Black and Native resistance--an aspect of history that far too often goes undiscussed. Wise's earth-toned, opalescent illustrations make the trees, water, and flowers feel just as key to the tale as the humans. The excellent marriage between lyrical text and stunning visuals makes for a moving, memorable story. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An artfully rendered tale of life and love that also conveys an essential but often overlooked chapter in U.S. history. (Picture book. 5-10)

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2022
Kendi's (Stamped, rev. 5/20) adaptation of a short story by Hurston softens (or leaves out) the original's violence, adds elements that are explained in a historical endnote, and retains the narrative frame of a "Mighty River" telling a brook a story about people in love. The tale begins with Bentley, who escapes enslavement and marries Swift Deer, a Cherokee woman. They have a daughter they name Magnolia Flower, who grows up during the Civil War and falls in love with a brown-skinned man named John. Bentley doesn't approve of John and locks him up to keep the lovers apart. Magnolia Flower frees him and they run away. The story ends with their return to the banks of the river forty years later. Both the lyrical text and the flowing digital illustrations let the theme of love running through Hurston's stories shine. Wise's (The People Remember, rev. 11/21; Ablaze with Color, rev. 3/22) brightly colored images capture the beauty of the forest and the love between Magnolia Flower and John. In his appended author's note, Kendi explains his intention behind adapting a short story for adults as a picture-book text: "The earlier we expose our children to our literary treasures -- to our literary legends like Hurston -- the better."

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)