This is the story of Opal Brown and her family and the events before the sensless Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921. It is discriptive of the different shops and people in the town which was made up all of people like Opal. Just a normal family where Mom bakes and cleans, Dad works in the garage, her brother delivers newspapers. Opal is given a very important job and has just learned how to ride her bike. The picnic for Memorial Day is today and Mom is making pies and realizes she is out of cinnamon. Opal very confidentally rides her bike to the store to get some. It was just a normal celebration day. Children should really read this book ages 7 up and have a discussion about it in school or home no matter what the race. The illustrations in the book add to the book alot in telling the story.

The art style used in this book is phenomenal. I cannot express properly how much I loved it. The story is a good introduction to the Tulsa Race Massacre for young kids. It stops right before it happens, so parents and teachers can introduce the topic and proceed according to how they feel is best for their child or the children in their classroom. Highly recommended!

This is a powerful book to celebrate one's community, home, and joy despite the tragedies faced.
In Opal’s Greenwood Oasis, we are introduced to the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma (AKA “Black Wall Street”) as it was in 1921. It is just before the Tulsa Race Massacre took place where Opal Brown provides descriptions of the historic businesses ( combined with the photographs used in Skip Hill’s mixed-media illustrations). It is vibrant, stunning!

Thank you, NetGalley and The Calliope Group for the arc for my honest review!

I just reviewed Opal's Greenwood Oasis by Najah-Amatullah Hylton and Quraysh Ali Lansana. #OpalsGreenwoodOasis #NetGalley

Oh, sweet Opal. I loved this book so much. It tells the story of an important time in Black history through the lens of a relatable narrator. I loved the illustrations as well as the Black joy and beauty that leaped off the page. Can't wait to read this book with my kids.

Told from the perspective of someone young readers can immediately relate to, Opal's Greenwood Oasis gives us a glimpse of everyday life for the inhabitants of Tulsa, Oklahoma's Greenwood community just before the events of the Tulsa Race Massacre. Bringing attention to this historic community is especially important with the event's 100th anniversary approaching this year, and with the current elevated racial tensions in the U.S. Despite the tragedy the book leads up to, there's no mention of it in the story itself, and a page at the end of the book is available to start a discussion with readers who may show interest in and be ready for such conversations.

The book itself takes us on a beautiful and picturesque journey through what everyday life in Greenwood would have been like. From the gorgeous illustrations to the descriptions of weekends, we see a close-knit and vibrant community, celebrating holidays together as a neighborhood rather than in their own small pockets of people. Joys of many small moments culminate in collages of vintage photographs drawn over with fluid ink hatching, watercolor portraits, quilt and wallpaper patterns, and blocks of vibrant color. Greenwood looks alive, like the vital and energetic oasis it must seem to Opal, like we could step right into the pages.

Being from the south myself, the storytelling feels very southern to me, with an easy rhythm and a gentle hospitality that invites us to experience Opal's days with her. It's easy to imagine sitting on porches to catch up, running errands before stopping for a burger, and lending a hand during the chaotic calm leading up to a big family-style picnic.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in picture books highlighting Black history, beautiful mixed media art, and engaging slice-of-life storytelling.

5/5 stars (I would give more if I could.)

Warning: This book addresses a very real and very horrific event in history. The very last page of this book will not be appropriate for young children. The rest is fine though.

Genre: Children's Biography

Description:

The year is 1921, and Opal Brown would like to show you around her beautiful neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Filled with busy stores and happy families, Opal also wants you to know that “everyone looks like me.”

In both words and illustrations, this carefully researched and historically accurate book allows children to experience the joys and success of Greenwood, one of the most prosperous Black communities of the early 20th Century, an area Booker T. Washington dubbed America’s Black Wall Street.

Soon after the day narrated by Opal, Greenwood would be lost in the Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the worst acts of racial violence in American history. As we approach the centennial of that tragic event, children have the opportunity through this book to learn and celebrate all that was built in Greenwood.

Pros:

- Absolutely stunning artwork.
- Wonderful descriptions and details.
- Written beautifully, it really teleports you there.
- The last page addresses the Tusla Race Massacre in a very factual and real way.

Cons:

- Not a thing. This is easily one of my favorite books I have the pleasure of reading pre-release.

Would I recommend it?

100% YES!

Review will be posted to my bookstagram and GoodReads on Feb 1.
Rating: 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!!!!!!!!!
Book: Opal’s Greenwood Oasis
Release Date: TOMORROW Feb 2, 2021
Author: Najah-Amatullah Hylton and Quraysh Ali Lansana
Genre: Children's Fiction | History | Multicultural Interest

Most all of us have heard about the horrific, unimaginable horrors of The Tulsa Race Massacre in Greenwood. While this book does refer to what happened back then (on the last page) it focuses on the days leading up to the massacre. We get to see, from Opal’s point of view, how it was living in Greenwood. I really like this take on the book and the appropriateness for children to see how wonderful the people of Greenwood lived. One of my favorite lines in the book- “…you might be surprised to know that everyone looks like me.” I cannot wait to introduce this book to my class of 3rd graders before we discuss the actual massacre. I think this book is appropriate for children 2-13 years old.

Thank you to @NetGalley and @PenguinRandomHouseCanada for an advanced copy of @OpalsGreenwoodOasis

#OpalsGreenwoodOasis #PenguinRandomHouseCanada #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #AmazonReads #childrensfiction #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #teacher #educator #classroomreads #blackcharacter #history #multiculturalinterest #representationmatters

Really interesting book - not at all what I expected. the collage photo/drawing art is excellent; I thought this style both drew you into the story and reminded you that the places were real. The plot was fun with a feeling of foreboding, and when the book ended abruptly with just an afterword that covered the horrific Tulsa Race Massacre, I was initially caught off balance. It seemed off to me that the massacre wasn't covered more by the book. But I think that's the point. Just like the art, the story helps us connect to the human lives that were destroyed by the massacre and opens up the possibility of learning more.

What an engaging and powerful way to discuss the Tulsa Race Massacre, by ultimately not talking about the event, but rather seeing what was lost and destroyed by connecting the reader to a character living a beautiful full life in Greenwood, Oklahoma. I knew what the book was about and yet, somehow as I worried about little Opal on her first solo bike ride, I forgot, and instead was so relieved when the cinnamon made it home safe and sound, that the reality of what happened next was jarring and heartbreaking . The 32 page book complete with a historical page at the end is perfect for grades 2nd and up and should be read and discussed in homes and classrooms. The book takes place not so very long ago and the struggles are still present today. The illustrations are a mix of styles and colors that will engage the younger readers and allow older readers to understand the reality of how similar all people are and see how horrific much of America's past is in dealing with minorities, particularly Blacks.

I enjoy that the narrator of this particular story of Greenwood is a child, and that the entirety of that story takes place before the massacre. I enjoyed the art style - the inclusion of photos and the collage style were lovely. I think this is the sort of title to be read or taught alongside others, to show both what was and what would become.

I received an electronic ARC from The Calliope Group through NetGalley.
Hylton takes readers through a typical day in Opal's life in Greenwood, Oklahoma in 1921. This book personalizes the people who lived in Greenwood and offers a narrator that younger readers will connect with. They will identify with many of her activities and lifestyle. Opal shows readers her family and town as they prepare for the Memorial Day annual picnic. Older readers will pick up on the tensions mounting throughout the story and sense that something is going to happen. Sadly, it was just after this story that the Tulsa Race Massacre occurred. Hylton includes information on this event at the end of the book. I would have liked more references for readers to follow but the story stands as is. Definitely a discussion starting point to share about this tragedy.

it was ok i didnt really like the graphics or how it was. I was expecting something different so i would not use htis

In the picture book Opal’s Greenwood Oasis, authors Najah-Amatullah Hylton and Quraysh Ali Lansana introduce young children to life in the Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa, Oklahoma, just before the infamous 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. The authors tell a successful and happy story of life in Greenwood—businesses, jobs, school, and church--and of third-grader Opal Brown’s family’s preparation for the Memorial Day picnic that preceded the race riot. When Opal’s mother cannot find the cinnamon needed for her baking, Opal saves the day by riding her bike to the store, providing an opportunity for the authors to tell more about Greenwood and to show how young Opal became the heroine of the day.

Only twice do Hylton and Lansana hint at the impending tragedy. The first of those times has meaning only to someone who knows the background history, and the second only hints at trouble. Early Memorial Day morning, Opal and her dad wave to neighbor Dick Rowland as he heads to work in the white part of Tulsa. Later in the day Opal and her family see Rowland running like he is being pursued, and the father tells Opal and her brother Sammy that he has heard something happened between Rowland and a white girl running a elevator. He also advises both Opal and Sammy not to talk about Rowland, especially at the picnic. This second reference to the fleeing Rowland provides an opportunity for parents or teachers to provide whatever historical information they deem appropriate for the age of the children reading or listening to the story.

Following a happy ending of their story at the picnic, Hylton and Lansana provide one more page, a brief history of the burning of Greenwood by angry whites that night. Depending on the age of the children, this page could be omitted or paraphrased as adults consider appropriate.

For the most part, this is a pleasant story of a successful black neighborhood and loving family. For young black kids, it would be an inspiring story of what their people achieved and can achieve. However, this story should also be read to or by young white children as a positive portrayal of a black society and a lesson much needed today. As Opal says, “In Greenwood, we have everything we need, and it might surprise you to know that everyone looks like me.”

Tulsa artist Skip Hill brings Greenwood to life with his outstanding multimedia collages that combine photos of historic Greenwood and its residents with original artwork.

Thanks to NetGalley and Calliope Press of Tulsa for making an advance reader copy available for review. I highly recommend Opal’s Greenwood Oasis to parents, teachers, and librarians.

This was a lovely book and I loved reading Opal's story.

The book was well written and it had a lovely flow to it. I thought that the illustrations were spot on and they really brought it all to life. Knowing now what as to happen and the tragedy that occurred after and it did make me wonder how Opal and her family would have been affected by the events that took place just after this book finished.

It is a poignant reminder of the past, and also to a degree what still occurs today too and why movements like Black Lives Matter are key to changing the status quo and ensuring that we move on and learn from the past.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended and one that left me with food for thought!

I requested a review copy of "Opal's Greenwood Oasis" thinking it to be a kids' picture book and a different style of cover design. I was not aware of the traffic event of the "Tulsa race massacre".

The book is about a small girl and her family going for an annual Memorial day picnic. The story seems cute tool on the last page. The gory details of the massacre were given at the end for the reader's reference. It shows how a happy and prosperous neighborhood in Oklahoma was ruined overnight.

Coming to the artwork, it was different from other books I read to my child. I am not sure the name of the style but it was unique.

Overall a good book but I cannot judge its ratings for the kid's section. Still, I am giving 3 out of 5.

Opal's Greenwood Oasis is a beautiful story of a thriving Black community, and a day in her life. The book concludes with the event that sparked the Tulsa Race Massacre in 1921, and includes an afterword with more information. I highly recommend this book. I teach high school social studies and often use children's books in my classes. I will be adding this to my collection!

I love reading this small storybook based on true events just before the Tulsa Race Massacre which is being described as one of the worst acts of racial violence in American history.


Told from the perspective of a young girl, this story talks about the community she's living in and how peaceful and caring it is.


I really love the illustrations and the admirable art work. It reflects so much of street art.

Let's be human and not make others feel uncomfortable because of their race and background.

Thank you, authors and the publisher, for this precious copy.

This book is fantastic!! Nothing I say can do justice for the artwork and storytelling put into this. Opal tells her story of everyday life in her community of Greenwood district in Tulsa. Everyone help each other and cares for other. A thriving and happy community. As adults we know what happened there, and the story gently ends on that tragic day in May of 1921. I am blow away by this book. I don’t feel like I can put into words how poignant and heartfelt the story. Absolutely a must for all classrooms!
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley and The Calliope Group for kindly providing me with a digital copy of this book for review.
I loved this book. And I loved it for many reasons. First and foremost I think it’s so important to have history books for children that covers everyone’s history, the good and the bad. What I also liked about this book was the mix media of artwork and actual photos. I think this will really help children understand that the Tulsa Race Riots were real events and not just made up for this story book. Reading this book I was holding my breath and waiting for the riots to explode, knowing the history beforehand. However, what the authors do is very clever and they spend the majority of the book building a safe and cosy picture of what life was like in the prosperous black town of Tulsa at that time prior to the riots. This contrasts sharply with the last page of the book that shows the burnt out aftermath of the riots. There isn’t a lot of information on the riots themselves, but I don’t think that is the point of the book- I think the point of the book is to illustrate how quickly the town was transformed from this safe and prosperous heaven for black people, into the desolation following the riots. In other words how quickly something can be destroyed by hate. I think this book has been very sensitive towards its young audience and presents the history in a way that is not going to scare them, but educate them honestly about a very upsetting episode in past events.

This is my second picture book about the Tulsa Race Massacre and I am in love (with the book, not the events, to be clear). There is such a need for this book and I am so grateful to have read it. Helping kiddos understand our history is wildly important. The illustrations are insanely cool - both art and photographs. Love this!