This Is the Rope

Praise for This is the Rope: 

* “Woodson’s (Each Kindness) gentle, unpretentious writing and Ransome’s eloquent artwork breathe life into this story of a close-knit African-American family and their pursuit of a better life . . . The chronicle of a homely object in an age of disposables and the sense of place Woodson and Ransome evoke make this an especially strong and vibrant fictive memoir.”--Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Expressive oil paintings illustrate the clean, well-cadenced text in scenes that include well-researched period details . . . There’s no doubt of the warmth and strength of the family ties that bind these individuals together.”—Booklist

“The rope becomes a symbol of family tradition and continuity against a backdrop of historical and social change. Woodson’s understated but eloquent text gives specific details of one family’s experience, while Ransome’s rich oil paintings provide historical context.”—The Horn Book

“A warm family saga of a household united by love, pride and an uncommon heirloom. The repetition of the title in a nursery-rhyme style will resonate with young listeners. Ransome’s vivid, full-bleed, double-page–spread oil paintings create an upbeat, welcoming vista of rural South Carolina and urban Brooklyn . . . A quiet affirmation of a strong and close-knit family that, along with so many other African-Americans, found a better life as part of the Great Migration.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Spare, eloquent . . . A beautifully told family tale about a loving, close-knit African-American family over several decades . . . The language is deliberate and lyrical. . . . Landscapes indicative both of the changing geography and the passing of time . . . remarkable, with light falling on faces at the perfect angle and facial features carrying abundant emotion. Young listeners . . . [will] be drawn to this warm and hope-filled tale.”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“A poignant, realistic, generational story. Woodson masterfully weaves a tale of an African American family’s move from the rural south to New York City . . . Ransome’s beautifully rich oil paintings add depth and interest . . . The perfect picture book to include in a study of The Great Migration . . . An excellent tale to include in a study of family histories. It is a picture book to savor as a read-aloud.”—Library Media Connection