Carole Boston Weatherford on Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show

In this post, we feature multi-award-winning author Carole Boston Weatherford, whose widely acclaimed titles include Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre, illustrated by Floyd Cooper, which was named the winner of the Coretta Scott King Book Author Award, a Caldecott Honor Book, a Sibert Honor Book, and many other awards. You can hear her speak about her new picture book, Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show, illustrated by Eric Velasquez, and try her “invitation to imagine” activity. You’ll also find other resources to explore. Thanks for joining us, and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Carole Boston Weatherford and the cover of Outspoken.

Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show

Written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Eric Velasquez
Published by Candlewick Press
Release date: March 27, 2024

A true Renaissance man, Paul Robeson rose to prominence during the Harlem Renaissance. While he was known for his extraordinary vocal, dramatic, and oratory skills, he was also an accomplished athlete, a bright intellect, and a passionate supporter for humanitarian causes. He displayed his talents on many stages: the pulpit, where he filled in for his minister father; on debate, football, baseball, basketball, and track teams; in college and law school classrooms; on the theatrical stage and the silver screen; and behind the podium. Paul Robeson became internationally renowned as a singer and actor, and as his fame grew, so did his unflinching activism against racial injustice. He used the power of his voice to speak out as America’s conscience, but when his nation was not yet willing to listen, he found a more supportive reception abroad—in Africa, Great Britain, and the USSR. In this moving birth-to-death biography, Carole Boston Weatherford’s poetic first-person narrative, interlaced with excerpts from African American spirituals, pairs with dynamic illustrations by Eric Velasquez, capturing Paul Robeson’s commanding presence. Back matter includes a time line, source notes, and bibliography for readers inspired to learn more.

An interior image from Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show showing Paul Robeson in a suit standing on a stage with black-and-white images behind him showing 4 scenes from his early life. A long text poem fills the right-hand page.

An interior image from Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show showing Paul Robeson in the bottom right-hand page reading into a CBS radio microphone while behind him, the spread shows a large ship, an American flag, and images of Black men in combat uniform.. A long text poem called "Ballad for Americans" appears on the left-hand page.

Explore Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show

Listen to Carole Boston Weatherford talking with TeachingBooks about creating Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show. You can click the player below or experience the recording on TeachingBooks, where you can read along as you listen, and also translate the text to another language.

Invitation to Imagine

TeachingBooks asks each author or illustrator on our Virtual Book Tour to share a writing prompt, a drawing exercise, or just an interesting question to spark curiosity and creativity. Enjoy the following activity contributed by Carole Boston Weatherford.

Imagination Activity with Carole Boston Weatherford

In the poem, “The Little Black Boy,” Paul Robeson recalls his early memories. Some incidents he recalls only because others shared their recollections with him. Write a poem sharing four of your earliest childhood memories, including one anecdote that you recall only because someone shared the story with you. Each memory should be a mini-story—an anecdote—with a beginning, middle, and end. Write the poem in free verse. Do not rhyme. End the poem with two or three lines from a song that echoes your poem’s sentiment or setting.

Finish This Sentence . . . with Carole Boston Weatherford

As part of our Virtual Book Tour, TeachingBooks asks authors and illustrators to complete short sentence prompts. Enjoy Carole Boston Weatherford’s response.

“A favorite question from a young reader is…”

A favorite question from a young reader was “Who made that stupid rule?” The question was in response to a read-aloud of one of my books about racial segregation.

“My favorite books as a young reader were…”

My favorite books as a young reader were Harriet the Spy, by Louise Fitzhugh and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, by Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond. At a time when the James Bond 007 attaché kit was considered a so-called boy toy, Harriet’s spy notebook empowered me. In middle school, I loved the semi-autobiographical book, The Learning Tree, by Gordon Parks, whom I would later profile in a children’s picture book.

More Connections to Carole Boston Weatherford and Outspoken: Paul Robeson, Ahead of His Time: A One-Man Show

Explore all of the titles featured in the TeachingBooks Virtual Book Tour: one link with author interviews, lesson plans, activities, and more!

All text and images are courtesy of Carole Boston Weatherford, Eric Velasquez, and Candlewick Press and may not be used without expressed written consent.