Bright April facts for kids
![]() First edition, 1946
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Author | Marguerite de Angeli |
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Illustrator | Marguerite de Angeli |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Genre | Children's novel |
Published | 1946 (Doubleday & Co) |
Pages | 88 pp |
OCLC | 8739451 |
Bright April is a special children's book from 1946. It was written and illustrated by Marguerite de Angeli. She later won a big award, the Newbery Medal, for another book called The Door in the Wall.
Bright April tells the story of a young African-American girl named April. She learns about unfair treatment because of her race. But the book also shows her happy personality. It shares the excitement of her tenth birthday and a wonderful surprise. The story takes place in the Germantown area of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. You can still recognize places from the author's pictures today!
This book was very brave for its time. It was one of the first children's books to talk about racial prejudice. This was a challenging topic for books back then. You can find some digital pictures from the book in the Marguerite de Angeli Collection. Bright April is also available to borrow from the Open Library. A new edition of Bright April was published in November 2020.
Contents
Discovering Bright April's Story
This book invites young readers into April's world. It shows her daily life and big moments. The story helps us understand what it was like for children in the 1940s.
Who is April?
April is a cheerful and kind young girl. She is excited about turning ten years old. She loves being a Girl Scout and spending time with her friends. April's family is also a very important part of her life.
A Special Birthday
April's tenth birthday is a big event in the story. She looks forward to it with great excitement. Her family plans a wonderful surprise for her. This special day brings joy and new experiences.
Facing Challenges with Courage
The book gently introduces the idea of racial prejudice. April experiences moments where she is treated unfairly. These moments help her learn about the world around her. The story shows how April and her family deal with these challenges. It highlights the importance of kindness and understanding.
Learning About Fairness
Bright April helps kids think about fairness. It shows how people can be treated differently. The book encourages readers to be accepting of everyone. It teaches valuable lessons about empathy and respect.
The Author and Her Art
Marguerite de Angeli was both the writer and the artist for Bright April. Her illustrations are very detailed and warm. They help bring April's world to life for readers.
Marguerite de Angeli's Work
Marguerite de Angeli wrote many books for children. She was known for telling stories that were both fun and meaningful. Her books often explored important social topics. She wanted her stories to help children understand the world better.
Her Famous Newbery Medal
In 1950, Marguerite de Angeli won the Newbery Medal. This is one of the highest honors for children's books in America. She won it for her book The Door in the Wall. This award shows how important her stories were.
Why This Book is Important
Bright April holds a special place in children's literature. It was brave to discuss racial prejudice when it did. This made it a pioneering book for its time.
A Look at History
The book gives readers a glimpse into American history. It shows what life was like for some families in the 1940s. It helps us understand how society has changed over time.
Messages for Today
Even though it was written long ago, Bright April still has important messages. It reminds us to be kind and fair to everyone. It teaches us to celebrate differences. These lessons are still very important today.
Where to Find the Book
You can still find and read Bright April today. It continues to be a beloved story for many.
Digital and Library Access
Some parts of the book, like digital images, are available online. You can also borrow the book from the Open Library. This makes it easy for many people to read it.
New Editions
The book was republished in 2020. This means new readers can discover April's story. It shows that the book's messages are still relevant.