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“We will walk until justice runs down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.“

“She was not frightened. She was not going to give in to that which was wrong.“

This is a picture book that tells the story of Rosa Parks and her brave act of refusing to give up her bus seat. The theme of courage and justice is shown through simple, powerful text and bold, colorful illustrations. The words highlight Rosa‘s quiet strength and how one small action can change history. This book is a clear and inspiring way to teach about standing up for what is right.

I am in a fourth-grade history class. I would definitely use this book in a history lesson that covers the importance of the civil rights movement. Students will get to hear and see how one woman left an everlasting impact on history.

I enjoyed reading this book. This is a Caldecott Award winner. This book is a tribute to the civil rights movement and the impact that Rosa Parks made in history.

Auntie, are you going to move?”

I would use this book to discuss the impact rosa parks had and how to stand up for what you believe in.

Rosa is a powerful story about Rosa Parks and how she stood up for her rights by refusing to give up her seat on the bus. The book shows her bravery and how it helped start the Montgomery Bus Boycott. I liked it because it teaches about courage, fairness, and fighting for what is right.

“She had been riding the bus for years, but this time she decided to take a stand.“

“She was not frightened. She was not going to give in to that which was wrong.”

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni can be used in the classroom to teach students about the Civil Rights Movement and the power of individual action in creating change.

This book is a Caldecott winner and was published in 2005. Rosa by Nikki Giovanni is a powerful tribute to Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement. It‘s a moving book that encourages readers to reflect on courage, equality, and the importance of standing up for what is right.

Rosa can be used in an early childhood classroom to teach children about fairness, standing up for what is right, and treating everyone with respect. Teachers can read the story to start discussions about rules, equality, and helping others. The book can also inspire activities like role-playing peaceful problem-solving or creating art that celebrates courage and community.

“It is called education because it is learned.“

Caldecott Honor Book
Published in 2005
Rosa by Nikki Giovanni tells the story of Rosa Parks, who bravely refused to give up her seat on a bus, helping to start the Civil Rights Movement. The writing is clear and powerful, and the illustrations are colorful and moving. The book shows how one person‘s courage can inspire many others. It‘s a great choice for young readers to learn about standing up for what is right, and the impact of Rosa Parks.

I would use this book for an elementary classroom. This would be a great book to introduce the Civil Rights Movement, spark discussions about fairness, courage, and standing up for what‘s right, and connect history to students‘ own lives.

I would use this book with older students (3rd grade being the youngest). I would use Rosa to teach about the Civil Rights Movement. It is good at showing what was happening at that time.

“Rosa knew that sometimes you have to be brave, even when it‘s hard, to make the world better.”

“She had not sought this moment, but she was ready for it.”

This book would be a great read aloud to introduce the Civil Rights Movement in social studies. It could lead to discussions on segregation, activism, and the importance of standing up for what is right.

This would be a great book to use when teaching about the civil rights movement. You can connect how the figure or changed history are also everyday people, they just dared to stand up for what was right.

“They needed someone to speak for them, to give voice to the injustice.“

Rosa is a story that can teach students about bravery and taking a stance for something that they believe in. I think that this story does a great job of showing that Rosa Parks was just a normal woman who lived her life one day at a time just like we do but her bravery and courage sparked change all around the United States.

This Caldecott-winning 2005 picture book offers a fresh look at Rosa Parks‘ well-known bravery during the civil rights movement. Giovanni shows Rosa not only for her famous act on the bus but also as an everyday woman whose courage changed everything. The clear, accessible language gives readers a new perspective and reminds us that we can all be brave like Rosa.

This book falls under the genre of a Caldecott Award winner and was published in 2005. This book follows the story of Rosa Parks, an African American woman who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. This act of defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. The book offers young readers an accessible entry point into understanding civil rights history.

“She had not sought this moment but she was ready for it. When the policeman bent down to ask ‘Auntie, are you going to move?‘ all the strength of all the people through all those many years joined in her. She said, ‘No.‘”

“She realized she was tired. Not tired from work but tired of putting white people first.”

“The integrity, the dignity, the quiet strength of Rosa Parks turned her no into a YES for change.”

I‘d use this book in grades 3–5 during Black History Month or a civil rights unit. It pairs well with lessons on courage, fairness, and how one person‘s action can inspire community change. Students could create art collages of “everyday heroes” in their own communities, inspired by Bryan Collier‘s style.

This is a Caldecott Honor picturebook. It was published in 2005. Bryan Collier uses watercolor and collage to create rich, layered illustrations. His art blends realistic portraiture with symbolic imagery. Giovanni‘s text develops Rosa‘s story not just as an isolated act of defiance but as part of a broader community struggle.

This book would be great for elementary-aged children because it explains themes and important historical events in a way that makes it easy for children to grasp and understand.

“She had not sought this moment but she was ready for it. When the policeman bent down to ask “Auntie, are you going to move?” all the strength of all the people through all those many years joined in her. She said, “No.”“

“Rosa sat down and refused to move. She sat for all of us.”

Caldecott Medal Winner (2005): Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Bryan Collier, is a powerful tribute to Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Giovanni‘s lyrical text paired with Collier‘s stunning collage illustrations capture both the courage of Parks and the collective strength of the movement. It‘s an inspiring book that brings history to life for young readers while honoring a pivotal moment in civil rights.

Rosa is an invaluable resource for teaching civil rights history, in particular the Montgomery Bus Boycott, by framing Rosa Parks as both a person and a participant in a collective movement. Its accessible yet richly nuanced narrative, paired with stunning illustrations, makes it ideal for discussions around justice, activism, and brave choices.

Rosa is a powerful tribute to Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. With moving words and stunning illustrations by Bryan Collier, it honors Parks‘ courage and shows children how one act of bravery can spark change. An inspiring read that brings history to life.
Genre: Caldecott Medal winner

I would use this book in a middle/upper elementary classroom to teach students about Rosa Parks.

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni is a Caldecott winner, published in 2005. Its powerful, lyrical tribute to Rosa Parks, beautifully complemented by Bryan Collier‘s radiant cut-paper illustrations. The book dives beyond the single act, placing Parks within the broader civil rights movement and capturing her quiet strength and courage that sparked monumental change.

Caldecott Award Winner (2005) Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, illustrated by Bryan Collier, is a powerful picture book honoring Rosa Parks and her courageous stand on a Montgomery bus. With poetic text and striking collage art, it captures the strength of the Civil Rights Movement and shows how one act of bravery can inspire change. A moving story of justice, dignity, and hope for young readers.

I can use this book in an upper elementary classroom when discussing the Civil Rights movement. More specifically I could have students do a study on Rosa Parks and evaluate how her bravery changed the trajectory of freedoms and rights people of color now have because of her heroism.

Caldecott Winner - Rosa (2005) by Nikki Giovanni is a powerful tribute to Rosa Parks and her pivotal role in the civil rights movement. Through vivid, poetic language and striking illustrations by Bryan Collier, the book honors Parks‘ courage and quiet strength in standing up against injustice. It‘s an inspiring and accessible story that educates and empowers young readers.