Did you see the recent eBay auction featuring the 1941 children's book Parasols Is for Ladies by Elizabeth Ritter and Ninon MacKnight illustrator. The winning bid was $51. This is the story of three black girls who want parasols, but can't afford to purchase them. The book apparently is written (and illustrated) with negative stereotypes. Believe it or not, there's TWO Amazon.com reviews of the book, one 5 stars.
The University of Washington's Children's Literature Collection 2006 exhibit Images of Blackness in American Children's Picture Books, 1899 - 1999 included this book. You can print the 4-page PDF exhibit checklist by Kathleen Collins. Exhibit categories included:
- 1899 - 1939 Ridicule and Response
- 1940 - 1969 "The All-White World of Children's Books"
- 1970 - 1999 Black Voices Emerge
