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I just finished this picture book & I thought, hey I got time. So let’s do some critical analysis! THE OLDEST STUDENT: HOW MARY WALKER LEARNED TO READ is a new book by Rita Lorraine Hubbard & Oge Mora. My library has it as non-fiction. But a lot is “imagined.” We’ll get to that.
First of all this is an #ownvoices title in that both the author and illustrator are black and I think that gives a lot of depth to the way topics are discussed for a child audience.
I love the inclusion of photographs at the BEGINNING of the book. That’s brilliant and helps readers connect to this real, life person. Nice sneak-peekinto Mary’s life.
Okay first spread sets the mood. Just look at that TEXTURE. 
Woo boy. Oge Mora is a master at understanding textures and how to combine them effectively on spreads. Paint texture plus textured cut collage paper. I could swim (fly?) in those sky-brush strokes!
Woo boy. Oge Mora is a master at understanding textures and how to combine them effectively on spreads. Paint texture plus textured cut collage paper. I could swim (fly?) in those sky-brush strokes!
Love the cool colors of this palette. They work really well together. But notice the faces of the enslaved people. They are sad. Mary herself almost always has a downturned/sad face, throughout her life. This is one major criticism I have of the visual storytelling in this book.
Right after that last spread is the line “Mary’s father had died, and the family was on its own.” Well let’s pick at that a bit. I’d argue perhaps they weren’t “alone.” Yes they lost a central figure but let’s give more agency to Mary’s mother? Black women as heads of family! 
Here Mary is sad. She’s stressed. She’s exhausted. She had a hard life of work during AND after slavery. But man, I KNOW that there had to have been joy!! Showing that (visually) is crucial. Black people have always struggled to survive but we ALWAYS find ways to make joy. 
As I mentioned earlier, this #ownvoices book does a pretty good job at looking at slavery, sharecropping as a form of slavery and the power of the black church in black lives. Black church as an anchor. The Bible is important to Mary.
Damn. Look at the layout of this spread. 
So balanced. So clean. Those colors. Looks how Mora breaks up the text on the page and gives VOICE to the Evangelist-lady. Also look closely...Mary doesn’t look as sad (finally!) with the Bible-book in her hands.
So balanced. So clean. Those colors. Looks how Mora breaks up the text on the page and gives VOICE to the Evangelist-lady. Also look closely...Mary doesn’t look as sad (finally!) with the Bible-book in her hands.
So after Mary’s first husband dies (yeah she went THRU IT) there is a line “But the only other jobs available to black women were as maids or nannies or cooks.” 
That’s not true. Yes this WAS the early 1900S but black women were teachers, in higher ed, entrepreneurs, etc!!
That’s not true. Yes this WAS the early 1900S but black women were teachers, in higher ed, entrepreneurs, etc!!
I think this page is brilliant. Whole MOOD. Mora depicts Mary’s husband and sons as blue/green. We immediately understand that this means they have died & are no longer physically with Mary. Otherworldly...but still with her.
Yo, she sad again. 2 things here: (1/2) The squiggly lines. I love how throughout the book, Mora takes the reader along the journey with Mary as she learns to read. We see words as SHE SEES them. As squiggly lines! That’s brilliant. They don’t become clearer until later.
(2/2) As Mary peers out the window, we see the line “Can’t read,” she said. “Can’t write. I don’t know anything.” Well damn. I mean. First of all, did Mary Walker really say that?! Also this woman was POWERFUL. She had so much knowledge. This line is very frustrating to me...
Also this woman was POWERFUL. She had so much knowledge. This line is very frustrating to me...
Finally Mary’s face is more upturned/neutral when she decides to learn how to read. Okay GO MARY! She decides that it is her time 
I mean. Just WOW. Absolutely gorgeous balance of textures and great layout, use of collage and color scheme. I’m dreaming along with her. So much detail! Look at her writing. Her glasses set to the side. She must’ve gotten frustrated and balled up that paper to her side...
Finally!! We get a full smile when Mary Walker learns to read & she’s being celebrated. Woo hoo! And words on buildings are now legible in the illustrations. She can read and so can we!! (the reader). 
FINAL THOUGHTS: As Mary Walker would say “You’re never too old to learn” and boy am I glad to know her now! Another figure in black history. Another black woman to look up to. 
I had some issues with a few lines in this book & the visual representation of Mary always looking down & sad UNTIL she learns to read. Yes this was her life goal + many barriers stood in her way (including racism), but would’ve loved more visual joy thoughout her long, full life
In author Rita Lorraine Hubbard’s author’s note, after she says that NOT MUCH is known about Mary’s life, she says “I chose to imagine other details to fill in the blanks.” Hmmm this is why I wonder if this is truly “non-fiction.” I would love more facts abt Mary! :)
I really enjoyed learning about Ms Mary Walker and I recommend this title with the caveat of encouraging young readers to look at the visual representation of people & to think deeply about the lines. What could’ve been told differently? Lots of history to discuss too!
and I recommend this title with the caveat of encouraging young readers to look at the visual representation of people & to think deeply about the lines. What could’ve been told differently? Lots of history to discuss too!
All images in this thread are Schwartz & Wade’s (PenRan) and are not mine. I used them only for review purposes. 
Thanks for joining me!
Thanks for joining me!
