Amazing Grace

Based on the picture book by Mary Hoffman and illustrated by Caroline Birch, Amazing Grace uses simple iconographic animation and lovely narration by actress Alfre Woodard to tell the story of Grace, a young black girl who loves stories--whether from spoken tales, books, or movies--and likes to act out the various parts at home. Grace dresses up and plays Joan of Arc, Mowgli, Aladdin, and Long John Silver, but when her school holds auditions for a production of Peter Pan, a couple of Grace's classmates inform her that she cannot play Peter because a) she's a girl, and b) she's black. Saddened, Grace tells her mother and grandmother about what happened at school, and they reassure her that she can be whatever she wants. I won't give away the ending, but let's just say this is an uplifting and edifying story that reminds viewers that we mustn't let others set our limitations. Highly recommended for libraries who are actively using public performance video for children's story hours. Ages 3-9. (R. Pitman)