A Lady Has the Floor: Belva Lockwood Speaks Out for Women's Rights

This is an engaging introduction to a woman unknown to many, young and old, giving some insight into her adventurous personality. Her quotes are integrated into the illustrations, executed in oils with a crackle varnish, with a look reminiscent of 19th-century folk art. Soft blues and browns predominate in the na ve paintings, lending to their antique appearance. An excellent, well-researched model of its genre, which will inspire children to do whatever they desire in life, no matter what immediate restrictions exist. - Kirkus Reviews - starred review

Hannigan presents an invigorating account of the life of Belva Lockwood...Working in her distinctively crackled folk style, Jay depicts powerful moments of resistance and courage from Lockwood's life. Endnotes provide a timeline...highlighting significant events in the ongoing fight for women's rights. - Publishers Weekly, starred review

Young Belva Lockwood was afraid of nothing...and refused to be silenced. Students will...be amazed at the fearlessness of this unsung champion of equal pay, equal opportunities, and equal respect for all. Highly Recommended. - School Library Connection, starred review

Hannigan thoroughly details Lockwood's many triumphs, beginning with her childhood and young adult years, and concluding with her unsuccessful, though impressive, run for president. Nearly each page offers a quote from Lockwood's speeches and writings and most resonate with today's political climate...A time line provides dates and pertinent facts about the subject and the accomplishments of other women in law and politics. Lockwood's struggles against great odds in the name of freedom are well outlined in this work. A fine addition to nonfiction collections. -School Library Journal

Belva Ann Bennett Lockwood managed to rack up a string of women's 'firsts' by storming the gates during a period in which Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony could seem somewhat passive in comparison. Jay('s) folk-art style with elongated figures, (and) muted tones... convey a sense of antiquity. - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Alison Jay has been drawing and painting since she was a child. She is the illustrator of many picture books, including If Kisses Were Colors by Janet Lawler and Listen, Listen by Phillis Gershator, and is the author and illustrator of Bee and Me. Alison lives in London, England.