| Title | : | Ice Breaker: How Mabel Fairbanks Changed Figure Skating |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 080753496X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780807534960 |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 32 |
| Publication | : | Published October 1, 2019 |
Ice Breaker: How Mabel Fairbanks Changed Figure Skating Reviews
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A simple biography of pioneering Black figure skater Mabel Fairbanks. Orphaned and homeless in New York in the 1930s, a woman took Mabel in in exchange for babysitting. Mabel loved to look out at the ice skaters in the park but when she went to an indoor rink, she was told no people of color allowed. It didn't stop her and she found a coach, the groundbreaking and much more familiar Maribel Vinson Owen. Mabel persisted and became a show skater and coach to Tai Bablilonia and Randy Gardner, and mentored Kristi Yamagucci and others.
The information in the story is pretty basic. It left me, as an adult reader, wanting to know more. Unfortunately the bibliography is sparse and Google didn't turn up much either aside from stories about her death and the recent financial award named after her.
For a child, it's enough to inspire them. Perhaps Star Andrews will merit a longer biography when she's older. She's the first recipient of the Mabel Fairbanks Skating Yours Fund.
I do not like the illustrations. The illustrator works in animation and it shows. The cartoony, computer drawn style isn't my thing. The pictures are bright and colorful and I sort of recognize some skaters at the end! I guess the illustrator gets credit for looking up those skaters and what they looked like when they were skating. The book needs to be updated to add a page about the fund with an illustration of Starr Andrews.
There's an "about Mabel Fairbanks" note at the end, a glossary of figure skating terms (one of which I did not know, they don't comment on anything except jumps these days) and a selected sources section. -
Highly recommended for elementary schools and libraries. This is a touching and inspiring true story of figure skating’s first African-American star, Mabel Fairbanks. Age appropriate and accessible portrayal of racism and discrimination. Touching treatment of her resilience and determination for the sport she loved. This book had me in tears during read-aloud to my children, which speaks to the power of the author’s writing to bring this heroine’s story to life for young readers.
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When Mabel a young child living in New York City discovers her hearts joy - ice skating it is all she wants to do. On the ice is where she belongs. But it is 1930 and people of colour were not allowed to skate at the local ice skating rink. Mabel is refused entry, but this does not deter her and she goes on to fulfill her dream. With gorgeous illustrations that show the beauty of ice skating and the human spirit Ice Breaker is a must read book for every child that has ever been told that they can't follow their dream.
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Mabel Fairbanks was drawn to the ice at a young age, but African Americans weren't allowed to skate in competition. She skated in different entertainment venues and then took up coaching, urging the Los Angeles Figure Skating Club to admit African American members. This is a winning biography about a woman athlete breaking barriers.
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Ice Breaker reminds us there is still work to be done. There are some who will disagree with this assessment. Point of views are based on experience, knowledge and true evaluation. Ice breaker is about battle and sacrifice. Mabel does not get to have her entire dream but she put mechanisms in place so that one day others who faced the same discriminations as she would have training and opportunity. Here it is the brink of 2020 and these situations occur. For those who believe we live in a colorblind society-Good Luck with that view. Why would you want to be colorblind? I personally enjoy seeing the myriad of colors in nature. There is much work to be done and to paraphrase or rephrase MLK, jr. "I may not be here when the world rights itself with regard to race but I hope we as a nation as a world achieve this for the good of all world's inhabitants."
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Beautiful introduction to another unsung pioneer in Black History. This book made me want to learn more.
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I was so glad to learn of Mabel Fairbanks and how she made the world of figure skating more equitable. It broke my heart that she was never able to compete due to racism.
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A picture book biography of Mabel Fairbanks who never was allowed to compete in major ice skating events because of her skin color, but who coached and campaigned to help make sure the next generation could break the color barrier in skating.
An inspirational story of a girl who went from homeless to a performing skater, catalyst for social change, and mentor/coach for world champions. Hand this to ice skaters and those who love to watch ice skating, and those studying people who helped change the world for the better. -
Interesting and well-drawn picture book biography on a little known pioneer in the skating world. I like the author's note and the little tidbits in the end. Her jump from homelessness to having money to buy (albeit used) ice skates was a little jarring...I think for kids who have experienced homelessness it may feel a bit pie in the sky and it maybe could have used a little more context, but true stories are what true stories are and you don't always get that. We enjoyed the book.
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Mabel Fairbanks was an inspirational figure skater whose dreams were never realized because of the color of her skin. The amazing part about her story was the way she fought for others as a coach and many of her students were able to reach their dreams because of her battle.
This story sticks to the main facts of her life and is illustrated in such a fun, cute way. A really fun read, especially for skaters. -
“Ice Breaker” shares the story of Mabel Fairbanks’ trailblazing career in figure skating, from learning to skate as a child to forcing restrictive skating clubs to allow non-White members (meaning they could qualify to compete)! Mabel was integral in making figure skating what we know it as today! The writing and pictures make this story very accessible to young readers.
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age: elementary+ (assumes some knowledge of historical segregation)
plot: Mable Fairbanks loves to skate, but no one will let her compete, so she chooses to coach other skaters and advocate for fair treatment for all.
themes: ice skating, racism, advocating for others
length: medium-long
wordiness: high (includes glossary of skating terms in the back) -
Wonderful non-fiction biography about Mabel Fairbanks, a talented and influential African-American figure skater who helped break racial barriers in the figure skating sport world. Very well written and beautifully illustrated, the kids enjoyed this wintery sports book.
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This book will leave you wanting to know more of the story.
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Great biography.
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Interesting biography. I found a video that would likely be great to go with it in class
https://youtu.be/k-kW4bSdx2o -
Such an important person for us all to know about!
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What an amazing woman! As someone who was suuuuper into figure skating, I'm disappointed that I've never heard of Mabel Fairbacks. But, now I have, and now I can seek out more info!
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Another great story to share for Black History Month or Women’s History Month.
Story: 5
Illustrations: 4
Read-aloud: 4 -
Love the art and the idea of the book but it was too shallow to get to know Mabel at all
