Fall Down Seven Times, Stand Up Eight: Patsy Takemoto Mink and the Fight for Title IX

by Jen Bryant, Toshiki Nakamura (Illustrator)

Overview

The only picture book biography about unsung hero Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first Asian American woman elected to Congress.

From a young age, Patsy Takemoto Mink learned that striving for goals came with challenges. But she also learned to never give up. As the Japanese proverb says: fall down seven times, stand up eight.

That spirit helped Patsy through school. She wanted to become a doctor, but at the time, medical schools didn’t admit women. So Patsy carved her own path. She went to law school, ran for a seat in the United States Congress, and helped create Title IX, the law that requires federally funded schools to treat boys and girls equally. Although many people tried to knock her down, Patsy—a historic trailblazer who spent her life fighting for fairness—always got up again!

From award-winning author Jen Bryant and illustrator Toshiki Nakamura comes an inspiring picture book biography that brings Patsy Takemoto Mink’s incredible legacy to life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062957221
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	01/25/2022
Pages:	48
Sales rank:	662,474
Product dimensions:	9.90(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Jen Bryant writes picture books, novels, and poems for readers of all ages. Her biography A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, received a Caldecott Honor. A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin won an ALA Schneider Family Book Award, the NCTE Orbis Pictus Award, and a Sibert Honor. The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus won the Sibert Medal and a Caldecott Honor. Jen is a proud graduate of Gettysburg College and lives with her family in Pennsylvania. Visit her online at www.jenbryant.com.

Toshiki Nakamura is an artist working in both animation and illustration. He is a character designer and illustrator who has worked for such animation studios as Netflix Animation, HouseSpecial, and DreamWorks TV. Toshiki also has received a silver medal from the Society of Illustrators as well as recognitions from 3x3. He is currently based in Kanagawa, Japan. Visit him online at www.artoftoshi.com.

Editorial Reviews

12/13/2021

This comprehensive picture book biography showcases the trials and tribulations of Patsy Takemoto Mink (1927–2002), the first woman of color in the U.S. Congress. Utilizing the Japanese proverb “Fall down seven times, stand up eight” as a refrain, Bryant showcases Mink’s tenacity in fighting racism and sexism throughout her life, and her commitment to challenging laws and proposing new ones, such as the groundbreaking Title IX. Crisp language expounds the figure’s accomplishments: “Making a law was like drawing a map, Patsy realized. If a map was drawn well, it led you to a new place. If a law was written well, it changed lives.” Hazy, animation-style vignettes by Nakamura showcase a cast of mostly thin characters with varying skin colors in this tale of an indomitable Asian American trailblazer. Back matter features an author’s note and notes on the quotes. Ages 4–8. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

An informative profile of a trailblazing legislator that will inspire children to work for justice.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Comprehensive. Crisp language expounds the figure’s accomplishments.” — Publishers Weekly

“Accessible and engaging. Bryant’s clear prose draws a distinct line from Mink’s childhood precociousness and fortitude to her adult accomplishments.” — Horn Book Magazine

"This story of a noteworthy woman is packed with history and strength." — Booklist

“A good book for libraries looking to increase nonfiction books about gender and racial equality.” — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

"This story of a noteworthy woman is packed with history and strength."

Booklist

Accessible and engaging. Bryant’s clear prose draws a distinct line from Mink’s childhood precociousness and fortitude to her adult accomplishments.

Horn Book Magazine

"This story of a noteworthy woman is packed with history and strength."

Booklist

04/01/2022

Gr 2–4—Title IX, the 1972 civil rights legislation, bans financial support to federally funded education programs that commit sex-based discrimination. It has so impacted American society, that it's hard to overstate its importance. Patsy Takemoto Mink was instrumental in getting this law passed. This picture book biography not only tells the story of her life and how she came to believe that such a law was necessary, but also covers her legal work on Title IX. Born in the Hawaiian territory in 1927, Mink followed her older brother to school and was welcomed as a student herself. Mink worked hard in school and became high school class valedictorian. She was later denied admission to medical school because of her gender but was accepted to the University of Chicago Law school as part of the foreign student quota. Eventually, she ran for Congress and won. The choice of cartoonlike illustration adds a zany touch, which diminishes the seriousness of the story but may make the work more appealing to younger students. Back matter includes a time line. VERDICT This is a good book for libraries looking to increase nonfiction books about gender and racial equality.—Debbie Tanner

School Library Journal

2021-12-03
This introduction to the Title IX civil rights law highlights major events in the life of Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color elected to the U.S. Congress.

Narrated in straightforward—if at times dry—text, the story highlights the role of family obligations and Japanese cultural traditions in Mink’s upbringing as well as the many obstacles she overcame. Growing up in Hawaii as the grandchild of Japanese immigrants, young Patsy learned much from observing her father work hard to make a better life for their family. As a teenager, she courageously fought against the internment of Japanese Americans after the Pearl Harbor attacks. Barred from entering medical school and later denied employment as a lawyer due to her gender, Patsy nevertheless fought tirelessly on behalf of her fellow students and citizens and ultimately helped create the Title IX federal law that prohibits gender-based discrimination in educational institutions. The Japanese proverb “fall down seven times, stand up eight” is used as a motif throughout the text to underscore Mink’s determination. Nakamura’s digital illustrations are bright and colorful with a varied palette of both pastel and bold tones. However, at times, characters are portrayed in a cartoonish manner that detracts from the solemnity and poignancy of Mink’s efforts. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

An informative profile of a trailblazing legislator that will inspire children to work for justice. (author's note, timeline, bibliography, notes) (Picture book biography. 5-10)

Kirkus Reviews