Michael Tisserand Libri

Focusing on resilience and community, this narrative recounts the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as it profoundly impacted New Orleans' children. Faced with uncertainty about school reopenings, Michael Tisserand and other parents collaborated with teacher Paul Reynaud to establish the Sugarcane Academy in the Louisiana sugarcane fields. This inspiring tale highlights the creativity and determination of a dedicated educator and the diverse group of children who adapted to their new circumstances, forging unforgettable memories amid adversity.

"The creator of the greatest comic strip in history finally gets his due--in an eye-opening biography that lays bare the truth about his art, his heritage, and his life on America's color line. A native of nineteenth-century New Orleans, George Herriman came of age as an illustrator, journalist, and cartoonist in the boomtown of Los Angeles and the wild metropolis of New York. Appearing in the biggest newspapers of the early twentieth century--including those owned by William Randolph Hearst--Herriman's Krazy Kat cartoons quickly propelled him to fame. Although fitfully popular with readers of the period, his work has been widely credited with elevating cartoons from daily amusements to anarchic art. Herriman used his work to explore the human condition, creating a modernist fantasia that was inspired by the landscapes he discovered in his travels--from chaotic urban life to the Beckett-like desert vistas of the Southwest. Yet underlying his own life--and often emerging from the contours of his very public art--was a very private secret: known as 'the Greek' for his swarthy complexion and curly hair, Herriman was actually African American, born to a prominent Creole family that hid its racial identity in the dangerous days of Reconstruction."--Publisher description

A NEW YORK TIMES NOTABLE BOOK OF 2017, WINNER OF THE EISNER AWARD FOR BEST COMICS-RELATED BOOK, and FINALIST FOR THE NBCC AWARD IN BIOGRAPHY, this biography delves into the life of George Herriman, the creator of Krazy Kat. It reveals the complex backdrop of his life and the profound secrets he explored through his art. Born in nineteenth-century New Orleans, Herriman grew as an illustrator and cartoonist in Los Angeles and New York. His Krazy Kat cartoons, featured in major newspapers of the early twentieth century, earned him fame and are credited with transforming cartoons into a legitimate art form. Herriman's work reflects a modernist perspective, influenced by his travels and the diverse landscapes he encountered, from bustling cities to the stark deserts of the Southwest. However, beneath his public persona lay a private truth: Herriman, known as "the Greek" for his appearance, was actually African American, born to a prominent Creole family that concealed its racial identity during Reconstruction. Drawing on extensive research, interviews, and analysis of Herriman’s work, Michael Tisserand vividly brings to life this often-overlooked artist, honoring his significant impact on modern culture.