Jordan, Roslyn M.

Personal

Born in Brooklyn, NY; daughter of Deloris and James Jordan.

Addresses

Home—Chicago, IL.

Career

Author. Member of policy advisory board, Jordan Institute for Families.

Writings

WITH MOTHER, DELORIS JORDAN

Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2000.

Did I Tell You I Love You Today?, illustrated by Shane W. Evans, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2004.

Michael's Golden Rules, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2006.

Sidelights

The sister of NBA basketball superstar Michael Jordan, Roslyn M. Jordan joins with her mother, Deloris Jordan, to coauthor several inspirational books for young children. Their books for young children are notable for featuring illustrations by African-American artists known for their innovation and professionalism; both Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream and Michael's Golden Rules contain detailed illustrations by artist Kadir Nelson, while Did I Tell You I Love You Today? features large-format paintings by Missouri-based artist and musician Shane W. Evans.

Described by Booklist reviewer Denia Hester as "an inspirational tale" that is "tailor-made for young fans of the superstar," Salt in His Shoes finds a young Michael Jordan worried that he will never grow tall enough to become a professional basketball player. Supportive family members offer words of encouragement that help the boy see that, even more than height, hard work and determination—along with a large helping of patience—are the most important ingredients in success. However, when Michael's mom offers a folk remedy to cure shortness—put salt in your shoes and say a prayer every night—all the family's good advice is given a magic spark. Nelson's "animated" paintings for Salt in His Shoes are "rendered in a cartoon style that is informal yet polished," wrote a contributor to Publishers Weekly. As the critic added, the mother-and-daughter writing team provides "authoritative insight into" Jordan's "boyhood spunk as well as reassurance to young athletes impatient for a growth spurt."

Best friends Jonathan and Michael are dedicated to their baseball team, the Badgers, but in Michael's Golden Rules the boys are frustrated over their team's lackluster season. When Jonathan's enthusiasm starts to flag due to his undeveloped skills as a player, Michael's Uncle Jack, a former college player, shares his ten golden rules of the game, helping the boy realize what being a true winner is all about. Although School Library Journal contributor Barbara Katz found the book's dialogue to be somewhat lackluster, she added that "Nelson's illustrations are stunningly realistic and powerful." In Booklist Julie Cummins recommended Michael's Golden Rules as "ideal for reading to a group of baseball fans."

Geared for younger readers, Did I Tell You I Love You Today? features a simple text in which a mother takes the loving steps to ensure the health and safety of her young son as he goes about his day. Beginning with a healthy breakfast and ending by offering a nighttime prayer, the woman demonstrates her unconditional love in the Jordans' rhyming tale. In School Library Journal Tracy Bell wrote that Evans' "vibrant" illustrations reflect the "playful, affectionate relationship between mother and child" that is central to the simple text, and a Kirkus Reviews contributor called Did I Tell You I Love You Today? a "tender read-aloud" that many families will adopt as "an often-repeated bedtime ritual for the very young."

Biographical and Critical Sources

PERIODICALS

Booklist, February 1, 2001, Denia Hester, review of Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream, p. 1056; March 1, 2007, Julie Cummins, review of Michael's Golden Rules, p. 88.

Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2004, review of Did I Tell You I Love You Today?, p. 1203; December 1, 2006, review of Michael's Golden Rules, p. 1222.

Publishers Weekly, November 13, 2000, review of Salt in His Shoes, p. 103; December 6, 2004, review of Did I Tell You I Love You Today?, p. 58; January 8, 2007, review of Michael's Golden Rules, p. 50.

School Library Journal, June, 2001, Jeffrey A. French, review of Salt in His Shoes, p. 121; December, 2004, Tracy Bell, review of Did I Tell You I Love You Today?, p. 112; March, 2007, Barbara Katz, review of Michael's Golden Rules, p. 174.