Hughes first published “My People” in 1923. Bold photographs that joyfully celebrate the diversity of African-American culture bring this simple text to life once again. Faces of various skin tones and ages, and both genders, explode from the black background of each page, all reproduced in faintly antiqued sepia tones that both befit the Jazz Age origins of the poem and give glorious depth to the faces depicted. The image that illustrates “The stars are beautiful” is of hair ornaments in deep, rich, black hair; light-bathed faces look up into an implied “sun.” Smith’s eye for detail and his extraordinary photographs eloquently express the pride and love the poet felt for his people, capturing equally the curiosity and excitement of youth and the experience and wisdom of elders. The simple yet brilliant photographs fully occupy the page; filmstrip-like thumbnails at the edges provide a visual rhythm. All together, they are the perfect accompaniment to the classic poem and create a complex work of art that any age can relish. (photographer’s note) (Picture book. 2-10)
Pub Date: Jan. 6, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-4169-3540-7
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Ginee Seo/Atheneum
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2008
These agreeable poems from George (Old Elm Speaks, 1998, etc.) chronicle a day in the life of a little dog doing little dog things. After the obligatory cold nose wakes the dog’s young keeper, the dog duels the vacuum cleaner, surveys the territory from the window, gives the letter carrier notice, curls like a watch spring into a spot of sunlight, snoozes, duels with a beetle, makes a mess, tears things apart, serves and protects. Otani has made the dog a playful terrier type—all vim and vinegar—although the rest of the artwork is attractively delicate. George plays with words with a sure hand; just as surely, Otani picks up on their expressive qualities, e.g., showing the bedraggled pup in “Bath,” “Dripping and soggy,/Little Dog/really is/little.” A charming glimpse of life with a small dog, and its small but satisfying pleasures. (Picture book/poetry. 4-8)
Pub Date: March 22, 1999
ISBN: 0-395-82266-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Clarion Books
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1999
A stunning combination of poems and illustrations celebrating some of Earth’s wildest and most beautiful creatures. Meade’s woodcut-print–and-watercolor illustrations fill page after page with striking images of each featured animal in its habitat. Every page spread is saturated with vivid colors and shapes, simultaneously drawing attention to the boldly rendered animal at its heart and making space for a poem, printed in large, clear type, that pays further tribute to the creature pictured. Elliott’s poems, with their spot-on rhythm, playful rhyme and precise use of language, capture something essential about each animal. The jaguar, for example, grows on her back delicate rosettes “and yet / there’s danger in the jaguar’s gait, / a soundless step that warns: / Beware of jungle-raised bouquets. / Beware these hidden thorns.” The poems, though they employ some sophisticated vocabulary, are short and direct, a feature that will demonstrate to verse-averse young readers that poetry can be powerful and pleasurable without being too complicated or threatening. (Picture book/poetry. 4-10)
Pub Date: Aug. 1, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-7636-4497-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Candlewick
Review Posted Online: July 1, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 2010
© Copyright 2025 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
