In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers [Paperback]

Javaka Steptoe (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Fatherhood is celebrated with honor, humor, and grace in this intergenerational collection of poetry by new and established African-American writers. The book testifies to the powerful bond between father and child, with a profound message to people everywhere that family is the greatest gift and that fathers are among the most influential heroes. Twelve outstanding poems come to life through the spirited artwork of Javaka Steptoe.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

"When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him." This simple, yet potentially double-edged Ashanti proverb begins Javaka Steptoe's picture-book debut, a powerful collection of poems celebrating African American fathers, by new and established African American writers. Breathtaking, evocative mixed-media spreads--bedecked with beads, burlap, and buttons--earned Steptoe's brilliant collection the 1998 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and the 1997 Reading Magic Award. A full-time artist and art teacher, Steptoe is the son of the late John Steptoe, also an acclaimed children's book artist. Regarding the process of creating the book, Steptoe says, "I was able to think about my father and how he affected me, and how I affected him, and give something to him by honoring his memory."

One selection, "Black Father Man" by Lenard D. Moore, begins, "Black Father Man, / the supreme earth dweller. / We are his ripe black crop / at the beginning-of-the-harvest. / We all bleed his blood / summer-hot and thick / summer-hot and thick / as unstrained milk. / Black Father Man, / the word-music messenger." Steptoe's accompanying artwork depicts men planting seeds and children growing, using actual dirt, leaves, seeds, paint, and cut paper to communicate the regenerative "we are his ripe black crop" spirit of the poem. In Folami Abiade's title poem, readers will soar high with the boy in his father's arms: "I am big and strong & proud like him / in daddy's arms / my daddy." Other contributors--including Carole Boston Weatherford, Michael Burgess, Davida Adedjouma (editor of The Palm of My Heart), and more--add humor and power to this extraordinary tribute to fatherhood. (All ages) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3 Up?This innovative, stunningly illustrated picture book celebrates the role of fathers in the African-American experience. The artist illustrates 13 poems with collages made from paper with pastel; applique; and a multitude of found objects, including fabric, coins, seashells, buttons, sand, seeds, and leaves. The artwork vibrates with emotion; even the simplest pieces, showing torn-paper figures on a solid background, capture the powerful bond between parent and child. The poems, written by Angela Johnson, Davida Adedjouma, Carole Boston Weatherford, and others, depict fathers working in the fields and in post offices, playing basketball, fishing, tickling, or hugging. Steptoe's own poem, "Seeds," is a tribute to his father: "You drew pictures of life/with your words." Libraries will want this title for Black History Month, National Poetry Month, Father's Day, or anytime a patron asks for a book about fathers. Teachers will find it inspiring in classroom units on poetry, or it can be used in conjunction with David Diaz's work to demonstrate collage techniques in an art class. Whatever its use, this lovely book deserves a place on library shelves.?Dawn Amsberry, Oakland Public Library, CA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books (January 30, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584300167
• ISBN-13: 978-1584300168
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Literature & Fiction > United States > Asian American
  • #69 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Explore the World > General
  • #93 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Literature > Poetry > General

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The artwork is beautiful, July 20, 2001

By 

"[e-mail]" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers (Hardcover)

I bought the book for me. I was in a bookstore just walking around when I ran into this book on one of the display tables and not in the African American section where it would normally be. I glanced through the book and knew that this book was something I wanted in my collection. Only problem I have with this book is I don't know whether to put it with my art books or with my poetry books. Hmmm, maybe I should buy a second copy. Excellent for the kids.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I thought it was a vey nice book. Beautiful artwork., November 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers (Hardcover)

I was eleven when I got the book. I didn't buy it because it was in my age bracket, I bought it because the art caught my attention, and then the title. It's time to celebrate the black father.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST FOR YOUR CHILD'S (OR YOUR) COLLECTION, March 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers (Hardcover)

IN DADDY'S ARMS is a highly impressive collection of art and poetry. Javaka Steptoe's multimedia illustrations are as magnificent and varied as any Romare Bearden collage. The images will delight both children and adults, though some of the poetry may be too deep or symbolic for young children. However, poems like "Tickle, Tickle" and the title poem reach right to the target audience. This combination makes for a book that is just as at home on a child's bookshelf as it is on an adult's coffee table. Books like this one, including Tom Feelings's SOUL LOOKS BACK IN WONDER and Langston Hughes's THE BLOCK, are important representations of the African-American community and, as such, should be acquired and passed down from generation to generation. --Jan