Langston Hughes's spare yet eloquent tribue to his people has been cherished for generations. Now, acclaimed photographer Charles R. Smith Jr. interprets this beloved poem in vivid sepia photographs that capture the glory, the beauty, and the soul of being a black American today.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. At just thirty-three words total, [this] poem is a study in simplicity, writes Smith (Rimshots; If); in its visual simplicity, his picture-book presentation is a tour de force. Introducing the poem two or three words at a time, Smith pairs each phrase with a portrait of one or more African-Americans; printed in sepia, the faces of his subjects materialize on black pages. The night, reads the opening spread, across from an image of a mans face, his eyes shut; is beautiful, continues the next spread, showing the same face, now with eyes open and a wide smile. The text, sized big to balance the portraits, shows up in hues that range from white to tan to brown-black, reflecting Smiths reading that the words celebrate black people of differing shades and ages. An inventive design adds a short, shadowed row or column of small portraits to the edge of many spreads; these quietly reinforce the concept of my people. Whether of babies, children or adults, Smiths faces emerge into the light, displaying the best that humanity has to offer—intelligence, wisdom, curiosity, love and joy. Ages 4–8. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. K Up—Smith's knack for pairing poetry and photography is well documented in books such as Hoop Queens (Candlewick, 2003) and Rudyard Kipling's If (S & S, 2006). Here, his artful images engage in a lyrical and lively dance with Langston Hughes's brief ode to black beauty. Dramatic sepia portraits of African Americans—ranging from a cherubic, chubby-cheeked toddler to a graying elder whose face is etched with lines-are bathed in shadows, which melt into black backgrounds. The 33 words are printed in an elegant font in varying sizes as emphasis dictates. In order to maximize the effect of the page turn and allow time for meaning to be absorbed, the short phrases and their respective visual narratives often spill over more than a spread. The conclusion offers a montage of faces created with varying exposures, a decision that provides a light-filled aura and the irregularities that suggest historical prints. A note from Smith describes his approach to the 1923 poem. This celebration of the particular and universal will draw a wide audience: storytime participants; students of poetry, photography, and cultural studies; seniors; families. A timely and timeless offering.—Wendy Lukehart, Washington DC Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is a page turner for young and old alike and one to be revisited time and time again!
October 24, 2009
Format:Hardcover
There are only thirty-two short words in Langston Hughes poem, My People, a poem he used to celebrate his black heritage. Charles R. Smith, Jr. stunning visual translation "capture(s) the glory, the beauty and the soul of being a black American today."
My People
The night is beautiful,
So the faces of my people.
The stars are beautiful,
So the eyes of my people.
Beautiful, also, is the sun.
Beautiful, also, are the souls of my people.
I loved the visual effect of the sepia photographs set against a black background. The thought that Smith put into this book is obvious, the result breathtaking. This book is a page turner for young and old alike and one to be revisited time and time again!
My People
The night is beautiful,
So the faces of my people.
The stars are beautiful,
So the eyes of my people.
Beautiful, also, is the sun.
Beautiful, also, are the souls of my people.
I loved the visual effect of the sepia photographs set against a black background. The thought that Smith put into this book is obvious, the result breathtaking. This book is a page turner for young and old alike and one to be revisited time and time again!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Sepia photographs paired with the eloquent words of Langston Hughes capture the essence of being a black American today. Images of the night, faces, stars, eyes, sun and souls all embody the lives of "my people." This is a timely book for the election year, which celebrates the souls of black America. It will appeal to children ages 3-6.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Bridget
Format:Hardcover
A few short words say a lot when added to these beautiful photographs of "My People". Its a beautiful piece of work!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simply amazing...
Words can't express the pride that I felt as, an African-American, when I saw Langston Hughes' poetry came to life in this children's book. The photography of Charles R. Smith, Jr. Read more
Published 8 days ago by L. OWENS
5.0 out of 5 stars
Black is Beautiful
My People by Langston Hughes contain only a few words, but gets its point across perfectly. He uses only a few words to let the reader focus on the picture. Read more
Published 25 days ago by Zelda Gomez
4.0 out of 5 stars
A heart-felt story for the whole family.
This is a beautiful book about African - American heritage. The book has some great pictures that goes with the one-to-two words of the poem per page. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Dani
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring!
My People was a beautiful story told by mostly pictures and occasional poetic phrases. The story may not have been told by many words, but the message couldn't have been any more... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Stephanie R
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly Recommend
Translating words into pictures is a very difficult task, translating the words of Langston Hughes into pictures is almost impossible, unless of course your name is Charles R. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Amber's Book Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
inspiring
This book called My People is a beautifully written poem that captures the meaning of being a proud African American. Charles R. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Michelle967
5.0 out of 5 stars
My People Review:
AMAZING! What a beautiful book!! This book really touched me in a way i have never felt before. The pictures are just beautiful in this book and relate so well with poem "my... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Lauren Singleton
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rachel's review of my people
My people is a very touching book. At first just scanning through the book I mostly noticed that there was not very many words on the pages. Read more
Published on February 2, 2011 by Rachel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thomas's review of My People
I was surprised to see just how much the book said with hardly any words. I enjoyed the poem and the pictures. I would tell a friend about this book. Read more
Published on February 2, 2011 by THOMAS COUSIN
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ashley G review for My People
I thought My People by Langston Hughes was a very inspiring story. I loved the photography and thought it was very inspiring. Read more
Published on February 1, 2011 by AshleyG
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