A Pocketful of Poems [Hardcover]

Nikki Grimes (Author), Javaka Steptoe (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Tiana has a pocketful of words: green words like spring, night words like moon, and words with wings, like angel. Each word is the inspiration for a pair of poems—one, lyrical free verse and the other, haiku. The paired poems reflect Tiana’s lively spirit and urban outlook and are showcased in Javaka Steptoe’s inventive collages, which include a wide range of materials, from faucet handles to pumpkin seeds to a hand-sculpted, gilded alphabet. A fusion of two remarkable creative talents, A Pocketful of Poems is an engaging portrait of a down-to-earth girl who has a way with words, as well as a tantalizing introduction to poetry. Author’s note on haiku.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 4-A playful and thoroughly successful pairing of words and pictures. Most double-page spreads offer two poems, one in free verse, one in haiku, set on bright collages of cut paper and found objects. In an author's note, Grimes states that, with haiku, "-the poet can create a sort of painting in miniature." And she does that, many times, in this lively collection that begins on a spring morning and ends with a New Year. Graceful, rhythmic, and accessible, the poems depict sensory impressions and precisely observed moments. Take, for example, this haiku: "Hot days send me to/the water fountain where my/face goes for a swim." Humor is provided in abundance as well. Steptoe's illustrations are original and distinctive and sometimes a bit busy, but give the book an urban, upbeat, and contemporary look. Overall, this is a keeper, for both in and out of the classroom.-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

" Grimes (Jazmin's Notebook) boils poetry down to its essence in this picture book homage to words — a must-read for aspiring poets and writers. Narrator and girl poet Tiana begins with an invitation to join her in wordplay, and the accompanying illustration depicts her, literally, with hands outstretched and bearing what appear to be carved letters in her palms. The poem "Tiana" launches the volume, then the heroine leads readers through the seasons with more than a dozen words, from "Spring" to "Gift" at Christimastime. Each spread introduces the chosen word in a brief poem, then highlights the same word in a haiku. Tiana's bubbling personality shines forth from each verse, and Steptoe (In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall), in an extraordinary feat, sculpts each of his character portraits from construction paper in a single, uniterrupted linear outline. His glorious mixed-media collages make the transition from intimate interior scenes to electric urban landscapes. A standout spread for "Harlem," depicts a rooftop image of Tiana and her father; the words of the haiku comprise a display of fireworks: "Harlem —July Fourth/fireworks rainbow the night with/bursts of dazzling light." Readers can only hope that this dynamic duo has many more pockets full of poems." Publishers Weekly, Starred

"There's so much vibrant energy and freshness in this collaboration, the book will dance into the hearts of children right away." Booklist, ALA, Starred Review

A playful and thoroughly successful pairing of words and pictures.
School Library Journal

null Children's Books: 100 Titles NYPL

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books (January 22, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395938686
• ISBN-13: 978-0395938683
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 7.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #321,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nikki Grimes conveyed the fire-in-the-belly fervor of a Harlem girl who knows she was born to write in Jazmin's Notebook, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. In My Man Blue, a Booklist Editor's Choice and Newsweek Children's Books of the Year selection, her artful words expressed a boy's journey from skepticism to trust. And now with Bronx Masquerade she presents a rich chorus of eighteen voices, singing openly about ideas, feelings, and questions--things that open minds, invite debate, provide release. A recent Booklist review proclaims: "As always, Grimes gives young people exactly what they're looking for--real characters who show them they are not alone."An accomplished poet, novelist, journalist, and educator, Ms. Grimes was born and raised in New York City and now lives in the Los Angeles area.