Nigel's Kids Lit Picks for Black History Month: Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A celebration of poetry with a beat. Edited by Nikki Giovanni

Every February our nation celebrates the achievements of African Americans during Black History Month. Though I aim to expose my children to the rich, multicultural history of the US year round, a BHM bonus for kids is enhanced school curriculum and special events. I thought it might be fun for my 5 year old son Nigel to pick a few books about African American history from our local library branch, but he was only marginally excited. When I suggested he help me write a new blog post about his favorite books his enthusiasm grew. I was a little disappointed that our branch did not have a display of kids picks; it took a while for us to find our picks for the project. There were quite a few books about well know African American individuals, but I didn't think biographies would hold his interest. We opted instead to look for titles that highlighted lesser known innovators, artistic contributions and offered an age appropriate overview of the civil rights movement. Below is one of our favorite selections. Keep up with the blog for more book reviews coming soon!


Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A celebration of poetry with a beat. Edited by Nikki Giovanni

I've been reading Nigel poetry since he was a baby. My appreciation for the art form began in grade school; I remember my own introductions to Gwendolyn Brooks, Lansgton Hughes, Paul Laurence Dunbar and Gil Scott Heron. I loved the ebb and flow, the sway of the rhythmic words. I'm also a fan of many musical genres, especially Hip Hop and Neo Soul. Artists like Queen Latifa, Tupac and Lauryn Hill are poets in their own right, setting their prose to pulsating beats. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree so naturally, just like his ShoMommy, Nigel loves verses, rhymes and music of all kinds. Nikki Giovanni has compiled more than 50 selections from talented writers and lyricists.  A CD is included which features poems like "People Equal", "We Wear The Masks", "A Negro Speaks of Rivers" and Ego Trippin" to vibrant beats. It makes the art form come alive. This got my boy very excited. He was interested in the lives of the poets now. We listened and read along with the book. We talked about the Harlem Renaissance and researched the origins of Hip Hop. Most of the musical selections included are not set to music, so we made our own. We took turns playing his drumset and performing. He LOVED Mos Def's "Umi Says" so we found the song on my Ipod. The last track, an excerpt from MLK's "I Have A Dream" speech, really blew his mind. He couldn't believe it was Dr. King's real voice! I could go on and on about this book, but in short it is a great way to introduce your children to poetry and a variety of music including quality hip hop, jazz and blues. It initiates conversation about rhymes, rhythms, new vocabulary and other literary concepts. After we finished the book and CD Nigel spouted rhymes, scatted and be-bopped the rest of the day.

Beyond Where the Wild Things Are: Remembering the work of Maurice Sendak

May 8, 2012 Maurice Bernard Sendak, American writer and illustrator of children's literature passed away.  Sendak is most widely know for the critically acclaimed kids lit classic Where the Wild Things Are. 

Many of us, followed by our children, have fallen in love with the tale of naughty Max and the fanged giant monsters from a far off land. It's a story that never gets old and became a full length feature film in 2009. But Sendak's legacy also includes textbook illustrations as far back as the 1950s,  early membership on the National Board of Advisors of the Children's Television Workshop during the development stages of Seasame Street, as well as designing sets for many operas and ballets. Sendak has been at the center of controversy here and there. His illustrations have included earthy nude drawings of child protagonists and his story-lines have been called "odd, demanding, yet appealing". We enjoy his books in our home, so I suggest you explore the variety of his literature on your own. In honor of his mile long list of works I've compiled a short sample of Sendak's creations that are less popular, but equally as gratifying as the Caldecott Medal winning Where the Wild Things Are. 

1. Nigel and I love In the Night Kitchen, originally issued in 1970. It's a delightful book about a boy's late night bread baking kitchen romp. 

2. Outside, Over There (1981) is the story of a girl, Ida, and her jealousy of her little sister. Ida is resistant of increased responsibility, but eventually comes around and saves the baby from goblins. 

3. The 1956 Kenny's Window Sendak is comprised of 7 stories, each initiated by a "question" dreamed by Kenny. Readers are introduced to the deep imagination and beautiful, strange logic of a young boy, alone in his room at play. 

4. Sendak's "Nutshell Library" (1971) consists of 4 hand-sized concept books:
Alligators All Around -- an A B C book featuring an alligator family bursting balloons, catching colds, doing dishes, entertaining elephants, etc. 

One Was Johnny -- a Counting book featuring Johnny who lived by himself. The story builds one character and event at a time, such as the house that Jack built. By the time there are nine villains "10 is a puzzle, what should Johnny do?

Chicken Soup With Rice -- a Calendar book featuring chicken soup with rice served up whimsically throughout each month of the year. 

Pierre -- a Cautionary Tale -- featuring apathetic Pierre who can't be made to care. Careless Pierre eventually becomes lion fare until retrieved by the doctor. 

5. Bumble-Ardy (2011) is about a mischievous pig who reaches the age of nine without ever having a birthday party. But all that changes when Bumble-Ardy is orphaned and he throws a party for himself and invites all his friends, leading to a wild masquerade that quickly gets out of hand.

6. Very Far Away (1957) is the second book written and illustrated by Sendak. Imagine Where The Wild Things Are with animals instead of monsters. The two book project delivers a traditional ending, as well as more complex statements about happiness and delusion.

7. The Sign on Rosie's Door (1960) is a charming book about Rosie, a creative little girl who transforms herself in a motley crew of characters.

8. We Are All in the Dumps with Jack and Guy (1993), a unique story in nursery rhyme format, follows two guys on a quest to save a kid and a bunch of kittens. Evil rats and the moon are additional characters in this twisted tall tale.

9.  1976's Some Swell Pup or Are You Sure You Want a Dog?  is a book for everyone who has ever trained a dog, or plans to take on the project. It is instructive and fun for all potential puppy owners.

10. Before taking up writing Sendak was best known for illustrating Else Holmelund Minarik's Little Bear series of books. Check them out with your little ones for a fun story time treat.

***Photo Courtesy of Us Magazine