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Poetry books for the Young

© Walter Benefield

My good fortune or blessing, if you chose to describe it that way, has extended to my children. You see, they, like myself love words, whether stories, songs or poems, the love affair with words flow up and down the hallways and in and out of every room in my home and I think it's just great. Finding books that will feed and nurture my children’s love affair holds a pleasure all it's own and one I relish in deeply.

Nikki Grimes has written two fantastic books of poetry for kids, "My Man Blue" and "Come Sunday." Vibrating with poetic words and brilliant illustrations and using the impressions of children in each of the books, Grimes describes to very different scenes.

"His leathery skin's is like indigo ink",

begins the collection of poems, "My Man Blue." Blue looks tough on the outside however, through the eyes of a young boy we see Blue as a boy would, thanks to the brilliant illustrations by Jerome Lagarrigue. The boy discovers a big brother and mentor in Blue. The collections 15 poems are heartwarming with titles like, "Second Son", "Fearless", "Grounded" and "One-on One", in which the boy says,

"While some aim guns. We hit the hoops and shoot for fun."

Set in the not so nice inner city streets "My Man Blue" is about growing up, relationships and coming of age. The collections of poems show compassion and love that is rarely seen shared between a boy and man, the result is a refreshing book. Whether reading to oneself or to eager listeners "My Man Blue" touches hearts.

There is no joy or folly that can match that which a child experiences in church, I know this from personal experience. "Come Sunday", is a collection of poems that highlights the joys and follies of a little girl in church on given Sundays. Most readers can attest to having a childhood church experience whether good or bad, this is a collection of poems that speaks about the good feelings felt in church along with and occasional laugh or two. Illustrated in vibrate watercolor sketches by Michael Bryant, readers are sat into the pew in "Come Sunday." In 14 poems geared to children 5 to 8 years old, Grimes gives readers poems about church activities and church folks. Poems with titles like, "Blue-haired ladies", "White Gloves", "Esther" and "Church Supper", all speak of joy and some even poke fun at the adults that are around. I wonder if this little girl has not got the right idea about living in the church or out of the church. She takes things seriously but does not take her to seriously and is able to laugh and make fun in a good natured way and what results is that she enjoys her life as well those around her.

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