Donna Smith, at Mainely Write, is hosting this first Poetry Friday of July. Let the fireworks begin!
Because of the exciting news from the Supreme Court just two weeks ago, I looked for something to share that would celebrate all people, would toast our diversity. Lee Bennett Hopkins' anthology Amazing Faces fits beautifully. I was also delighted to discover that the illustrations were done by Chris Soentpiet, whose presentation I was thrilled to see in February at my state reading conference. His process for the beautiful realistic acrylic paintings is amazing. He has models audition for He actually has models audition for what he believes are the needs of the work, takes many photos, stages the scenes, then does the layout, drawings, and then paintings. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous, and of course they should be because they are "amazing faces". I hope that you can find the book if you don't already own it, to read and see how beautifully it celebrates our country.
The opening poem by Rebecca Kai Dotlich encompasses all people, the wish everyone has for their child.
Amazing Face
Amazing, your face.
Amazing.
It shows there will be trails to follow,
porches to wave from, wonder from,
play on.
The remainder of the poem is here.
The poems and illustrations show a lovely group of people, mostly children, the hope of our world.
Finally, Langston Hughes ends the anthology with his poem My People, found here at the All-Poetry site. The first lines:
The night is beautiful,
So the faces of my people.
Enjoy and appreciate your Independence Day.
Beautiful poems and what a gorgeous looking anthology. I'm going to seek it out.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sally, so glad to share this and hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI always appreciate your thought process and how well you share it. Beautiful poems.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kimberley. Have a wonderful holiday!
DeleteI love this anthology. Definitely perfect for today. And Chris Soenpiet is one of my favorite illustrators!
ReplyDeleteSoentpiet is wonderful, I agree. Thanks Carol.
DeleteLee always puts together such meaningful anthologies!
ReplyDeleteYes, I love this one. I read some to my granddaughters who are a little young for it, but they loved some, and loved looking at the pictures! Thanks, Keri.
DeleteYes -- amazing faces -- every single one!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary Lee, agreed!
DeleteThanks for sharing this, Linda. I love the whole concept of amazing faces and want to look around more to be aware of the stories behind each.
ReplyDeleteIt is a particularly special way to think about it, isn't it, Donna? I'm glad that Lee Bennett Hopkins called our attention to it. Thanks!
DeletePerfect poems for the occasion and for every other day, Linda! Amazing! =)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bridget, Each one is special to the 'faces' shown.
DeleteI'm glad, in your reply to Keri, you mentioned that your granddaughters enjoyed the illustrations even though they were too young for some of the poems. That is one of the great advantages to illustrated books--they can engage one way, and then years later, they may engage in another way.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Diane. We can always look at the pictures or look while I read & then talk about what the poem might be saying. The girls listen because they love books so much, & are always interested to see something new. Thanks!
DeleteThe perfect book share for this weekend, Linda! Thank you. That Langston Hughes poem gets me every time.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's beautiful, as are the other poems in the book. Thanks, Michelle.
DeleteWhat a gorgeous cover. I am reading Rebecca Kai Dotlitch's poem on July 4, thinking of all of the amazing faces waving from porches, gathering together for parades, and fireworks, and picnics. Thanks for this recommendation.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Laura. The words are terrific, too, but Soentpiet's work is extraordinary.
DeleteOne of my favorites, and perfect to celebrate so many varieties of us all. Thanks for sharing this weekend. I got to hear Chris Soentpiet at a conference once, too - loved seeing the pictures of how he works with models, etc. Such devotion to detail!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robyn, yes, he is amazing!
DeleteLove the Langston Huges poem that closes this anthology. I was first introduced to it by Georgia Heard in one of her books.
ReplyDeleteYes, so many of his are wonderful to read and share. Thanks!
DeleteThis book is new to me, but one that I'll be ordering soon. Poems celebrating diversity from Rebecca Kai Dotlich, Langston Hughes, and more, what's not to love? Thanks for sharing, Linda!
ReplyDeleteOh, so glad to introduce you, Catherine. Enjoy!
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