From: kelly jones <keejones>
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 1998 09:24:52 PST

For an assignment for one of my teaching certification courses we had to read a multicultural book to a group of children, and then present a book talk to our peers. The book had to have been published within the last 5 years and we were not allowed to duplicate any past books used.

I had the pleasure of choosing The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children, a CSK Illustrator Honor Book from 1996 I believe
(sorry to go back a couple of years, it's just very much worth mentioning in this discussion). Edited by Davida Adedjouma and illustrated by Gregory Christie.

I read the book to a group of 1st and 2nd graders, and introduced the book by opening with a short discussion on Martin Luther King, Jr. The kids eagerly told me what they knew of him and his work. We then did a walk through of the book and there were lots of giggles. The children did not fully appreciate these colorfully bold and striking illustrations, mainly due to the fact that Christie exagerates the features of his people (i.e. long necks, arms and hands). Howerver, they are reminders of some African art and African tribes. One girl replied to these giggles, "Well, maybe you don't draw like this but this author does!" Although just an Honor book, Christie is well deserving for his first time on a children's book.

I highly recommend this book!

Kelly Jones Student, University of Colorado, at Boulder keejones at hotmail.com

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Received on Tue 24 Feb 1998 11:24:52 AM CST