The Palm of my Heart: Poetry by African American Children

Citation

Adedjouma, Davida, and R. Christie Gregory. The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children. New York: Lee & Low Books, 1996. ISBN 1880000768

Poetic Elements

Given that this collection of poetry was written during a series of workshops, there are ready examples of many poetic elements for discussion and emulation. Some of the poems feature use of repetition, either of a word or of an entire phrase. In one poem it reads that “...Black is beautiful...as beautiful as white people...beautiful as April...” In another we find “...Black is a heart...the heart is an African symbol of life...and life is good...life is good...” There are also numerous examples of personification, like when black spirit is compared to something that “...turns and churns...it is energetic and eternal...” and black culture is described as a “...secret shared in the night...” The auditory and visual imagery is nicely brought to life through use of similes and metaphors and, while none of the poems are actually titled, they are all tied together by the fact that they each have the word 'black' in them somewhere.

Appeal and Overall Quality

This is a unique collection of poetry that tells about different aspects of life through the eyes of African-American children. The editor's note at the beginning of the book gives the reader background on how these 20 poems came to be. It helps prepare the reader for what they are about to take part in. Following that, the introduction by Lucille Clifton is particularly meaningful. Lucille Clifton was an African-American poet and the poet laureate of Maryland from 1979-1985. Her words of encouragement on how meaningful the word 'black' has become adds even more importance to the words the students wrote. The end of the book contains a page with information about the poets. It is nice to be able to get a little snapshot of each of these children, and it helps the reader be able to picture who it was writing each of the poems. The broad strokes of the illustrations add a beautiful dimension to the poems, and the rich, vibrant texture of the acrylics and colored pencils join together with the words to create an easy to read collection. It is one that can be revisited and have more meaning found with each reading.

Spotlight Poem

I would choose to use the following poem...

Black is the color of some people

but people are different

differences are good because

no one else says the

same things as you.

Follow-Up Activity

I would use this poem in a discussion of diversity. After reading this poem together we would talk about ways that people can be different and why being different is a good thing. I would then invite the students to write a poem about something that makes them different and either read it to the class or put it together in a class book.

Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4. A collection of poems by 20 children between the ages of 6 and 14, with introductory notes by Lucille Clifton. Christie interprets the selections with passionate (though somewhat scary in their expressive distortion) acrylic-and-pencil illustrations that could stand alone as a lively introduction to modern art. The poems were created during a community workshop designed to "introduce children to the techniques of image and metaphor, narrative and dialogue, and then set them free to explore their own lives, feelings and imaginations." Occasionally these goals are reached, as when Thelma Louise Lee writes of "my brother?trying to wash dishes/and me?talking too much, me hitting/my cousin (not meaning to, really),/me playing basketball and/calling all the shots." However most of the short poems, printed with boldface emphasizing certain words (Black, family, freedom) lack original imagery and come across as slogans rather than as personal voices. Facilitators of "everybody's an author" writing classes seeking a range of examples may be interested in purchasing The Palm of My Heart. Stronger writing and a broader range of topics can be found in June Jordan and Terri Bush's Voice of the Children (Holt, 1970; o.p.)?Karen MacDonald, Teaticket Elementary School, MA

From Booklist

Ages 6^-10. These 20 poems, the product of a writing workshop for children, express pride and joy in the black experience. Most of the pieces are very short, but their brevity does not dilute the potency of the heartfelt messages delivered in that direct way children have. Christie's long, angular images are reminiscent of Masai warriors with long graceful necks, wearing pride in their postures. The acrylic-and-pen renderings never outpace the simple, humble passages that reflect children who have discovered the power of the written word and their own inner strength.

From Kirkus Reviews

A collection of works, subtitled ``Poetry by African American Children,'' that showcases an exciting new artist whose style is unique and fully realized. The 20 pieces that Adedjouma gathered from writing workshops are not poems but thoughts, musings, and statements occasionally infused by a poetical phrase or notion. The themes are arranged seamlessly, and the selections are life-affirming, brimming with self-awareness, and written in a celebration of African American culture. The real story here is the glorious art by picture-book newcomer Christie, who displays a fine-arts sensibility that is incorporated into his illustrations, looking as if the influence of African art has been distilled through Klee and Picasso in the 1920s, with a touch of Jean-Michel Basquiat. Yet Christie's art remains all his own. Elongated limbs and abstract backgrounds emphasize the skill of his portraiture, drawing viewers to the astoundingly accomplished painting of individual faces. His interpretations of the text elevate its feeble nature and allow every page and double-spread to convey a distinct story, mood, or tribute to the culture. With an introduction by Lucille Clifton. (Picture book. 4-8) --