A Pocketful of Poems

Grimes, Nikki.  2001.  A Pocketful of Poems.  Ill. by Javaka Steptoe.  New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.  ISBN 0395938686

Plot:

The poetic writing of Nikki Grimes takes us to a vibrant location filled with life.  The author has created a wonderful example of merging poetic lyrics with city life in Harlem.  There are a series of poems with complementary haiku to illustrate commentaries.  It takes you through a timeline of year round events from the viewpoint of a child named Tiana.

Critical Analysis:

The main character is Tiana, who  describes Harlem by introducing us to  life, in the city.  She speaks about holidays, nature and seasons to which she describes in detail.  Tania uses a specific words to describe certain aspects of Harlem. The description of each word does not have rhyme but does have a smooth rhythm about themselves. The capitalization of words can emphasize importance to gather the attention of the reader.  The poem "Spring" shows the reader how the seasons have changed because  blooms signify a new year. The colorful illustrations give an visual image of life in Harlem.  The use of cutout fabrics, vibrant colors, and papers illustrate beautifully the city and culture of Harlem.  The city seems to be busy and full of activities.

From School Library Journal

"Graceful, rhythmic, accessible, the poems depict sensory impressions and precisely observed moments."

Persson, Lauralyn.  Review of A Pocketful of Poems by Nikki Grimes.  School Library Journal 47(5):141.

From Publishers Weekly

"His glorious mixed-media collages make the transition from intimate interior scenes to electric urban landscapes."

2001.  Review of A Pocketful of Poems by Nikki Grimes.  Publishers Weekly 248(3):76.

From Library Talk

"This book will become a favorite as children enjoy the artwork and learn to appreciate haiku poetry as well."

2001.  Review of A Pocketful of Poems by Nikki Grimes.  Library Talk 14(3):46.

Connections

other Nikki Grimes books

Words with Wings ISBN 1590789857

Jazmin's Notebook ISBN 0141307021

When Daddy Prays ISBN 0802852661

Activities for Children:

Ask children to find a object they see in daily life and create a poem to describe it.

Children can create a haiku using the same word.

Children can draw, construct, and describe their favorite place using one word, poem and haiku.

Personal Response:

The book is inviting, appealing and colorful for children to read.  What a wonderful insight to life in Harlem.  The description of the city makes for a great addition to learning about other regions of the United States.  The importance of the book creates a foundation to learning about culture and diversity.  The book educates children on various literary styles such as poems and haiku.