Poetry for Young People: Maya Angelou

Poetry for Young People: Maya Angelou is a poetry book by Dr. Maya Angelou, edited by Dr. Edwin Wilson, and illustrated by Jerome Lagarrigue in 2007 for ages 8 and up.  This is a book of poetry of the historian and civil rights activist Dr. Maya Angelou. The book is compiled of twenty five of Dr. Angelou’s finest poems. The poems are captivating and are full of emotions. The poems are inspirational to say the least. Some of the poems that are included in this amazing book are, “Still I Rise” and “Me and My Work”. Children will be able to relate to this book of poems because many of the poems discuss experiences that one might endure. Many children can relate because they go through developmental struggles, so this can offer encouragement. This book will be a great tool for the classroom because the poems encourage hope and perseverance. I recommend this book to children young and old because it encourages them to keep their dreams alive. 

The illustrations enhance each one of the poems because they provoke emotions. The illustrations are beautiful and full of warm colors throughout. Children will be able to get a better understanding of the poems just by looking at the pictures alone. The illustrations are like beautiful paintings. They determine the mood of the poems.

 

Discussion Questions:

Why do you think poetry is important?

Which one of these poems do you relate to?

What are some of the experiences that you think Dr. Maya Angelou went through that encouraged her to write some of these poems?

How do you think the illustrations enhanced or supported the poems?

 

Poetry Activity (Understanding Poetry):

Have students draw pick out their favorite Dr. Maya Angelou poem. Have students explain the poem in their own words and draw a picture to support the poem. It might be fun for each student to share with the class. Have fun!

 

Books By the Author:

Maya Angelou: I Know Why Caged Bird Sings

The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou

Life Doesn’t Frighten Me

Letter to my Daughter

 

Resources:

Angelou, Maya. (2007). Poetry for Young People: Maya Angelou. Sterling Publishing.

 

 

Stranded

The book, Stranded, is a contemporary realistic fiction novel written by Jeff Probst and Chris Tebbets in 2013, for ages 8 to 12 years old. This amazing book is about four young step-siblings on a boat expedition for family vacation to while their newly married parents are on a honeymoon. They were supposed to be getting to know each other better, but their vacation ended up in disaster when they encountered an unexpected storm. Unfortunately, the four siblings end up alone, with no adults, and shipwrecked in the middle of the ocean. They now have to try to survive this storm together. They have no one else to rely on but each other. The children have to learn about survival and how to be a team player.  

This is a chapter book was without many illustrations but the text is so descriptive that you can visualize the happenings without pictures. The text is exciting and it keeps the reader’s attention from the beginning until the end. The characters are described in great detail, which really draws the reader into the story. This book should definitely be used in the classroom because it teaches teamwork, preparedness, and survival.

 

Discussion Questions:

Describe the main characters of the story.

Do you think that the adults will be found?

How did the characters develop?

What do you think the characters could have done differently?

Do you think that you would be able to survive this type of disaster?

Which character do you most relate to?

 

Preparedness/Survival Activity:

You and your family are on a plane going on vacation. Your plane has electrical problems. The radio stops working before you can get out a distress message. You manage to land safely. Below is a list of gear on the plane. Your task is to rank order them in terms of their importance. Place the number 1 by the most important item, the number 2 by the second most important, and so on, through 15, the least important.

• 2 Jackets
• Canteen
• Matches
• Map and compass
• 2 boxes of Pop Tarts
• First Aid Kit
• Plastic tarp
• Knife
• 50 feet of nylon rope
• 2 cans of beans
• Signal flares
• Walkie-Talkie
• Comic books
• AM/FM radio  

Something Interesting About the Author:

Jeff Probst was the host of the reality show Survivor.

 

Other Books By Author:

Stranded: The Complete Adventure

Amazing Places

Outrageous Animals

Forbidden Passage

Trial By Fire

 

Resources:

Probst, Jeff. (2013). Stranded. Puffin Books Publishing.

 

 

 

 

 

Those Shoes

Those Shoes is a picture book written by, Maribeth Boelts, and illustrated by, Noah Jones in 2009. This book is intended for children ages 5 to 8 years old. This thought-provoking book is about a boy named, Jeremy. Jeremy, just like many children of today wanted some shoes that “everyone” was wearing but he couldn’t afford them. Jeremy’s grandmother doesn’t give in to his “wants”. She tries to teach him the difference between “want” and “need”. This book is full of emotions as Jeremy is embarrassed when his shoes fall apart at school. In the end Jeremy learns an important message about sharing. This is one of my favorite books on this project because it teaches children to appreciate what they have and shows a message of sharing. This book is excellent for the classroom setting as well as at home; especially in today’s society where expensive shoes are important some children.

 

The illustrations give the appearance of paintings on each page. The illustrations are easy for children to comprehend and they enhance the storyline. The illustrator was able to place emphasis on the importance of the shoes by giving most of the children the same black and white high top shoes. Some of the colors used in the book are of warm fall like colors but some of the colors were bold to show emotions.

 

Discussion questions:

Have you ever had something that you wanted badly?

After reading the story, what is the difference between want and need?

Do you think that Jeremy’s grandmother was right in not buying those expensive shoes for him?

Did Jeremy finally understand the importance of appreciating what he had?

Do you share with those in need?

 

Sharing Activity (Show and Tell):

Encourage students to bring objects into the classroom for Show and Tell. After they finish describing their objects, ask them to pass the object around to the rest of the students. The object should travel in a circle. Make sure that students do not harm the object or hold onto it for too long. When all of the objects are returned to the original owner, point out that they each shared their objects with their classmates. Ask the students how they felt when they shared their objects with others, as well as how the Show and Tell would have been different if they had not been able to see and hold the objects that their classmates brought in.

 

Other Books by Author:

Sleepy Bootsie

Before You Were Mine

The PS Brothers

Looking for Sleepy

Happy Like Soccer

 

Resources:

Boelts, Maribeth. (2009). Those Shoes. Candlewick Publisher

 

 

 

I Believe in Me

I Believe in Me: A Book of Affirmations was written and illustrated by, Connie Bowen in 2007. The book is wonderful for preschool and up. This is an inspirational book of affirmations for children to enjoy. The drawing are captivating. The illustrations speak for themselves in a playful, but beautiful way. The illustrations are intriguing. The colors that the author/illustrator used are a mixture of both warm and cool colors. The drawings are gentle and appears as though the illustrator used a combination of pencil and ink. I Believe in Me is full of inspirational statements like, “I love and care for myself”, and “I am whole and perfect just the way I am” (Bowen).

 

This inspiring book will help to uplift the spirits of the young and old. I Believe in Me can be used as a great tool to increase the self-esteem of children. There is one positive message on each page that will help to build the confidence of our youth. This book of affirmations is so inspiring that it can stay in the minds of children for the rest of their lives. Teachers can use this book to help to build the confidence in students. This books teaches the message that children can do anything that they put their minds to.

 

Discussion Questions: 

Who/What inspires you?

What does it mean to love yourself?

What do you value in life?

What was your favorite affirmation in the book?

List five positive statements about someone you know.

 

Inspirational Activity (Self Image):

Letter to Self

Have each student address an envelope and write a letter to him/herself reflecting on their current situation and where they hope to be in six weeks, six months, or a year. Instructor should give the letters to the students at the end of the agreed upon time.

 

Other Works of the Author: 

I Turn to the Light: A Book of Healing Affirmations

The Sunbeam and the Wave

Yo Creo en Mi

 

Resources: 

Bowen, Connie. (2007). I Believe in Me: A Book of Affirmations. Unity; Wee Wisdom Book.

 

 

 

 

Fifty Cents and a Dream

Fifty Cents and a Dream is a juvenile (historical) nonfiction book written by, Jabari Asim and illustrated by, Bryan Collier for ages 3 to 6 years old. This enlightening story is about the life of young, Booker T. Washington. The book tells how Booker T. Washington, who was born into slavery had a dream of reading and writing. He had a true desire to read. African Americans were not allowed to learn to read or right in this time period, so this was something that he dreamed about. Booker T. Washington had a very hard life after freedom. He didn’t get to enjoy a carefree life as a child because he had to work. The story leads up to his journey to the Hampton Institute with only a few coins in his pocket and a burning desire to learn. This is a great story to introduce to students in the classroom because it will help them better understand perseverance and motivation.

 

The illustrator uses watercolors in this historic story. The illustrations are almost like paintings with the appearance of brushstrokes throughout. The illustrator made the pages look a little discolored and old, giving the reader a better understanding of the time period. The illustrations are so captivating that readers are able to feel the emotions of Booker T. Washington.

 

Discussion Questions:

 

Can you imagine not being allowed to read?

Why do you think Booker T. Washington was so passionate about reading?

Do you have something that you’re passionate about?

Do you have a dream or goal that you would like to accomplish? If so, list them.

 

Dream Box Activity:

 

Collect items that represent something that you want to achieve or a goal that you might have. You can cut pictures out of a magazine or collect trinkets, awards, or articles having to do with your goals/dreams. Write a letter about your dreams and place the letter and the rest of the items in a box. Have fun chasing your dreams!

Other Books by Author: 

Whose Toes are Those?

Whose Knees are These?
Boy of Mine
Girl of Mine 

 

Resources:

Asim, Jabari. (2012). Fifty Cents and a Dream. Little Brown Books for Young Readers

 

 

Beautiful Oops

Beautiful Oops, is a picture book that was written and illustrated by Barney Saltzberg. This is an interactive book for a younger audience, ages 3-5 years old, that shows them that it’s ok to make mistakes. Beautiful Oops encourages creativity in children. The author’s message to young children is that mistakes can become something beautiful. The author lets readers know that, “A mistake is an adventure in creativity, a portal of discovery” (Saltzberg). In this book, a spill becomes an animal. This heartwarming book reminds the audience to appreciate the creative minds of young children.  

 

The book’s illustrations are amazingly beautiful and full of spirit. The pictures look as though they were drawn by a child of preschool age. The lines that are used in the illustrations appeared pencil like. It almost looked like he drew lines throughout some of the drawings and then erased them. You can actually see the strokes of the paintbrush in the illustrations. He used a mixture of thin and thick lines in order to create the childlike nature of the drawings. The pages are full of smears, smudges, and splashes of paint. I am very pleased with this book and would recommend this book to parents and elementary schools.

 

Discussion Questions that enhance creativity:

 

What is your definition of creativity?  

How do you feel when you think that you have made a mistake? 

Can you make something beautiful out of splashes of paint, using only your hands?  

Do you like to pretend? If so, what do you like to pretend to be or do? 

How many things can you create using ripped up pieces of color construction paper?

 

Creative Activity (Make a bracelet or necklace out of straw):

 

 

 

 

Items Needed:

Different color straw

String/yarn 

Directions:

Cut up the straw in small pieces, about half inch wide. Pull the yarn/string through the straw pieces. Cut the string/yarn to desired size and tie a knot.

 

Others Books By the Author:

 

All Around The Seasons

I want A Dog

Kisses

Good Egg

Peakaboo Blueberry

 

Resources: 

Saltzberg, Barney. (2010). Beautiful Oops. Workman Publishing

My Brother Charlie

My Brother Charlie is a realistic fiction book for grades 2-5, written by, Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Peete, and illustrated by Shane Evans. This is an amazing story is about a boy named, Charlie. The story is told by Charlie’s sister Callie. Callie tells the story of what life is like in the shoes of her wonderful brother, Charlie, who has autism. Callie wants the world to know that although her brother may act differently than others that he is just like everyone else. Callie speaks about the similarities as well as the differences between the two of them. This book teaches children to respect one another by accepting their differences.

 

This story had attractive illustrations from the beginning until the end. The pictures help to tell the story of the love shared between the brother and sister. The style and tone of this story is definitely appropriate for its intended audience. The illustrations are like beautiful paintings where the appearance of brushstrokes are visible in each page. The illustrator uses a mixture of warm and cool tones in order to show the change in the mood. This story is a great way to give children a better understanding that people with disabilities are just like them; they’re just different.

 

Discussion Questions:

 

What does what does the word unique mean to you?

Do you help others when they need assistance?

Define the word respect in your own words.

How do you respect others?

 

Motivational Activity (To teach respect like Saint Leo’s Core Value): 

Work alone or with a partner to create a song, a rap, or a chant about respect. Your words should tell why respect is important and how it could make the world a better place.

 

Something Unique About the Author: 

This story is based on Holly Robinson Peete’s own personal life. Holly Robinson Peete is an actress and national spokesperson for autism. She has twins and one of her twins has autism. The story is narrated by her daughter, speaking about the life of her brother who has autism. Another unique fact about the author is that her twin daughter actually co-wrote this book with her.  

 

Resources: 

Jaqanath, Nirasha. (April/2010). Chat With Holly Robinson Peete About Her Book “My Brother Charlie”. Mommyniri. Retrieved from http://www.mommyniri.com/2010/04/chat-with-holly-robinson-peete-about-her-book-my-brother-charlie/

Peete, Ryan. & Robinson Peete. (2010) H. My Brother Charlie. Scholastic Inc.