about the book
“Memories can be like sandcastles
the waves wash away.
My mama glued her memories with words
so they would last forever.”
When a young girl discovers poems written by her mother in Grandma’s attic, she’s fascinated. There’s a poem for each new place Mama’s family lived. And because Captain Grandpa was in the Air Force, “mama had a childhood on wings, / flitting from place to place.”
What can she do to show mama how much she appreciates her and her poems? Got it! She’ll write a book of poems herself!
about the author
Nikki Grimes was born in Harlem, New York. By the time she was six, she was writing poetry. She gave her first public reading at thirteen. Although her father, a violinist and composer, encouraged her creative side, her mother said writer’s were “a dime a dozen.” As her parents’ marriage ended bitterly, Nikki was shuttled from one relative to another, finally ending up in foster care.
Nikki studied English literature and African languages at Rutgers University. She was such an avid reader that professors had to come up with alternative reading list because she had already read the required material. After graduating she continued to study languages as she traveled to Africa.
The Coretta Scott King Award winner writes for both adults and children. Nikki travels extensively, speaking and teaching. She has sung and danced in the US, Europe, and Asia. She produced and hosted radio programs in New York City and Stockholm, Sweden. Her photography has been shown and published internationally. Nikki is also known for her textile and jewelry designs.
This busy lady works six days a week, juggling writing with the business end of being an author as well as all her other interests. She makes her home in Corona, California.
Sources :
Author website
Author biography: Scholastic
Author interview: Essential Learning Products
Also by Nikki Grimes:
Chasing Freedom : The Life Journeys of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony Inspired by Historical Facts. Orchard Books. 2015.
Words with Wings. Wordsong. 2013.
The Dyamonde Daniel books. Putnam Publishing. 2009-2012.
Barack Obama : Son of Promise, Child of Hope. Simon & Schuster. 2008.
Talkin’ About Bessie : The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman. Orchard Books. 2002.
about the illustrator
When she was two months old, Elizabeth Zunon moved from Albany, New York, to the Ivory Coast in West Africa—where her dad is from. She and her little brother spoke French all day at school, but at home their mom read lots of bedtime stories in English.
Almost every summer, Elizabeth’s family visited her maternal grandparents in Albany. It felt like they were always hopping on a plane! Then, when she was twelve, they just moved back there.
Elizabeth always loved drawing, painting, making up dances, and playing dress-up. This hasn’t changed at all. All the bright colors and funky patterns she incorporates into her work are inspired by her time in Africa—you don’t see those things in upstate New York!
While she was trying to break into the world of children’s publishing, she worked at a flower shop in New York City, writing all the handwritten notes to people and wrapping up all the flower arrangements. Because of the bad economy, the shop downsized and Elizabeth lost her job. Two weeks later, she found out she’d be illustrating My Hands Sing the Blues. Nice timing!
In Poems in the Attic, a young girl finds poems written by her mother. Elizabeth had something similar happen to her! “When I was in college, I was given a box of letters written by my mother to her parents while she was in college. I discovered that my mother and I had a lot of the same thoughts and feelings about life!” This was one of the reasons Elizabeth wanted to illustrate Poems in the Attic.
Elizabeth lives in Albany, New York. She also “dabbles” in jewelry-making and handbag-making.
Sources:
Illustrator website
Illustrator spotlight: TimesUnion
Illustrator interview: Nikki Grimes
Illustrator interview: Fempower
Illustrator interview: Deborah Kalb
Also by Elizabeth Zunon:
How Many Spots Does a Leopard Have? : An African Folktale by M.J. York. Child’s World. 2013.
read more!
After the Bell Rings : Poems about After-School Time by Carol Diggory Shields
“It feels like the clock on the wall has stopped / … / Then finally, finally, finally, BRRRRRIIING! / That wonderful bell begins to ring.” What are you doing after school? Are you hanging out with friends, playing video games, avoiding chores, or practicing an instrument? I’d really like to know!
Bigfoot Is Missing! by J. Patrick Lewis
Bigfoot. The Loch Ness Monster. The Kraken. They are the stuff of legends, lurking just out of sight. Their existence has not yet been proven, so these wanted posters, newspaper clippings, signs, and news broadcasts are vital to…. “hold on there’s [something] scratching at my do—”
Words with Wings by Nikki Grimes
Gabby is confused—her mom named her after an angel, and yet when she daydreams about flying, she is scolded. In fact, most of the world seems to think Gabby is just a shy girl who has trouble paying attention, but nothing could be further from the truth. Gabby learned long ago that daydreaming is way to be free …and to escape from her constantly bickering parents.