In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers
Common Sense Note
The varied tempos, topics, and formats of the poems offer something for readers of nearly every age. Innovative collages composed of myriad unusual materials provide a fascinating canvas for the verses. From brief verses to eloquent epistles, a broad array of poems extol the loving bonds between father and child. Readers gain insight on both the authors' personal relationships and their collective cultural experiences as African Americans.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Ann Marie Sammataro
"When you follow in the path of your father, / You learn to walk like him." This joyous collection of poetry is a testimony to the profound impact fathers have in shaping the lives of their children. From exuberant tickle-fests to poignant reminiscences, the poems reflect on the many facets of fatherhood. Spectacular collages offer readers a sumptuous visual feast.
Powerful and deeply moving, the poems resonate with a heartfelt and abiding respect for the stalwart men who play a vital role in nurturing their children's physical, spiritual, and emotional growth. The tenor of the poems fluctuates from the explosive burst of energy in "Lightning Jumpshot" to the saucy "My Granddaddy Is My Daddy Too" and are perfect for read-aloud sessions. The rambunctious "Tickle Tickle," with its rollicking pace -- "Me papa tickle me feet / he call it "finger treat" / me scream and run (but OH, WHAT FUN!) / when papa tickle me feet" -- was wildly popular with some preschooler readers, who were wiggling and giggling throughout the poem.
Vibrant collages capture the essence of the poems, distilled into evocative images wrought from mundane objects. Illustrator Javaka Steptoe's choice of materials may be eclectic, but the items in each composition are intricately connected to the writing. In the art for "The Farmer," which includes the lines "His backbone is forged / of African iron," a closer look at the decorative border reveals that it is an arrangement of bent nails and flattened bottle caps. Likewise, "The Things in Black Men's Closets" mentions in passing the pennies Miller's father kept in his closet. In the accompanying collage, the background is composed of a multitude of those copper-plated coins. An affirming testament to the unique relationship between fathers and children that speaks to fathers of all races who have experienced this miraculous, precious connection, this is a fabulous addition to every bookshelf.
From the Book:
When daddy spins me round & round
& the whole world is crazy upside down
i am big and strong & proud like him
in daddy's arms
my daddy
Plot Summary:
This collection includes twelve poems from a variety of well-known African-American authors, including Angela Johnson, Sonia Sanchez, Carole Boston Weatherford, Davida Adedjouma, and David A. Anderson. The poems explore the dynamics of a father/child relationship and encompass a wide range of topics: "In Daddy's Arms" celebrates the confidence children derive from their fathers: other poems, such as "Artist to Artist," focus on dreams deferred, and in "Promises," a father vows his eternal love and devotion.
Each poem occupies a two-page spread. Several poems are printed on plain white backgrounds, with the accompanying illustrations set to the side or on the facing page. For other poems, the text is superimposed directly onto illustrations that fill the pages to the edges with color.
Related Books:
Books With Similar Themes
Harlem by Walter Dean Myers
The Dream Keeper and Other Poems by Langston Hughes
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