Reading Response: Poetry

 My Chinatown 

Mak, Kam. My Chinatown : One year in Poems. Illustarted by Kam Mak. Harper, 2016.  32 pages. Tr $16.89, ISBN 0-06-029191-5

My Chinatown's purpose is to give the reader a glimpse of life growing up as an immigrant in Chinatown. Kam Mak is the author and illustrator for this colorful journey. Mak uses the expression of poetry to share his feelings of experiencing a mix of two cultures in a new environment. Throughout the text we are taken through a whole year worth of different seasons through one author's personal perspective. The poetry is organized by seasons of the year. We see the artist use realistic drawings that create a glimpse into the protagonist's point of view. There is red of scrap paper representing a New Year celebration and the green and blues of spring to represent the Spring.

 

The poems throughout this colorful journey relate to one another to create a story of culture, acceptance and childhood. Each season provides us three poems and three paintings to create a first person encounter of growing up. If you look at the painting above, we see a vibrant use of colors and realistic technique to create an experience of culture and tradition. Accompanied with a poem to tell the viewer of Kam's perspective of summer and the beginning of his acceptance of his new home. Kim uses simple language and free verse poems to create an effective expression of emotions. Through his words and images we see longing of home, exploration and acceptance of his new home, his new Chinatown. 

Verdict: The paintings enrich the experience of the poems to tell a year's worth of stories. The poems are organized by season and give the reader, three perspectives per season to create an appropriate representation of the author's point of view. This vibrant and expressive text is a great addition to any children's collection aged 7 and up!

Remember 

Harjo, Joy. Remember. Illustrated by Michaela Goade. National Geographic Books, 2023. 40 pages. Tr. $18.99, ISBN 978-0-593-48484-5

Remember uses poetry that establishes an opportunity for the reader to stop what they are doing and simple look at the world around them. The poem use direct language to create a traditional use of meter and sound patterns. Strong and dark hues of red and black, along with images that compliment the message of the text, create a unique chance of reflection. 

The message of connection among people and the earth is apparent in the illustrations. The image above along with the poem creates a clear parallel between the connection that humans share with Mother Earth. With the inclusion of lines and shapes to attach both pages, we see a correlation that creates a human hand. This imagery and symbolism enrich the content of the poem. 

Verdict: This poem's purpose is loud and clear. We are all connected to the Eartha and each other. With its simple language and beautiful images, this poem and illustrations are appropriate for children aged 4 and up. 

Bronzeville

Brooks, Gwendolyn. Bronzeville Boys and Girls. ‌Illustrated by Faith Ringgold. HarperCollins, 2015. Tr. 41 pages. $17.89, ISBN 978-0-06-029506-6

Bronzeville features stylized artwork that consists of thirty-four concise poems by one author that highlight various children of color who are doing different activities. The book conveniently includes a table of contents in which showcase the poems random order through each child or children's names. The purpose of this book of poems is to highlight the joy and freedom of what childhood should be. Brooks does a great job using a rhyme scheme with ease to accompany the first, second and third person narratives. 

In the image above, we can see the illustrator, Ringgold's use of thick bold black lines and her utilization of vibrant colors. Ringgold's choice to use a stylized art technique simplifies the the subject(s) of the artwork. This allows for a visually pleasing and artistic representation that adds value to the lines of the poems. 

Verdict: This book of poems is a great read for children aged four to eight. With the rhymes sounding almost like music and the simplistic imagery, this book allows for an appropriate and visually agreeable celebration of childhood. 

Yes! We Are Latinos: Poems and Prose About the Latino Experience

Ada, Alma Flor, and F. Isabel Campoy. Yes! We Are Latinos. Charlesbridge, 2013. Tr. $19.99, ISBN 978-1-58089-383-1

Yes! We Are Latinos features thirteen narrative poems by two acclaimed authors. Along with the poems we get brief segments at the end of each poem that details a nonfiction history about Latino culture, history and some challenges. The poems take on free verse narratives that glimpse into the lives of various Latino characters' journey in finding themselves. The purpose of this text is to celebrate the diversity of Latinos and try to minimize stereotyping. 

Besides the cover, David Diaz makes the artistic decision to not use color with his illustrations. This choice does not enrich the text but what the artwork lacks in color, it makes up for in effectiveness of the poetry. Diaz using Cubism like style to express the poem's narrative. 

Verdict: Although the illustrations lack vibrant colors, it stays true to the cultural authenticity of the poems and its purpose to express the Latino experience. This book of poems is best reserved for those aged 10 and up. 

References

Alma Flor Ada, F Isabel Campoy, & Diaz, D. (2016). Yes! we are Latinos : poems and prose about the Latino experience. Charlesbridge. ‌

Brooks, Gwendolyn. Bronzeville Boys and Girls. ‌Illustrated by Faith Ringgold. HarperCollins, 2015. 41 pages. 

Harjo, J. (2023). Remember. National Geographic Books. ‌

Mak, K. (2016). My Chinatown : one year in poems. Harper, An Imprint Of Harpercollinspublishers.