Crowning Glory

From School Library JournalKindergarten-Grade 4-Thomas lovingly extols the virtues and beauty of braids; cornrows; dreadlocks; and even ribbons, combs, beads, and colorful scarves that grace the heads of a family of children and adults. The 14 free-verse poems are magical. In "Mama's Glory," the mother states: "I wear my hair natural In memory of a faraway place"; in "At Glory's Beauty Shop," a girl enjoys a relaxing shampoo and conditioning; and in "Crowning Glory," hair is "a gift wrapped ribboned curled tied." Joysmith's full-page pastels present an intimate look into the life of this African-American family and are a perfect complement to the poetry. These selections have the makings for read-aloud magic and are an antidote to Carolivia Herron's much disparaged Nappy Hair (Knopf, 1997) of several years ago.Barbara Buckley, Rockville Centre Public Library, NYCopyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.Product DescriptionWith these joyous poems, Nationa Book Award and American Book Award winning author Joyce Carol Thomas lovingly celebrates the beauty and distinction of African-American hair. Thomas' lyrical language shares what is special about hair that is dreadlocked, braided, adorned, or worn free.From Publishers WeeklyThomas (Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea) celebrates the beauty of African-American hair in this collection of 14 poems. Based on Thomas's daughter and granddaughters, Joysmith's (This Is My Song) full-bleed pastel portraits, opposite, provide loving accompaniment and demonstrate a spectrum of hairstyles. The illustration paired with Great Grandma's Way shows a woman instructing her granddaughter by example: To make the hair strong You can't go wrong Using black twine, nothing's better To wrap and keep loose ends together. In Adorned (Bands and bows Shells and nets Flowers and hairpins Rainbow barrettes), four elementary-school girls sit on a bed as one works on another's hair. Mama's Glory explains the connection between hair and history: I wear my hair natural In memory of a faraway place. Here, Joysmith depicts the mother, a baby in her arms and her son by her side, with a halo of hair. Good Hair celebrates everyone's titular crowning glory 'What is good hair ' I ask my daddy And Mama answers, 'Why, it's understood, Sister, if it's on your head it's good!' Readers will want this handsomely designed volume not only for its hair-apparent emphasis but also for the ways in which Thomas effortlessly uses her theme to integrate its ties to family, friendships and tradition. Ages 4-8.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.ReviewPoets can turn mundane subjects into the glorious. Thomas shows that (African American) girls and women can like their hair. --Susan Faust, San Francisco Chronicle, March 30, 2003Children will rejoice in the individuality and in the bonds between mother and daughter, sister and sister, girlfriend and girlfriend --Cynthia Turnquest, Booklist, September 15, 2002A celebration of the haiar of beautaiful African American girls is the focus of this collection of gentle, joyful poems --Kirkus Reviews, May 15, 2002About the AuthorJoyce Carol Thomas is an internationally renowned author, playwright, and poet. She received the National Book Award and the American Bok Award for her first novel, Marked by Fire, and a Coretta Scott King honor for her first picture book, Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea. Her other picture books include the Coretta Scott King Award illustrator honor books I Have Heard of a Land and Gingerbread Days. Ms. Thomas lives in Berkeley, California.
Author: Joyce Carol Thomas, Brenda Joysmith (Illustrator)

Publisher: Joanna Cotler Books

Binding: Hardcover

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0060234733

ISBN-13: 9780060234737