I Remember: Poems and Pictures of Heritage

An inclusive collection of poets and artists pays homage to cultural and familial inheritance through a series of illustrated memories. Compiled by Hopkins, readers are treated to an intimate look into the childhoods of poets such as Naomi Shihab Nye and Kwame Alexander. Every work opens with a personal dictum from both poet and artist ("Painting is the voice that helps me share," says Rafael López). And the following poems evoke an immediacy that connects readers with another's memory--of travel, food, ritual, story--while drawing out readers' own fond remembering ("When Abuelita visits/ time seems to stop," writes Margarita Engle). The corresponding artwork demonstrates a wonderful range of visual language and technique; there is truly something for everyone in these pages. The index includes mini biographies and then-and-now photographs of the book's contributors. A rich celebration of the cultures and moments that shape people. Ages 8-up. (Sept.)

Gr 3-8—This vibrant quilt of poetry and art features the works of 30 unique poets and artists from a wide array of cultural backgrounds. Poems recount the writers' memories of their family traditions and how their experiences growing up in America as second-generation children often shaped their views of their heritage and cultural identity. Contributors such as Kwame Alexander, Jorge Tetl Argueta, Nick Bruel, and Janet S. Wong offer a varied approach to poetic form, allowing readers to experience rhythm, meter, and verse. Illustrations using all types of media sing through the pages. Each poet's work is preceded by a statement addressing what poetry means to them and how its format can tap into a person's heart and soul. VERDICT Pairing the works of some of today's most important voices in children's poetry with illustrations by artists of equal talent makes this is a must-have for all elementary and middle grade collections.—Liz Allen, Middle Country Public Library, Centereach, NY