Visiting Langston

by Willie Perdomo, Bryan Collier (Illustrator)

Overview

A wonderful picture book introduction to a legendary American writer

It's a special day when a little girl and her father go to visit the house where the great poet Langston Hughes lived—especially when the little girl is a poet herself!

This rhythmic tale is a wonderful introduction to the work and world of Langston Hughes, who was a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance and an American cultural hero.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780805078817
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	09/01/2005
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 9.95(h) x 0.10(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Willie Perdomo was raised eight blocks away from Langston Hughes's house. Mr. Perdomo's first book, Where a Nickel Costs a Dime, was selected by the ALA as a Popular Paperback for Young Adults. Visiting Langston is his first book for children.

Bryan Collier is the Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award winner of numerous children's books, including Rosa and Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When he's not painting, he spends his time visiting schools and encouraging young artists and readers. Bryan lives in New York with his wife and daughter. www.bryancollier.com

Editorial Reviews

"From the glowing vitality of the little girl, to the vivid scenes of jazz-age Harlem, to the compelling portrait of Langston at work, to the reverential peak into Langston’s home, the viewer’s eye is constantly drawn to intriguing bits and pieces while never losing the sense of the whole." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

A little girl and her father visit the house where acclaimed African-American poet Langston Hughes lived. A poet herself, the girl is thrilled. This beautifully illustrated story is a great introduction to the legendary writer.

bn.com

A little girl is going with her daddy to visit the home of Langston Hughes. She too is a poet who writes about the loves of her life-her mommy and daddy, hip-hop, hopscotch, and double-dutch, but decidedly not kissing games. Langston is her inspiration because his poems make her "dreams run wild." In simple, joyful verse Perdomo tells of this "Harlem girl" from "Harlem world" whose loving, supportive father tells her she is "Langston's genius child." The author's own admiration for Hughes's artistry and accomplishments is clearly felt in the voice of this glorious child. Langston's spirit is a gentle presence throughout the description of his East 127th Street home and his method of composing his poetry sitting by the window. The presentation is stunning. Each section of the poem is part of a two-page spread. Text, in yellow, white, or black, is placed either within the illustrations or in large blocks of color along side them. The last page of text is a compilation of titles of Hughes's poems printed in shades of gray in a myriad of fonts. Collier's (Martin's Big Words, 2001, etc.) brilliantly complex watercolor-and-collage illustrations provide the perfect visual complement to the work. From the glowing vitality of the little girl, to the vivid scenes of jazz-age Harlem, to the compelling portrait of Langston at work, to the reverential peak into Langston's home, the viewer's eye is constantly drawn to intriguing bits and pieces while never losing the sense of the whole. In this year of Langston Hughes's centennial, this work does him great honor.

Kirkus Reviews