I, Too, Sing America

by Langston Hughes, Katie Crumpton (Illustrator)

Overview

" 'I, Too,' one of preeminent African American poet and intellectual Langston Hughes' most influential literary works, is reinstantiated and reinterpreted transhistorically in this board-book adaptation of the 1926 poem. The text reproduces the lines of the poem verbatim while Crumpton's vivid, saturated, digital illustrations present contemporary scenes of a young Black boy's life." —Kirkus Reviews

This beautifully illustrated board book brings to life I, Too, Langston Hughes' iconic American poem about perseverance.

Langston Hughes's inspirational poem I, Too is one of America's most famous. This board book edition brings Hughes's powerful declaration of resilience and hope to young readers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781499812701
Publisher:	little bee books
Publication date:	12/28/2021
Pages:	20
Sales rank:	89,017
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 6.80(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Langston Hughes is an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. He was born on February 1, 1902, and passed away May 22, 1967.

Katie Crumpton is an illustrator and designer who loves drawing cute and whimsical artworks. Her books include More Bees Please!, Dark Water Magic, and Library Alive!. Her primary focus is in children's books, but she is also interested in licensing, animation, and interactive illustration. Katie is a local to the San Francisco Bay Area, selling her work at craft fairs on the weekends.

Editorial Reviews

2021-12-03
“I, Too,” one of preeminent African American poet and intellectual Langston Hughes’ most influential literary works, is reinstantiated and reinterpreted transhistorically in this board-book adaptation of the 1926 poem.

The text reproduces the lines of the poem verbatim while Crumpton’s vivid, saturated, digital illustrations present contemporary scenes of a young Black boy’s life. The boy, who oozes confidence, cheerfulness, and optimism, is shown introducing readers to his neighborhood and his loving nuclear family. As he grows older, he attends Joe Biden's inauguration (Biden is not shown in the artwork), where he watches Amanda Gorman deliver the inaugural poem; attends an anti-racist protest with his parents and siblings; excels academically; and graduates from college. At the book’s closing, the boy has grown into a happy, fulfilled man living in a pleasant suburban neighborhood with a nuclear family of his own. Although Langston’s well-known lines are simple, they are well modulated, expressing various shades of meaning and emotion; unfortunately, this book, with its relentlessly upbeat visuals, feels incongruously one-note. While not particularly dynamic, the artwork offers an uplifting portrait of racial and societal progress and includes characters of various races.

A well-intentioned attempt to pass on poetic wisdom of historical and enduring significance to beginner readers. (Board book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews