Willie Perdomo

A rhythmic poem in praise of Langston Hughes and the writer's craft. The poem is presented by a young girl who is off to visit Hughes's Harlem home with her father. It begins, "Today I'm going to wear/My favorite pink blouse/I'm going with my daddy/To visit Langston's house." Readers quickly learn that, like Hughes, the girl is a writer and resident of Harlem. Powerful in its simplicity, the text explores the child's special connection to the famous man. "He can tell you why my/Dreams run show more wild/Why Daddy says I'm like/Langston's genius child." Text and illustrations complement one another perfectly as the pages of the book come to life with energetic purpose and delight. Done with a mixture of collage and watercolor with dramatic results, Collier's artwork uses muted shades of green, purple, and brown and yet shines with brilliant bits of patterns and textures. While this is obviously an urban landscape, the girl's enthusiasm and talent have universal appeal. Be sure to use this impressive collaboration to introduce young readers to the life and work of the poet (a brief author's note with some dates and titles is included) but be sure it reaches young writers as well. show less

Willie Perdomo is the new NY State Poet Laureate, so I wanted to check out his book of poetry, and it is great! The poems illustrate their time-period but are also completely relevant to the present. I’m sure hearing them performed aloud would add so much more to them.

Willie Perdomo is the new NY State Poet Laureate, so I wanted to check out his book of poetry, and it is great! The poems illustrate their time-period but are also completely relevant to the present. I’m sure hearing them performed aloud would add so much more to them.

Excellent as always. There were times that I was simply enjoying the rhythm of the writing, but I think that's ok, and the story comes together even for someone not privy to every reference. I bought this at Lit Bar in the Bronx, very sad that I missed the signing.