I’ve shared a few picture books about poets before. Today I have three more, this time focused on African American poets George Moses Horton, Langston Hughes, and Maya Angelou.
Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton by Don Tate (Peachtree Publishers, 2015)
This is the inspiring story of George Moses Horton (1798-1884) a man born in slavery who taught himself to read, then earned money by writing poems for college students. He was the first black man to have his work published in the South. Even so he was not allowed to buy his freedom and was not emancipated until the Civil War. The book does a good job briefly explaining the historical context, including the work of abolitionists and the rise of slave revolts. The illustrations are a gentle complement to the story. A detailed author’s note explains how Tate initially didn’t want to write books about slavery but then saw the importance of it; he also gives more information about slavery in North Carolina and Horton’s life. A bibliography and endnotes are included too. Recommended for ages 6 to 10.
Langston’s Train Ride by Robert Burleigh, illustrated by Leonard Jenkins (Orchard Books, 2004)
This story about Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes (1901-1967) is told as a flashback. He has had his first book published and looks back to a time he was riding the train at eighteen years old and he composed the poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” (The poem is included at the end.) The story is told in the first person with a strong voice as Langston ponders the history of his people and what it means to be a poet. The pages of the book alternate between bright colours and bold illustrations. Included are a brief author’s note and an afterword that provides biographical information. Recommended for ages 8 to 10.
Rise: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou by Bethany Hegedus, illustrated by Tonya Engel (Lee & Low Books, 2019)
This picture book about Maya Angleou (1928-2014) covers her whole life in a poetic style, including her association with other writers and civil rights activists. Her childhood abuse is mentioned in a child-appropriate way (N.B. The author’s note is more blunt). The illustrations are lovely, colourful paintings. There is a foreword by Maya Angelou’s grandson and a detailed timeline (four pages long) with some info not included in the text (such as her two marriages) and five photographs. The book ends with resources about abuse, a bibliography, and quotation sources. Recommended for ages 10 to 12. (You’ll find another picture book about Angelou in this list.)