the palm of my heart written by african american children and illustrated by gregory christie

Adedjouma, Davida. The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children, Illustrated by Gregory Christie. New York: Lee & Low, 1996. ISBN: 9781880000762

Critical Analysis:

     The Palm of my Heart is an anthology of poetry written by African American children. This collection explores their self-definition as it relates to the word ‘black.’ Lucille Clifton, the author of the introduction, presents this collection by mentioning the impact of the word ‘black’ specifically referencing the skin color of African Americans. This particular collection is comprised of poetry that varies in length, but upholds many elements of poetry including: structure, flow, rhyme schemes, and literary devices. In the Spotlight Poem below, the author Andreya Renee Allen, organizes her poem within three stanzas. The beginning of her poem is introduced with the metaphor ‘black is beautiful.’ Not only does the author use a metaphor as her introduction, but this metaphor is within the refrain ‘black is beautiful, black is me.’ This refrain provides audiences with a fun participatory element where they can join in saying aloud. 

     Alongside every poem are illustrations that were created using acrylic and colored pencil. These illustrations depict African American life as it is described in each poem. Among these illustrations the artist, Gregory Christie, utilizes vibrant colors and images that bring homage to African American life and history. This compilation of poetry sheds light of the meaning of the word ‘black’ while exuding self-definition depicted through the young minds of African American children. 

Spotlight Poem:

Black is beautiful

Black is me

Black is the color

          can’t you see

          that

blue is nice,

And orange is neat

But they can’t compete

           because

Black is beautiful

Black is me

Tall, dark, and wonderful

     see!

                     - Andreya Renee Allen

Connections:

• Have children tell you to describe the word ‘black.’ What is it that comes to the children’s minds? Is it skin color? Darkness? Nighttime?  Now have children describe how the word ‘black’ makes them feel. 
• This book is a good teaching mechanism that focuses on embracing who you are. Share with children that everyone is different from the shape of their eyes, to their height, to the color of their skin; however, everyone is a person and everyone has feelings.