Cherish Me

by Joyce Carol Thomas, Nneka Bennett (Illustrations)

From National Book Award winner Joyce Carol Thomas comes an uplifting message about identify and self-esteem. First published in her award-winning collection of poetry Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea, this prose poem carries with it a heartfelt message for young children, who are just learning to appreciate their own unique and wonderful qualities. Illustrated with stunning watercolor paintings by Nneka Bennett, this picture books is filled with beauty and grace.

20 pages, Hardcover

First published August 28, 1998

About the author

Joyce Carol Thomas was an internationally renowned author who received the National Book Award for her first novel, Marked By Fire, and a Coretta Scott King Honor for her first picture book, Brown Honey In Broomwheat Tea. Her other titles include I Have Heard Of A Land, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book; The Gospel Cinderella; cCrowning Glory; Gingerbread Days; and A Gathering Of Flowers. Ms. Thomas lived in Berkeley, California.

Reviews

[Natalie Raymond · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short and sweet poem book can be read to children, specifically black children, of all ages to love their skin and things that make them unique. Nneka Bennett did a wonderful job portraying the main character as a child and not to exaggerate any features. She even brought out specific details such baby hairs and wispy fly-aways, something most other illustrators would overlook. Even if a small child in kindergarten can't read the words on the page the pictures allow them to make up their own story if they choose to do so.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the format a little odd -- a relatively short poem illustrated and turned into a book. But it's a lovely poem and makes a lovely book.