My Song Is Beautiful: Poems and Pictures in Many Voices

by Mary Ann Hoberman (Editor), Toni de Gerez (Translator), Andrea Arroyo (Illustrator)

Fourteen diverse, first-person poems on the power of childhood are accompanied by distinctive illustrations of fourteen artists, in this multicultural poetry anthology.

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books

32 pages, Library Binding

First published April 1, 1994

About the author

Mary Ann Hoberman was an American author of over 30 children's books.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A delightful collection of poems about identity with diverse viewpoints.

I enjoyed it before coming a father and shared it with my daughter once she was old enough to appreciate it, and she liked it too.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contents:

• My Song: A Toltec Poem from Ancient Mexico / Toni de Gerez, translator; Andrea Arroyo, illustrator
• Birth / Langston Hughes, writer; Ashley Bryan, illustrator
• Beginning on Paper / Ruth Krauss, writer; Elisa Kleven, illustrator
• Me / Karla Kuskin, writer; Irana Shepherd, illustrator
• The Drum / Nikki Giovanni, writer; David Diaz, illustrator
• A Song of Greatness: A Chippewa Indian Song / Mary Austin, translator; Bernie Fuchs, illustrator
• Me I Am / Jack Prelutsky, writer; Keiko Narahashi, illustrator
• I Know Someone / Michael Rosen, writer; Susan Meddaugh, illustrator
• Ayii, Ayii, Ayii: A Central Eskimo Chant / James Houston, translator; Dale DeArmond, illustrator
• No Shadow in the Water / Nicole Hernandez, writer; Carol Palmer, illustrator
• You and I / Mary Ann Hoberman, writer; P.S. 16 students with artist Catherine De Vuono, illustrators
• In a Hermit's Cottage / Kim Soo-Jang, writer; Virginia Olsen Baron, translator; Yoriko Ito, illustrator
• Who Am I? / Felice Holman, writer; Holly Meade, illustrator
• The End / A. A. Milne, writer; David McPhail, illustrator
• Notes on the Poets and Artists

[Sydney Funk · Rating 4 out of 5]

• An arrangement of poems that exposes readers to different artistic and literary styles. This collection of fourteen poems and illustrations is diverse and from many cultures.
• Grades 1-5
• This would be a great book for a poetry unit in an English class.
• Individual students that may enjoy this collection of poems include any student that enjoys poetry or imagery.
• This could be used in a group setting during a literature circle. Students can use this collection of poems to celebrate diversity. Students may do a project as a group analyzing a poem of their choice.
• This could be used in a whole class setting with students from diverse backgrounds to discuss the cultures that influenced each poem.
• Other books like this include: A House is a House for me: by Mary Ann Hoberman
• This book is available through amazon and is an ebook.

[Paul Hankins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of poems brought together by NCTE Award Winning Poet, Mary Ann Hoberman, on the theme of diversity and the gift that is the innate uniqueness of each and every one of us. Surprising poems found in this collection by Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni, and A. A. Milne.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prolific children's author Mary Ann Hoberman gathers fourteen poems celebrating our human uniqueness and connection in this picture book anthology, with each poem accompanied by the artwork of a different illustrator. Each poem offers a reflection on the poet's self—who they are, the songs they sing and music they make, the way they interact with the world—with contributors ranging from well-known classic authors such as Langston Hughes and A.A. Milne, to more contemporary ones (usually children's authors) such as Jack Prelutsky, Michael Rosen, and Ruth Krauss. The book closes with a section giving more information on each contributing author and illustrator...

I initially sought out My Song Is Beautiful: Poems and Pictures in Many Voices because I have recently been enjoying the artwork of illustrator Yoriko Ito, who is one of the contributing illustrators here. Her acrylic and mixed media painting, accompanying In a Hermit's Cottage by Kim Soo-Jang, was quite lovely. That being said, I ended up enjoying all of the poems and illustrations here, most especially Mary Ann Hoberman's You and I, illustrated by some of the young students she worked with in a Brooklyn school, Langston Hughes' Birth, illustrated by Ashley Bryan, and the Toltec poem My Song, translated by Toni de Gerez and illustrated by Andrea Arroyo. The latter, in particular, made me want to track down more of the work of translator (especially in this vein) and illustrator. Recommended to young poetry lovers, and to picture book readers exploring issues of the self, and of self-expression.

[Shannon Bradbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

A poetry book of 14 different poems written from around the world. Some of the poems written were beautiful. While others were simple. I really enjoyed the poems written about the Chippewa Indian Song.

[Kathleen Naytia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me want to be a writer! Specifically the Karla Kuskin poem "Me"

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. Genre: Poetry
2. Summary: This book is a compilation of fourteen poems each written in the first person. Each poem is written by a different author (some translated from a different language) and its pictures are from different illustrators.
A. Area of Comment: Style
Since this is a compilation of poems and illustrations from different people in different cultures, the style of the book is worthy of comment.
B. Each author has their own unique style and voice in each of these poems. They range from whimsical to thought provoking to empowering. Each poem also is accompanied by its own unique illustrations that enhance the viewing pleasure for the reader.
C. One poem called A Song of Greatness which is a Chippewa Indian song translated by Mary Austin is a great example of how powerful and moving these pieces of prose can be. The poem talks about how the old men of the tribe speak of great deeds and the writer of the poem talks of how mighty he will be. The illustration greatly compliments the poem because it shows a young boy in full Chippewa gear and behind him in the mist is his ancestors mounted upon their horses.
Curriculum Connection:
This is a great book for teachers to introduce students to poetry and show the diversity in each of them as they come from different cultures. In the back is a page that has a short bio on each author and illustrator. This could be a good starting point for students to research and find out about their favorite author or illustrator from the book.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book style anthology of fourteen short poems, each illustrated by a different artist, each speaking in the first person about the narrator’s selfhood and experience in the world. The poems—most by writers from diverse cultures, several traditional—express many moods—stirring, comic, radiantly peaceful, intriguing, gross-out (!)—in free verse or in rhyme and fixed meter. The illustrations are also quite various; many are powerful, engaging, and/or beautiful, and all complement and extend the themes of the poems. Plenty here for young readers to puzzle over, explore, and enjoy. Gr. 3-5

(SLJ) These are ``feel good about yourself'' poems that will be successful with many age levels. A first-rate collection that definitely deserves consideration.

(Booklist) Each double-page spread makes its own world of words and pictures, and that's how this anthology will be best used, one poem at a time, to read aloud and linger over and find "myself" as "a piece of it all."

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this collection, Hoberman compiles fourteen poems reflecting different styles and cultures, all tied together with the common thread of first-person writing about childhood. Contemporary American poets mingle with Toltec, Chippewa Indian, Central Eskimo and Korean voices, A.A. Milne, a seventh-grade student, and more to celebrate children’s special qualities and shared experiences. Each poem is paired with an illustration using a complementary style, so each page boasts a different artistic technique that showcases the culture the poem represents. I would recommended using this book to introduce early poetry readers to different poetry styles from a multicultural perspective.

[Glenn Jacobson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of poetry is a comprehensive collection of artwork and verse representing numerous cultures and places. The artwork complements the poems by being just as diverse and beautiful. Pages containing translations of traditional Chippewa Indian songs and a poem by Langston Hughes are prime examples of the authenticity of this book. Some of the poems are just whimsical and fun, so there is no surprise that this book has received a lot of recognition.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated anthology of poems written by various authors. Each poem is short and simplistic enough for young students to be able to read and comprehend, yet the poems are richly embedded with underlying messages and meaning. The poems are written in a variety of literary styles, so there is something for every type of poetry-lover.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poem: You and I

[Maimuna Haque · Rating 5 out of 5]

good