Famous

by Naomi Shihab Nye, Lisa Desimini (Illustrator)

This book is specially designed in Amazon's fixed-layout KF8 format with region magnification. Double-tap on an area of text to zoom and read.  FAMOUS is a short illustrated poem. Both text and illustrations have a charmingly ironic take on what it means to be "famous." At once simple and profound, it "opens minds and hearts." Ironically, it is this famous poet's most famous poem, with an established fan base! FROM THE Over the years when I visited schools, students of all ages gathering in their libraries or auditoriums would often clamor to ask me, “Are you famous, Miss?” before I even began speaking about writing. The concept confounded me. Of course I could never say “Yes” and I realized that saying “No” might mean they would be less attentive, so I meditated on the oddity of the word and the concept itself and wrote this little poem that I could read whenever they asked. Sometimes they thought I was trying to trick them. Huh? Sometimes they laughed. But they always paid good attention afterwards, and I liked that the poem might bend their idea of what the word even means. Sometimes I started by saying “Everything is famous if you notice it. Sure, here’s my answer.” I think the poem has served me well. My biggest surprise has been, everyone always wants me to read this poem. I guess it is one of my three most often-requested poems. Teachers always mention it. Parents have told me they copy it on graduation cards for their high school seniors. I’ve seen it hand-printed on posters in many classrooms. Students participating in UIL public speaking competitions often recite it. It’s been printed on more than one standardized test. I allow it to be printed because I like to imagine students can have friendly moments even while taking ominous tests. Book artist Lisa Desimini, whose work I cherish and delight in, honored me by wanting to illustrate this poem and create a visual experience for the poem as well. Lisa and I imagine Famous as a possible gift book for people of all ages. People who have been famous to us, whom we wish to encourage, who are at a crossroads, who are graduating, who are nervous about the future, who want to be more or other than they are…

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

Naomi Shihab Nye was born to a Palestinian father and an American mother. During her high school years, she lived in Ramallah in Jordan, the Old City in Jerusalem, and San Antonio, Texas, where she later received her B.A. in English and world religions from Trinity University. She is a novelist, poet and songwriter.

She currently lives in San Antonio, Texas. She was elected a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets in 2010.

Reviews

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: FAMOUS by Naomi Shihab Nye and Lisa Desimini, Wings Press, September 2015, 32p., ISBN: 978-1-60940-449-9

“I’ll make you glad, you got me in with everything I do
And I’ll defend until the end the old red, white, and blue”
--The Byrds, “I Wanna Grow Up to be a Politician”

These days Donald Trump is famous. Perhaps, you wish you were Donald Trump so you could be famous in that way.

I just searched online for lists of people who are famous in the manner that we traditionally think of “famous.” Time magazine conveniently organizes their lists into categories of Leaders and Revolutionaries; Artists and Entertainers; Builders and Titans; Scientists and Thinkers; and Heroes and Icons.

In FAMOUS, Naomi Shihab Nye has envisioned “famous” in a whole new light. Perplexed by having young people ask her whether she was famous, she contemplated the concept of famousness and has created a whole new meaning for it in this poem. Nye sees “famous” as being relational, of importance on an individual basis where there is an impact of one person or thing upon another.

“...I want to be famous to shuffling men
who smile while crossing streets,
sticky children in grocery lines,
famous as the one who smiled back…”

Previously published in 1995, as part of Nye’s poetry collection Words Under the Words: Selected Poems, this poem has now been transformed into a stunning picture book.

For me, “Famous” is such an inspirational poem. It has me wondering how I might have an impact upon those whose paths I cross. Will they be glad to again see me coming their way? It causes me ponder what I might aspire to be known for, both on a daily basis and in the long run.

Illustrator Lisa Desimini is pretty famous in my world. In addition to illustrating some great picture books, she created the cover for the Newbery Medal winning Walk Two Moons. I’m also familiar with her exquisite cover art on several bestselling adult books by Barbara Kingsolver. Here, Desimini combines paint, found objects, and collage. I love the playfulness of these illustrations, such as the little boy having a tantrum in the library; the four birds in a circle looking out from their sanctuary in a hollow tree at the cat on the fence; and a wonderful painting of the poet, smiling.

“...I want to be famous in the way a pulley is famous,
or a buttonhole, not because it did anything spectacular,
but because it never forgot what it could do.”

These days, I’m famous to my two-year-old grandson. I love that he tells everyone that I’m his best friend. And I’m rejoicing that I have this wonderful new poem picture book to share with him.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
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[Grace Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet children’s book based on her poem “Famous”. The illustrations are beautiful and the poem takes wonder and appreciation of the ordinary in daily life.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetry
Naomi Shihab Nye, Lisa Desimini (Illustrator)
Famous
Wings Press
Hardcover, 978-1609404499, 32 pgs., $15.95
September 1, 2015

My Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives two definitions for "famous." The first is "widely known." The second is "honored for achievement." Naomi Shihab Nye, novelist, poet, beloved of Texas and famous in both senses, was often asked if she was famous by schoolchildren. She found the question "confounding" and wanted to know why whether she was famous mattered and what it meant. Shihab Nye's answer was "everything is famous if you notice it" and eventually became the poem, "Famous."

In this poem, Shihab Nye makes the point that every home is famous to its inhabitants, tears are "famous, briefly, to the cheek" and assures that each of us is famous to our families and friends. But my favorite part of this poem is when she tells us who she wants to be famous to:

I want to be famous to shuffling men
who smile while crossing streets,
sticky children in grocery lines,
famous as the one who smiled back.

Now that gives us something to aspire to. The lesson is sweetly inspirational with nary a cliche in sight, dedicated to "Your secret shining self. And to anyone who thinks nobody notices them." Lisa Desimini's illustrations are whimsical and suffused with rich color, including a playful portrait of the the poet and her famous braid.

This lovely little volume from Wings Press is appropriate not only for young children but also as a gift in this season of graduations. "Widely known" and "honored for achievement." In this Kardashian-Trump world, it's important that the children we are raising understand the differences between the two.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yep, this is a slight little book as the summary states, but better utilized and enjoyed as a writing lesson or an introduction or celebration of poetry. Not just a mere (dreaded) "gift book." The illustrations are wild and wonderful.

"The tear is famous, briefly, to the cheek."

[Joanne Church · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem.
Such a perfect poem, such a perfect venue to deliver the sentiments!

[Lovescaleb (Stacy L) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even what may seem the most insignificant thing can be the most magnificent part of someone's life. This made me think of Margaret Atwood's poem, "Variation on the Word Sleep," and how the speaker wants to be as significant to the other person as their breathing, which goes unnoticed but is so necessary. Being famous is to be significant in such small ways but to be necessary and in a powerful way. I want to be famous as words are on paper. Thank you, Naomi, for reminding us that we are all magnificent in extraordinary ways.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this poem and this poet. So much.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated version of one of my favorite poems of hers. I bought it when I was recording my version for YouTube. Great to buy for a child to interest them in poetry.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this poem, and was so excited to learn it was made into a picture book. Perfect for my classroom. We are reading the poem next week. This will be a great addition.

[Barbara Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again as I was preparing to give this book as a gift, I too k the opportunity to read it again. Every time I read it, I cherish it more! June 4, 2022: As I was preparing a copy of this book to give as a gift, I took the opportunity to read it again. LOVE it!!! --the poem is a favorite and the illustrations are WONDERFUL!

August 24, 2021: I absolutely love this book! The poem was a favorite even before I read the book. The illustrations are amazing! I always keep at least one copy on hand to share with others.

November 17, 2020: I fell in love with this poem so was excited to see that it had been made into a book. The illustrations are great. The book is truly a treasure. You will want a copy for yourself as well as extra copies to give as a gift.

[Casandria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple way of looking at what is famous...