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Life Doesn't Frighten Me
Maya Angelou's poetic celebration of the courage within each person is matched by the daring vision of artist Basquiat, whose childlike style reveals the fanciful imaginings of childhood. In this introduction to poetry and contemporary art, brief biographies of Angelou and Basquiat accompany the text and artwork.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 1993
21 people are currently reading
4210 people want to read
About the author
Maya Angelou
295 books14.6k followersMaya Angelou was an American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Angelou's series of seven autobiographies focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of 17 and brought her international recognition and acclaim.
She became a poet and writer after a string of odd jobs during her young adulthood. These included fry cook, sex worker, nightclub performer, Porgy and Bess cast member, Southern Christian Leadership Conference coordinator, and correspondent in Egypt and Ghana during the decolonization of Africa. Angelou was also an actress, writer, director, and producer of plays, movies, and public television programs. In 1982, she was named the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Angelou was active in the Civil Rights Movement and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Beginning in the 1990s, she made approximately 80 appearances a year on the lecture circuit, something she continued into her eighties. In 1993, Angelou recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" (1993) at the first inauguration of Bill Clinton, making her the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since Robert Frost at the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961.
With the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou publicly discussed aspects of her personal life. She was respected as a spokesperson for Black people and women, and her works have been considered a defense of Black culture. Her works are widely used in schools and universities worldwide, although attempts have been made to ban her books from some U.S. libraries. Angelou's most celebrated works have been labeled as autobiographical fiction, but many critics consider them to be autobiographies. She made a deliberate attempt to challenge the common structure of the autobiography by critiquing, changing, and expanding the genre. Her books center on themes that include racism, identity, family, and travel.
She became a poet and writer after a string of odd jobs during her young adulthood. These included fry cook, sex worker, nightclub performer, Porgy and Bess cast member, Southern Christian Leadership Conference coordinator, and correspondent in Egypt and Ghana during the decolonization of Africa. Angelou was also an actress, writer, director, and producer of plays, movies, and public television programs. In 1982, she was named the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Angelou was active in the Civil Rights Movement and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Beginning in the 1990s, she made approximately 80 appearances a year on the lecture circuit, something she continued into her eighties. In 1993, Angelou recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" (1993) at the first inauguration of Bill Clinton, making her the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since Robert Frost at the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961.
With the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou publicly discussed aspects of her personal life. She was respected as a spokesperson for Black people and women, and her works have been considered a defense of Black culture. Her works are widely used in schools and universities worldwide, although attempts have been made to ban her books from some U.S. libraries. Angelou's most celebrated works have been labeled as autobiographical fiction, but many critics consider them to be autobiographies. She made a deliberate attempt to challenge the common structure of the autobiography by critiquing, changing, and expanding the genre. Her books center on themes that include racism, identity, family, and travel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 345 reviews
October 13, 2019
The poem might not frighten you, but Basquiat's pictures might. The blurb says that pictures are 'childlike' but anyone familiar with Basquiat's art would wonder at that. The book is ostensibly a children's book, but I just bought the 25th Anniversary hardback edition as an art book. I cannot imagine that any child would actually enjoy these harsh, self-referencing pictures.
Basquiat grew up in prosperous home but ran away at 15 and commenced his life of sex n drugs n ... rap. He was a grafitti artist, defacing or enhancing New York with his spray paint under the name of SAMO. He became associated with several galleries and patrons, most famously Andy Warhol's Factory. He'd always lived up on drugs and alcohol, but limited means bought limited supplies. The bounty that was fame brought money enough for excess, and at 27 he died from a heroin overdose.
His paintings, all his mixed-media art, reflected his harsh view of the world. The poem is very typical of Maya Angelou and reads especially well out loud. I don't think though it is a good pairing with the paintings, but that said, it's a wonderful art book, 5 stars.
This is the poem:
Basquiat grew up in prosperous home but ran away at 15 and commenced his life of sex n drugs n ... rap. He was a grafitti artist, defacing or enhancing New York with his spray paint under the name of SAMO. He became associated with several galleries and patrons, most famously Andy Warhol's Factory. He'd always lived up on drugs and alcohol, but limited means bought limited supplies. The bounty that was fame brought money enough for excess, and at 27 he died from a heroin overdose.
His paintings, all his mixed-media art, reflected his harsh view of the world. The poem is very typical of Maya Angelou and reads especially well out loud. I don't think though it is a good pairing with the paintings, but that said, it's a wonderful art book, 5 stars.
This is the poem:
Shadows on the wall
Noises down the hall
Life doesn't frighten me at all
Bad dogs barking loud
Big ghosts in a cloud
Life doesn't frighten me at all
Mean old Mother Goose
Lions on the loose
They don't frighten me at all
Dragons breathing flame
On my counterpane
That doesn't frighten me at all.
I go boo
Make them shoo
I make fun
Way they run
I won't cry
So they fly
I just smile
They go wild
Life doesn't frighten me at all.
Tough guys fight
All alone at night
Life doesn't frighten me at all.
Panthers in the park
Strangers in the dark
No, they don't frighten me at all.
That new classroom where
Boys all pull my hair
(Kissy little girls
With their hair in curls)
They don't frighten me at all.
Don't show me frogs and snakes
And listen for my scream,
If I'm afraid at all
It's only in my dreams.
I've got a magic charm
That I keep up my sleeve
I can walk the ocean floor
And never have to breathe.
Life doesn't frighten me at all
Not at all
Not at all.
Life doesn't frighten me at all.
November 2, 2018
Este poema de Maya Angelou llena de fe y esperanza; las pinturas de Basquiat que lo acompañan son precisas para expresar todo aquello que Angelou enlista, todo a lo que no tiene miedo. El contraste de esperanza del poema con lo oscuro y turbio del trabajo de Basquiat es super interesante.
Este libro es bastante de nicho, para amantes de poesía, arte o libros ilustrados.
Este libro es bastante de nicho, para amantes de poesía, arte o libros ilustrados.
September 29, 2018
This is an inspired coupling of the powerful words of Angelou and the striking paintings of Basquiat. Angelou gives us a simple poem about fears, bravery and ultimately about finding the fearlessness and faith in ourselves - words which are here matched and enhanced by the childlike and vivid style of Basquiat's art.
It's a mix of words and images that is powerful and intelligent as well as being both accessible and engaging.
It's a mix of words and images that is powerful and intelligent as well as being both accessible and engaging.
June 27, 2020
Kai užmačau šią vaikams skirtą knygą su Jean-Michel Basquiat piešiniais, pamaniau, naaa neeee, jis - ne vaikams. Jo kraupoki piešiniai gali virsti vaikų naktiniais košmarais. Va taip suveikė banali suaugelio psichologija.
Perskaičiau (garsiai) šį puikų Maya's Angelou eilėraštį su mano mylimo Basquiat'o iliustracijomis, ir taip pagailo, kad neturiu mažo vaiko su kuriuo galėčiau pasidalinti šia unikaliai išreikšta dviejų menininkų patirtimi.
Labai rekomenduoju.
Paklausykit ir pažiūrekit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN4_w...
Perskaičiau (garsiai) šį puikų Maya's Angelou eilėraštį su mano mylimo Basquiat'o iliustracijomis, ir taip pagailo, kad neturiu mažo vaiko su kuriuo galėčiau pasidalinti šia unikaliai išreikšta dviejų menininkų patirtimi.
Labai rekomenduoju.
Paklausykit ir pažiūrekit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN4_w...
February 8, 2017
To check out my reviews: http://dancinginth3dark.blogspot.com
I read this book a few years back and loved the simplicity of the poem and the beautiful artwork of Jean-Michel Basquiat. I discovered his artwork while I was in high school and I remember telling artist about him and they didn't have a clue who he was let alone his artwork.
Then I picked up this book again because I saw the democratic convention and saw this politician and he referenced Maya Angelou poem in his speech which I disliked because he twisted the meaning of her poem to satisfy his message and I am against using art in whichever format to cater to your propaganda. After his speech it peaked my interest and I decided to see Maya Angelou's bibliography and I saw that she has written a ton of books and particularly children books so I decided to invest and reread this book to give it a review.
This poem I believe is great for children because it showcases how when life gets roughed we as human beings tend to become cowards and hide away from our problems which isn't a great decision but a normal responses when we are clueless to solving our problems. With this poem it helps the reader to realize that yes life can we difficult in different periods of our life but at the end of the day we must face our problems head on and look for the silver-lining or the rainbow at the end of a storm.
This poem can resonates for everyone whether you are reading it to your child or as a grown adult trying to figure out what to do with our personal and professional life. Plus with the beautiful artwork as illustrations it makes the whole experience heartwarming and entertaining.
I read this book a few years back and loved the simplicity of the poem and the beautiful artwork of Jean-Michel Basquiat. I discovered his artwork while I was in high school and I remember telling artist about him and they didn't have a clue who he was let alone his artwork.
Then I picked up this book again because I saw the democratic convention and saw this politician and he referenced Maya Angelou poem in his speech which I disliked because he twisted the meaning of her poem to satisfy his message and I am against using art in whichever format to cater to your propaganda. After his speech it peaked my interest and I decided to see Maya Angelou's bibliography and I saw that she has written a ton of books and particularly children books so I decided to invest and reread this book to give it a review.
This poem I believe is great for children because it showcases how when life gets roughed we as human beings tend to become cowards and hide away from our problems which isn't a great decision but a normal responses when we are clueless to solving our problems. With this poem it helps the reader to realize that yes life can we difficult in different periods of our life but at the end of the day we must face our problems head on and look for the silver-lining or the rainbow at the end of a storm.
This poem can resonates for everyone whether you are reading it to your child or as a grown adult trying to figure out what to do with our personal and professional life. Plus with the beautiful artwork as illustrations it makes the whole experience heartwarming and entertaining.
September 18, 2011
This book is intense. Even though the poem is written as if from a child's perspective, that does not mean that it is light or easy. It is dark, and the paintings are dark. It is scary. I do not know what reaction a child might have to this (though I will certainly read it to my eventual hypothetical child - maybe not RIGHT before bed though ...), but I like the strength and vulnerability present in it. The awareness of the dangers of the world, of the reality of those dangers, and the commitment to not letting oneself live oppressed by that fear. And on the other hand, the awareness that such fear can never be entirely escaped because there are scary things that must be confronted and put in their place.
I really really love this book. It is beautiful, both the poem and the art, and it is readable (I read it aloud to my husband last night), but do not expect it to be a feel good read.
I really really love this book. It is beautiful, both the poem and the art, and it is readable (I read it aloud to my husband last night), but do not expect it to be a feel good read.
April 16, 2010
As a picture book for children, this combination of a poem by Maya Angelou and artwork by Jean-Michel Basquiat blends beautifully. The poem is one that children (or anyone) can easily identify with--confronting our demons, the challenges of the world. And Basquiat was a master at depicting demons.
As much as the book itself, the biographies of these two artists at the end reflect both the difficulties and the triumphs each faced and lived, the universal in the individual.
As much as the book itself, the biographies of these two artists at the end reflect both the difficulties and the triumphs each faced and lived, the universal in the individual.
April 5, 2020
Her words are magic ❤️
August 17, 2010
As soon as Julia saw the "dinosaur" on the cover I knew we'd be checking it out of the library. I didn't even bother looking at the author, title, or flipping through it because I knew I'd be in for the fight of my life so we just took it.
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw who the author was when we finally picked it up to read it.
Now about the book. Julia wasn't too thrilled to find out her dinosaur was really a dragon but she said it was going to be "a T-Rex just for me" so we picked ourselves up and kept going. She also thought the illustrations were a bit on the scary side and frankly, I have to agree with her.
The message is obvious and it's simple enough for a young child to grasp easily.
I absolutely adore the fact that in the back of the book, Angelou's life is told in a manner that kids can not only understand but be interested in. And, I adore a thousand times more the fact that Angelou is said to "stand as a thriving, proud example of a modern American woman. From past experience I've seen that most black authors are always "black and proud" or "a black man" or whatever else you can think of as long as you throw in "black". I don't see this, ever, with white authors and I don't like it either way. There is too much emphasis on the race of a person these days. Male and female I can see. Black and white? No. Not useful at all in my opinion. It doesn't matter a lick to me if an author (or anyone else) is black, white, brown, or green. I think the person that wrote that, whether it was Angelou herself or someone else, did her a great service by stating that she's a "proud American woman" while leaving her race out. She shouldn't be defined by her race, no one should.
I'll note that an authors race is specified, in a circumstance where there is no reason, I'll entirely skip over it. I don't wish to have my daughter seeing everyone as whether they're black or white when there is so much more, important, factors to a person.
I was pleasantly surprised when I saw who the author was when we finally picked it up to read it.
Now about the book. Julia wasn't too thrilled to find out her dinosaur was really a dragon but she said it was going to be "a T-Rex just for me" so we picked ourselves up and kept going. She also thought the illustrations were a bit on the scary side and frankly, I have to agree with her.
The message is obvious and it's simple enough for a young child to grasp easily.
I absolutely adore the fact that in the back of the book, Angelou's life is told in a manner that kids can not only understand but be interested in. And, I adore a thousand times more the fact that Angelou is said to "stand as a thriving, proud example of a modern American woman. From past experience I've seen that most black authors are always "black and proud" or "a black man" or whatever else you can think of as long as you throw in "black". I don't see this, ever, with white authors and I don't like it either way. There is too much emphasis on the race of a person these days. Male and female I can see. Black and white? No. Not useful at all in my opinion. It doesn't matter a lick to me if an author (or anyone else) is black, white, brown, or green. I think the person that wrote that, whether it was Angelou herself or someone else, did her a great service by stating that she's a "proud American woman" while leaving her race out. She shouldn't be defined by her race, no one should.
I'll note that an authors race is specified, in a circumstance where there is no reason, I'll entirely skip over it. I don't wish to have my daughter seeing everyone as whether they're black or white when there is so much more, important, factors to a person.
July 23, 2009
Shadows on the wall, noises down the hall. Life doesn’t frighten me at all
Bad dogs barking loud, big ghosts in a cloud. Life doesn’t frighten me at all
Mean old Mother Goose, lions on the loose. They don’t frighten me at all
Dragons breathing flame on my counterpane. That doesn’t frighten me at all.
I go boo, make them shoo
I make fun, way they run
I won’t cry, so they fly
I just smile, they go wild
Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
Tough guys fight, all alone at night. Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
Panthers in the park, strangers in the dark. No, they don’t frighten me at all.
That new classroom where boys all pull my hair. (Kissy little girls with their hair in curls)
They don’t frighten me at all.
Don’t show me frogs and snakes and listen for my scream
If I’m afraid at all, it’s only in my dreams.
I’ve got a magic charm that I keep up my sleeve
I can walk the ocean floor and never have to breathe.
Life doesn’t frighten me at all
Bad dogs barking loud, big ghosts in a cloud. Life doesn’t frighten me at all
Mean old Mother Goose, lions on the loose. They don’t frighten me at all
Dragons breathing flame on my counterpane. That doesn’t frighten me at all.
I go boo, make them shoo
I make fun, way they run
I won’t cry, so they fly
I just smile, they go wild
Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
Tough guys fight, all alone at night. Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
Panthers in the park, strangers in the dark. No, they don’t frighten me at all.
That new classroom where boys all pull my hair. (Kissy little girls with their hair in curls)
They don’t frighten me at all.
Don’t show me frogs and snakes and listen for my scream
If I’m afraid at all, it’s only in my dreams.
I’ve got a magic charm that I keep up my sleeve
I can walk the ocean floor and never have to breathe.
Life doesn’t frighten me at all
March 13, 2021
Maya Angelou’s courageous poem is remarkably paired with Jean-Michel Basquiat’s scarey and humorous art to face your fears and to live. Maya Angelou’s childhood was filled with trauma and prejudices, which she overcame to become a civil and human rights advocate, professor, writer, and poet. I have her autobiographical series but never got around to reading them all. I think this year it’s time. Jean-Michel Basquiat, who was born in Brooklyn created art through graffiti and paintings “weav[ing] together the rhythms and textures of the city and the techniques and traditions of fine arts.” In 1988 at the age of 27, he died of a drug overdose.
February 9, 2017
Life Doesn't Frighten Me - Maya Angelou, Jean-Michel Basquiat (Illustrator) I really can't imagine that I would have cared much for the art of Basquiat if the editor hadn't done such a fabulous job of pairing the words with the pictures. The result feels like a close collaboration, rather than an after-the-fact pairing. Nice back matter, for those who care, too.And a shout-out to my local librarians who always find new books to tempt me with in their displays, even when I'm in bit of a reading slump.Library copy
January 8, 2019
I wonder if Maya Angelou and Jean-Michel Basquiat are in heaven discussing this profound fusion of art and poetry.
September 17, 2014
This book was a poem. It has rhymes and it flowed. The book was about what someone would be frighten of. But the things mentioned did not seem to scare the character, the author. It seemed like they have courage or bravery since they were not frightened by what others would be.
The illustrations were very abstract in this book. Many of the illustrations were in a dark tone color or in bright color. When the picture was white the page was black and when the illustration was colorful, the page was white when the image was dark. The illustrations were fingerprint like. You also could notice that the first letter of the page was bolded and colored. It was very abstract.
The illustrations were very abstract in this book. Many of the illustrations were in a dark tone color or in bright color. When the picture was white the page was black and when the illustration was colorful, the page was white when the image was dark. The illustrations were fingerprint like. You also could notice that the first letter of the page was bolded and colored. It was very abstract.
August 20, 2013
I am fan of Maya Angelou's writing and Basquiat's art but their "collaboration" in the form of this book doesn't work all that great in my opinion. Mostly because there seems to be a big mismatch between Maya Angelou's positive/uplifting poem and the darker themes of Basquiat's paintings (the latter are not appropriate for many younger kids). Good try though...
January 28, 2013
i love this book! the juxtaposition of the beautiful words and violent art is amazing. i use it in clas at the beginning of the year and give each kid a "magic stone" to keep them safe at times they may feel frightened.
Read
August 6, 2020Made me cry, possibly because life does frighten me quite a bit.
Regardless, this was beautifully done and powerfully moving.
Regardless, this was beautifully done and powerfully moving.
January 25, 2018
Dramatis personae:
Jo, a teenage babysitter
Ellie, a 3-year-old.
Jo: Let's read this one!
Ellie: No. That looks scary.
Jo: Well, let's give it a try?
[begins reading]
Shadows on the wall, noises down the hall. Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
Bad dogs barking loud, big ghosts in a cloud. Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
Ellie: This is a bad book. These pictures are scary.
Jo: Should we stop?
Ellie: Yes. No.
Jo: [finishes reading]
Ellie: That was a very bad book. Who is that lady? [points to author photo]
Jo: That's Maya Angelou! She wrote the book.
Ellie: I don't like her.
Fin.
[Closed course, do not attempt. This is a gorgeous, oversized art book for adults. A master teacher or librarian could use it in a classroom with kids over 5, but random babysitters should not try this at home.]
Jo, a teenage babysitter
Ellie, a 3-year-old.
Jo: Let's read this one!
Ellie: No. That looks scary.
Jo: Well, let's give it a try?
[begins reading]
Shadows on the wall, noises down the hall. Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
Bad dogs barking loud, big ghosts in a cloud. Life doesn’t frighten me at all.
Ellie: This is a bad book. These pictures are scary.
Jo: Should we stop?
Ellie: Yes. No.
Jo: [finishes reading]
Ellie: That was a very bad book. Who is that lady? [points to author photo]
Jo: That's Maya Angelou! She wrote the book.
Ellie: I don't like her.
Fin.
[Closed course, do not attempt. This is a gorgeous, oversized art book for adults. A master teacher or librarian could use it in a classroom with kids over 5, but random babysitters should not try this at home.]
July 14, 2019
Look. It’s a poem by Maya Angelou and artwork by Basquiat. Separately, they are artistic masterpieces. I get what the editor was doing in trying to put them together, and I guess it kind of works, but not for kids. Every single kid I showed this to found the art work terrifying. The message of the poem couldn’t get through.
March 31, 2018
For those days when you need to remind yourself 'Life doesn't frighten me"!
A collection of poems reminding children and adults to be aware of your fears, but don't let them paralyse you.
When you combine two iconic people, words by Maya Angelou and art Jean-Michael Basquiat you're onto to a winner.
A teacher could do great things with this!
A collection of poems reminding children and adults to be aware of your fears, but don't let them paralyse you.
When you combine two iconic people, words by Maya Angelou and art Jean-Michael Basquiat you're onto to a winner.
A teacher could do great things with this!
September 12, 2022
Maya Angelou made youth seem like something awaiting far off in the future through her lively poetry and I just can’t help but to adore every poem she has every written. To then find combination of her poetry and Basquiat’s art is just top ten anime crossovers ever.
July 6, 2023
Reflections and lessons learned/the content of this book made me feel…
“Don't show me the frogs and snakes
And listen for my scream,
If I'm afraid at all
It's only in my dreams”
The perfect marriage of strong but vulnerable words and pictures that show that life can be challenging, but humans stronger… 💪
“Don't show me the frogs and snakes
And listen for my scream,
If I'm afraid at all
It's only in my dreams”
The perfect marriage of strong but vulnerable words and pictures that show that life can be challenging, but humans stronger… 💪
April 6, 2018
Basquiat did the illustrations for this. Delicious.
June 20, 2020
The strong words of Maya Angelou accompanied by the vivid urban art of Basquiat. Enthralling.
March 20, 2010
"Shadows on the wall, noises down the hall, Life doesn't frighten me at all." Maya Angelou hits home with this dark but real book. The pages are black written with white letters. The illustrations are abstract paintings by Jean-Michel Basquial.It is a picture book but the words and the message can be read by students in any age. Students can interpret her words any way they want. It is a great discussion book by asking students what they are afraid of. It opens many doors and possibilities. I would ask students to illustrate what they are afraid of. Life Doesn't Frighten Me teaches students not to be afraid of anything at all.
Read
December 2, 2014Life Doesn't Frighten Me is a poem about fearlessness. It describes the things that people can be afraid of but it also brings a sense of bravery to it as well. Through this book, children will be able to see that they can overcome their fears. The illustrations are child-like however, it can appeal to children so that they can better relate to it through the illustrations. Overall, this is a great book for children to read and finish it feeling empowered.
November 3, 2016
This book is engaging and has really neat artistic illustrations for students in kindergarten through first grade. It goes through different scenarios that could happen to people in life and how life doesn’t frighten them at all. I could use this book when teaching about emotions. How it is okay if certain things are freighting, but also teach them how to be brave and how to overcome their fears to make them not frightened anymore.
May 23, 2008
This book incorporates the art of writing and the art of creating paintings. Maya Angelou wrote a poem for kids and Jean-Michel Basquiat created paintings to go along with the poem. This is a great example of art and writing coming together, and can be used in both a young classroom or an older classroom to teach students how they can incorporate images and words.
February 7, 2011
Life may not frighten me, but I must admit that many of Basquiat's paintings leave me feeling unsettled. I love Maya Angelou's poem though, and I think the combination of paintings and stanzas is good.
November 6, 2008
Poignant and beautiful. Life doesn't frighten me--theme but well-honed so as not to be preachy. Good illustrations.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 345 reviews