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In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers
Twelve black writers, ranging from young to middle age, bear witness to the powerful bond between African-American fathers and their children and grandchildren in a collection of poetry illustrated with a broad range of colorful materials.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1997
3 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
Javaka Steptoe
17 books51 followersSon of the great John Steptoe, Javaka Steptoe won the Coretta Scott King Award in 1998 for his debut in illustration, In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
April 15, 2018
From the first pages of IN DADDY'S ARMS I AM TALL: AFRICAN AMERICANS CELEBRATING FATHERS:
"When you follow in the path of your father,
you learn to walk like him." Ashanti Proverb
The poems in this collection capture those special feelings for fathers that are often spoken in retrospect, like Robert Hayden's "Those Winter Sundays." Here, the poems about fathers--African American fathers--are celebrated in present tense AND in nostalgia.
Angela Johnson speaks of her memories of her father's hands, hard and calloused from making bricks, in "Her Daddy's Hands":
But on Sundays,
those hands, you see
felt soft,
and I would hold hers and walk her to church
Quietly,
Him in black, her in white
along those red Alabama roads.
Dakari Hru's poem, "Tickle Tickle" recalls a playful game between a father and a daughter. The piece calls to mind Theodore Rhoethke's "My Papa's Waltz." Is this a game? Is there something more to this memory? Hru's piece is written in a playful, vernacular-rich style that begs for read-aloud:
me papa tickle me feet
he call it "finger treat"
me scream and run each time he come
me papa tickle me feet
"The Things in Black Men's Closets" is a tender piece, looking at how memories are stored away. A younger narrator in the piece watches his father search "between sweaters and suits/looking for something missing/a tie perhaps." There is some real power in that last line, something that might get overlooked on a casual read. E. Ethelbert Miller's poem would be neat to workshop.
Javaka Steptoe, the son of classic picture book author/illustrator John Steptoe, not only illustrates the collection with his captivating collages (created with coins and fabric, pieces left over from a renovation project in Brooklyn, parts from an old tin roof, seeds). Steptoe's illustrations really bring the package of the collection together, but he offers this piece that speaks to the vocation--of caring for and rendering words and images--that has been passed down to him in "Seeds":
You drew pictures of life
with your words.
I listened and ate these words you said
to grow up strong.
Like the trees, I grew,
branches, leaves, flowers, and then the fruit.
I became the words I ate in you.
For better or worse
the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
As National Poetry Month approaches, this 1997 collection of poems, from Lee and Low Books, is not to be missed.
"When you follow in the path of your father,
you learn to walk like him." Ashanti Proverb
The poems in this collection capture those special feelings for fathers that are often spoken in retrospect, like Robert Hayden's "Those Winter Sundays." Here, the poems about fathers--African American fathers--are celebrated in present tense AND in nostalgia.
Angela Johnson speaks of her memories of her father's hands, hard and calloused from making bricks, in "Her Daddy's Hands":
But on Sundays,
those hands, you see
felt soft,
and I would hold hers and walk her to church
Quietly,
Him in black, her in white
along those red Alabama roads.
Dakari Hru's poem, "Tickle Tickle" recalls a playful game between a father and a daughter. The piece calls to mind Theodore Rhoethke's "My Papa's Waltz." Is this a game? Is there something more to this memory? Hru's piece is written in a playful, vernacular-rich style that begs for read-aloud:
me papa tickle me feet
he call it "finger treat"
me scream and run each time he come
me papa tickle me feet
"The Things in Black Men's Closets" is a tender piece, looking at how memories are stored away. A younger narrator in the piece watches his father search "between sweaters and suits/looking for something missing/a tie perhaps." There is some real power in that last line, something that might get overlooked on a casual read. E. Ethelbert Miller's poem would be neat to workshop.
Javaka Steptoe, the son of classic picture book author/illustrator John Steptoe, not only illustrates the collection with his captivating collages (created with coins and fabric, pieces left over from a renovation project in Brooklyn, parts from an old tin roof, seeds). Steptoe's illustrations really bring the package of the collection together, but he offers this piece that speaks to the vocation--of caring for and rendering words and images--that has been passed down to him in "Seeds":
You drew pictures of life
with your words.
I listened and ate these words you said
to grow up strong.
Like the trees, I grew,
branches, leaves, flowers, and then the fruit.
I became the words I ate in you.
For better or worse
the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
As National Poetry Month approaches, this 1997 collection of poems, from Lee and Low Books, is not to be missed.
April 19, 2012
In my fathers arms I am tall is a book of poetry. It is for readers in the intermediate age range of 8-12 yrs old. This book is a collection of 13 poems from 12 different poets. This book talks about the bond and empowering relationships of father's and grandfather's with their children. This book at first glance appears to be for the african american father only but this book is for all father's of all nationalities. I Loved It!! This book was so inspiring to read. The picture illustrations were beautiful. The artist used torn paper, cut paper with pastel and the collages and the paintings contain many found objects. Some objects include scraps from a tin ceiling, floorboards salvaged from a building renovation in Brooklyn New York among others. The pictures were real art images in my eyes. It is beautiful. The title itself is very catchy to the reader and from it alone I think a young reader would pick up the book. Children look up to their fathers. Their father's are their heros and they would be willing to read anything that described a father being a hero. This book won the Coretta Scott King Award
March 5, 2012
I love the concept of this book and liked the poetry that was included, but wanted more! It felt like a very short version of an anthology that could have included many more poems on the topic of African American fathers.
What is perhaps even more striking than the poetry itself are the illustrations! Javaka Steptoe's art is a brilliant mix of found materials, drawings, collages, paintings, abstract images and literal ones. One page has simple figures made from torn construction paper, while another page includes construction paper figures, crumpled brown paper, acrylic paint and dirt arranged into a collage of African Americans planting seeds in the soil and little black babies being born from these plants. The use of contrasting textures and unconventional materials (window screens, wood boards, actual fish used as stamps, tiny seashells and ribbon, among others) make each page a wonder to behold.
What is perhaps even more striking than the poetry itself are the illustrations! Javaka Steptoe's art is a brilliant mix of found materials, drawings, collages, paintings, abstract images and literal ones. One page has simple figures made from torn construction paper, while another page includes construction paper figures, crumpled brown paper, acrylic paint and dirt arranged into a collage of African Americans planting seeds in the soil and little black babies being born from these plants. The use of contrasting textures and unconventional materials (window screens, wood boards, actual fish used as stamps, tiny seashells and ribbon, among others) make each page a wonder to behold.
November 7, 2018
Stunning. Poetry in several different formats and lengths, and artwork that is more like what you'd see in a museum than what you'd expect in a picture book. But also accessible and engaging, even if you're not a black child....
May 11, 2023
My daughter grabbed this from the library. Our copy was a Wonderbook, meaning it plays an audiobook while you flip through the pages. There were multiple narrators and all three of my kids (5, 4, 3) were engaged through the whole book!
September 1, 2018
A collection of poems honouring Black fathers. Fun illustrations.
August 18, 2019
The title poem was my favorite in this collection. Overall enjoyable.
I read this book as part of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards 50th anniversary challenge promoted through the LA Public Libraries.
I read this book as part of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards 50th anniversary challenge promoted through the LA Public Libraries.
November 21, 2009
Recommended for Ages 8 and up
From Booklist
The son of John Steptoe has a true winner in fact, receiving the 1998 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for his first picture book. Javaka Steptoe creates a splendid series of images in mixed media--from found objects, torn and cut paper, and color--to illustrate a series of short poems about fathers. From the stark simplicity of David Anderson's "Promises," with its cut-paper silhouette figure of a child's hug seen from behind his dad, to the many-layered image of shells, kente cloth, and paper for Sonia Sanchez's "My Father's Eyes," to the shirt made from a scrap of old tin ceiling in the evocative illustration for Carole Boston Weatherford's "Farmer," these arresting illustrations are a rich foil for the singing tenderness of the poetry. Different in spirit and texture but with the same warmth and joy as Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly's Lots of Dads (1997), this promises read-aloud and read-to-share comfort for many readings and rereadings. GraceAnne A. DeCandido
To be honest, I first enjoyed this collection of poetry because of the illustrations, which are beautiful collage that vary from very ornate to stunningly simple. When I really read the poems, I loved how the book really celebrates all fathers. The poem "Promises" by David A. Anderson was simple and strong, and it tugged at my heart. I cried while reading many of these poems. I cried because I am thankful for the fathers I have had in my life and cried for the fathers I have not had. These are beautiful poems, but each different from the other. I might read some of these poems to my first graders, particularly the one entitled "My Granddaddy is My Daddy Too".
From Booklist
The son of John Steptoe has a true winner in fact, receiving the 1998 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for his first picture book. Javaka Steptoe creates a splendid series of images in mixed media--from found objects, torn and cut paper, and color--to illustrate a series of short poems about fathers. From the stark simplicity of David Anderson's "Promises," with its cut-paper silhouette figure of a child's hug seen from behind his dad, to the many-layered image of shells, kente cloth, and paper for Sonia Sanchez's "My Father's Eyes," to the shirt made from a scrap of old tin ceiling in the evocative illustration for Carole Boston Weatherford's "Farmer," these arresting illustrations are a rich foil for the singing tenderness of the poetry. Different in spirit and texture but with the same warmth and joy as Shelley Rotner and Sheila M. Kelly's Lots of Dads (1997), this promises read-aloud and read-to-share comfort for many readings and rereadings. GraceAnne A. DeCandido
To be honest, I first enjoyed this collection of poetry because of the illustrations, which are beautiful collage that vary from very ornate to stunningly simple. When I really read the poems, I loved how the book really celebrates all fathers. The poem "Promises" by David A. Anderson was simple and strong, and it tugged at my heart. I cried while reading many of these poems. I cried because I am thankful for the fathers I have had in my life and cried for the fathers I have not had. These are beautiful poems, but each different from the other. I might read some of these poems to my first graders, particularly the one entitled "My Granddaddy is My Daddy Too".
March 19, 2019
Genre: Collection of Poetry
Award: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
Audience: 3rd-5th grade
A. This is a collection of poems, so as a result, the type of poetry differs. Most of the poems are narrative; some are free verse and some have a rhyme scheme. There are even two Haiku poems (5-7-5) within these collection. All of these poems, however, are united by their common theme, celebrating African American Fathers.
B. All of these poems use sensory imagery to draw the reader into the story of the poem. Some use visual imagery by painting the picture of what the author sees through his/her own life. Some use physical, touch imagery, such as "Tickle Tickle" where the father tickles the son and the author describes the feelings and the laughter. The Haiku, "Lightning Jumpshot" uses the symbolism of a storm to give imagery to the excitement, sounds, and feelings of playing basketball with a father.
C. CREATE level: Create the title of your own collection of poems that includes something that means a lot to you and what it does. My title: A Book in my Hands, the World at my Fingertips: a Celebration of Imagination and Daydreams.
Award: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
Audience: 3rd-5th grade
A. This is a collection of poems, so as a result, the type of poetry differs. Most of the poems are narrative; some are free verse and some have a rhyme scheme. There are even two Haiku poems (5-7-5) within these collection. All of these poems, however, are united by their common theme, celebrating African American Fathers.
B. All of these poems use sensory imagery to draw the reader into the story of the poem. Some use visual imagery by painting the picture of what the author sees through his/her own life. Some use physical, touch imagery, such as "Tickle Tickle" where the father tickles the son and the author describes the feelings and the laughter. The Haiku, "Lightning Jumpshot" uses the symbolism of a storm to give imagery to the excitement, sounds, and feelings of playing basketball with a father.
C. CREATE level: Create the title of your own collection of poems that includes something that means a lot to you and what it does. My title: A Book in my Hands, the World at my Fingertips: a Celebration of Imagination and Daydreams.
May 3, 2018
This book has a combination of African Americans culture. This book made a perfect combination of illustrations and texts and used the form of poetry to describe the topic of African American fathers and grandfathers. This book made a perfect combination of illustrations and texts and used the form of poetry to describe the topic of African American fathers. At the same time, this book depicts the child and father living together and expressing the family's love for warmth. This book has 13 different poems. Each poem is very interesting and reflects the fatherly love. In addition, this book is very suitable for use in teaching. Let students understand that what is special about a father? A grandfather? What are some things fathers and grandfathers can teach children? Through these guiding problems, reading courses become more interactive.
May 11, 2019
I LOVED the poem entitled "Promises" about the son asking if he would always be his father's little boy despite not doing what he told him to do. The father's response...Man! Made my heart feel full. I would love to share this with young children.
Another line I loved: "...He gave me the urge to make characters with meat on their bones, and flesh-colored tones, written in words as vivid as a 64 color box of crayons. I write, he drew. Daddy, thank you."
I listened to the audiobook and thought it was incredibly relaxing to listen to. I loved this book, and I'm glad that I was able to request it via Libby - my library ended up buying the book, and I immediately was put on hold and received it.
Another line I loved: "...He gave me the urge to make characters with meat on their bones, and flesh-colored tones, written in words as vivid as a 64 color box of crayons. I write, he drew. Daddy, thank you."
I listened to the audiobook and thought it was incredibly relaxing to listen to. I loved this book, and I'm glad that I was able to request it via Libby - my library ended up buying the book, and I immediately was put on hold and received it.
February 1, 2017
This book has a great collection of poems. I like how much respect and love this book gives fathers. It could be a good book to relate to some students. But it could also be dangerous if a student does not have a father and is sensitive about that fact.
April 20, 2020
This collection of poems highlights the importance of the relationship between fathers, children, and grandchildren. Steptoe creates 12 unique pieces belonging to each poem. There are beautiful complementing colors as well as an array of patterns, almost looking like they can’t be done by hand. There are differentiating themes like pride, pain, elegance, and love. There is no piece of work that looks the same as the other. One of my favorite illustrations within this book is Tickle Tickle. This poem tackles masculinity and emotion and the illustrations have vibrant colors and are highly detailed. The artist's details complement each poem as each work brings forth emotion and feelings of the message of each unique poem. Due to the length of some of the poems, I would recommend this to readers at the upper elementary school level. Every poem has a different type of illustration with different artistic materials, textures, and colors. I think that they are well done but makes it hard to understand as a whole. A classroom would benefit from these types of poems when exploring themes such as family, love, and support.
November 18, 2019
In Daddy’s Arms I am tall, illustrated by Javaka Steptoe, is a collection of poems that illustrate the many qualities that make up African American fathers. Some of the poems highlight African American father’s loyalty to their wives, while others highlight their work ethic. As a Coretta Scott award winner, I expected the illustrations to make the book special, and I was not let down. No matter what the poem was about, the illustrations emphasized what the words were saying. The illustrations give a sense of realness through the different textures and materials used to create the art, that in turn makes the poems more impactful. At the end of the book, the illustrator explains that many of the illustrations are actually a variety of techniques and scraps of old materials that match the imagery described in various poems. One example is using old floor boards from Brooklyn, NY to help paint a picture of the poem “Lightning Jumpshot” better. I would recommend this book to any student interested in poetry, or anyone with a father figure.
Want to read
October 9, 2024This book by Javaka Steptoe is so creative and eye opening. This book has different poems describing the greatness and heroism of father figures within his life that allows for readers to make outside connections as well. I would use this book within my classroom because this read can give the students an eye opening experience to different forms of poetry and African American culture as well. Javaka Steptoe uses different collages within the illustrations and real everyday items to help define the messages within the poems. I would say this book is good for 4rd grade reading level and higher because the understanding of the messages could be a little harder for younger readers. I really enjoyed reading this book!
October 21, 2017
Summary: This is a collection of poems written by various people about their fathers.
Evaluation: I really love reading poetry, especially when it has to do with something that I care a lot about. Some of these poems might go over a child's head, but the majority of them are relatable to anyone who has a father figure in their lives.
Teaching Point: I would use this to show students in 4th or 5th grade that poems all sound different and contain different patterns. All of these poems are written about the exact same topic, fathers, but none of them are the same. Then, they would have the opportunity to write a poem about one of their family members.
Evaluation: I really love reading poetry, especially when it has to do with something that I care a lot about. Some of these poems might go over a child's head, but the majority of them are relatable to anyone who has a father figure in their lives.
Teaching Point: I would use this to show students in 4th or 5th grade that poems all sound different and contain different patterns. All of these poems are written about the exact same topic, fathers, but none of them are the same. Then, they would have the opportunity to write a poem about one of their family members.
February 8, 2022
I loved the poetry, especially a collection of black male fathers, but I felt many of the poems would be better marketed to older or adult readers. I don’t know many picture book readers/listeners would be able to comprehend the complexity and art that went into some of the poems. The poem that was only 3 lines, digested by an early elementary student? The racial tones, the historical aspect of slavery and ties to land, I just think would be wholly appreciated by older audiences, who could grapple with the realities it references. I want the celebration of black male fathers to be more accessible than the reading level these present to children.
November 10, 2017
This is a long-time favorite collection of poems, foreshadowing, in a sense, the current wave of anthologies (poems and stories) by diverse authors, both long-successful and newly minted. It's loaded with poems kids love to memorize, to use as mentor them or forms, and internalize regardless other own ethnicity. Just read that title: There is no larger truth to that feeling- IN DADDY'S ARMS I AM TALL. It will pair well with more recent titles, both poetry and prose- Jabari Jumps, My Daddy Rules the World, and CROWN: An Ode to the Fresh Cut.
October 25, 2019
This beautiful collection of poetry celebrates and explains what a fathers love is and how their influence impacts their kids. From the collection of many poets they explain how their African American fathers have been there for them through the thick and the thin and all that these men have done for them. This story celebrates fathers and everything they mean to their young ones. The illustrations throughout this book uses real materials and has a multidimensional affect to it. This story would be great for grades 3 and up!
January 12, 2018
This book is a bunch of poems put together and illustrated. Each poem has something to do with a father. It is a tribute to African American fathers and the impacts they have on others.
I love the idea of this book! I gave it 4 stars though because I personally enjoy a storyline rather than just random things places together.
However, I think this is a great book to read on Father’s day or since it’s African American based, maybe even during Black History Month.
I love the idea of this book! I gave it 4 stars though because I personally enjoy a storyline rather than just random things places together.
However, I think this is a great book to read on Father’s day or since it’s African American based, maybe even during Black History Month.
Read
November 26, 2023This book is for children ages 8-11 years old. Its a collection of poetry from new and established African American authors. The poetry in this book celebrates and recognizes fathers. I like this book because the poems in this book are so meaningful and they come from the heart. I would chose this book for the classroom library because fathers are an important part of families and they can be a big influence in our (boys) lives Good poetry for young black males.
April 13, 2022
This is a book full of poems. This was beautifully written. These poems celebrate fathers and their love. It also shows the importance of the relationships between fathers and their children. I like that this is a poetry book because it shares lots of different stories, and different types of writing. I love the bold colors that are used for the illustrations.
Read
April 14, 2022this book is filled with poems fromAfrican American writers that all celebrate the relationships and bonds between fathers, sons, and grandfathers. They can help discuss the honor and power of father figures that can come from any man or even a woman if there are no men in the picture and can be used in the classroom to be reading poems and talking about their meanings.
August 16, 2023
Short anthology of intergenerational poems by African American writers celebrating fathers. The perfect addition for Father's Day to diversify your bookshelves. One of my favorites is The Farmer by Carole Boston Weatherford. The accompanying artwork is beautiful & vibrant collage work. A must read & an incredible introduction to poetry for children.
April 19, 2024
Awarded the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award in 1998, the first of three awards that Javaka Steptoe has won. Wonderful illustrations made with a wide variety of media which was photographed to create the illustrations. The text is a collection of Black poets on fatherhood. Wonderful book in every way.
October 23, 2020
This is a collection of poetry of varied styles and formats, accompanied by mixed media art that works well with the poems. They are about fathers, specifically black fathers, although I think anyone can find something to relate to in these poems, even those without traditional father figures.
April 10, 2022
A lovely book about the bond of a father and child. It supports of power of family connections and identifying the importance of having a strong father figure. A great book for fathers day. A good book to read learning about influential people or heroes.
October 3, 2022
There is some really good poems in this book. One that stood out to me was “Promises” by David Anderson because it shows the love parents have towards their kids no matter what happens. Great illustrations as well.
Read
April 1, 2023It’s very rare to see a dad depicted in a children's book on his own, which makes books like this special, especially fathers of color. A lot of the time the mom is the main parent in a story, and being able to switch that around and show appreciation for valued fathers is wonderful.
February 14, 2017
Just delightful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews