An Earth Song

by Langston Hughes, Tequitia Andrews (Illustrator)

Discover the power and joy of poetry in the picture book An Earth Song , a simple, modern introduction to Langston Hughes, featuring an ode to spring and long-awaited new beginnings, and heartwarming full-color art by Tequitia Andrews.

In this illustrated adaptation of a beloved Langston Hughes poem, a child delights as the world around him awakens from winter and comes to life with the long-awaited arrival of spring and new beginnings of all kinds.

Includes a biography and photograph of Langston Hughes, one of the most prolific leaders of the Harlem Renaissance, and information about the poem An Earth Song

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens, African American

24 pages, Hardcover

Published April 18, 2023

About the author

Through poetry, prose, and drama, American writer James Langston Hughes made important contributions to the Harlem renaissance; his best-known works include Weary Blues (1926) and The Ways of White Folks (1934).

People best know this social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist James Mercer Langston Hughes, one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form jazz poetry, for his famous written work about the period, when "Harlem was in vogue."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langsto...

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea of sharing poetry from the greats with young children. This picture book format is very accessible and Langston Hughes' "An Earth Song" is a vibrant and joyful choice to share with children. When I finished the book, I realized that the poem is printed at the back, and I think that, if I were to read more books in this series with my children, I would first read the poem in its entirety and then read the book as a picture book so that they could let the words weave images through their own imagination without being influenced by the illustrator's interpretation. I do like the illustrations for this book well enough, though.

Back matter includes a very brief bio on Hughes and his photograph, which I think is a nice touch, and two resources for further study. Back matter also enjoins you to try writing some poetry, too:, and I especially like that: "Poetry is all around you -- growing out of the crack of a sidewalk, warming your skin on an early spring day, or simmering on the stove -- and playing with words and expressing what you see and feel are other ways to explore the world." Then, as the brief bio mentioned that Hughes wrote poetry about the American dream, the prompt says, "What makes your heart sing? Write a poem about what you hope for."

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the ent

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tequitia Andrews's enticing illustrations focus on the young boy on the cover, wishing and waiting for his "earth song", which Hughes writes, "It's a spring song." What more means spring than blowing dandelion seeds while making a wish? Pages at the end show the poem in its entirety, and one that tells a bit about Langston Hughes. The poem was first published in 1925.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful but the cadence of the poem felt lost to me when broken up by pages. I love that the poem is included in its entirety on the last page along with info about Langston Hughes.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful picture book of An Earth Song, a poem by Langston Hughes. The art is simple and perfect for the poem. This can be read as a welcoming to Spring or dig deeper for the meaning of freedom and justice. Easily used by any grade.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This text of this picture book is a poem entitled “An Earth Song” written by the poet Langston Huges. The poem is about human beings wishing for spring to arrive.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preschool and school-age

[bibliophagy · Rating 4 out of 5]

cuuute illustrations. easy short poem.

[Cheryl]

Note that "petite poems" is a 'series....

[Audrey | WellReadandUndead(ish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the idea of illustrating famous poems so young children can be introduced to them at an earlier age in an interesting way.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book with nice illustrations. Langston Hughes is one of my favorite poets.