Sidewalk Chalk

Publishers Weekly

Carol Boston Weatherford observes the urban scene through the eyes of a child in Sidewalk Chalk: Poems of the City, illus. by Dimitrea Tokunbo, a collection of 20 original works. On the street where "dreams take root/ in concrete" readers watch "As little girls jump double Dutch,/ [and] beaded braids swirl and click." Tokunbo's realistic illustrations in thick colorful outlines depict all the landmarks that define a neighborhood, from the Laundromat to the barbershop to the stained glass windows of the church and its gospel choirs on Sunday. (Aug.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

From The Critics

City living is captured in all its excitement and diversity in twenty rhythmic poems. The laundromat, beautyshop, city market, and barber shop are some of the places featured. Colorful pictures display a multicultural populated city. 2001, Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press, $15.95. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: C. Henebry SOURCE: Parent Council, September 2001 (Vol. 9, No. 1)

Children's Literature

Twenty poems that capture the sights and sounds of modern American city life flow across this 32-page format picture book. Whether a visit to the laundromat, lunch at Moe's greasy spoon, an appointment at the beauty shop, or following the ice cream truck, ordinary events are celebrated. All the senses are aroused, from the smells of the city market to the sounds of the faithful to the gentle touch of caring family members. The language is rhythmic like a city street. The illustrations depict the city in all its colors—both bright and muted but always compelling and richly textured. They show what is good about an urban community in all its diversity. As the final poem states "where I live there are no trees to climb," but "dreams take root in concrete" and "my branches lift the sky." The book will serve to entice young city dwellers to celebrate poetry as well as themselves. 2001, Wordsong/Boyds Mills Press, $15.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer:Valerie O. Patterson

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-The joys of living in a city from a child's point of view are jubilantly expressed in this very readable collection. The opening poem, "On the Corner," captures the activity of the people in the neighborhood-the shoeshine man who "pops a cloth," "little girls jump double Dutch," "Brothers with time on their hands/croon in three-part harmony," boys shoot hoops. It also suggests the caring bond that these neighbors share as "a lady/toting a shopping bag tells me,/`Be careful crossing the street, honey.'" Weatherford's words paint vibrant pictures of thriving businesses: Moe's restaurant, where the food is "Crispy, crunchy, golden brown"; Lou's Barbershop, where "I feel as if I'm a prince on a throne"; and the lively city market where the scent of cookies calls "in a language known to every child/above the buzz of crowded aisles." There are also poems about friendship and family that children, no matter where they live, can identify with: an elderly aunt's picture-covered mantel, parents dancing and having fun with their children, and good buddies cooling off in the city pool and sharing ice cream. Every selection is set into one of Tokunbo's remarkable textured watercolor paintings that reflect the diversity and richness of a big-city neighborhood. The animated faces of children fully engaged in the wide variety of activities bring the poetry to life. This partnership of word and illustration works well and belongs in most collections.-Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WI Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.