Life Doesn't Frighten Me

I read this book 2 my inner city 3rd graders & it really helps them deal with struggles & write their own poems.

Great 4 reading out loud 2 a child, discussing in a class, or 4 use in a children's poetry therapy group 2 focus on bravery. The illustrations are a great addition 2 the poem.

You have two great contemporary artists combined in this book.....I plan 2 buy it again as I gave it 2 a friend who is a new grandmother.

This is a great book! This book is a good starting point 4 conversation with children in helping them talk about what might frighten them. The artists (both Maya Angelou & Jean-Michel Basquiat) both have created a unique book 4 all ages.

The pictures are abstract looking & dark in tone. The book makes reference to; ghosts, bad men fighting in the dark, & cougars in the park. I'm not sure my 3 or 5 year old children had thought up these bad things on their own yet. While reading them the book I felt uneasy about the dark pictures & scary references 2 things they may not have even thought of before. I'm still undecided if it will be helpful in convincing them that they don't need 2 be afraid of life or if it will convince them that life is pretty scary & they ought 2 be afraid! There is one reference 2 'having a lucky charm up her sleeve' that protects her from the bad stuff & also allows her 2 walk on the ocean floor without having 2 come up 2 breathe. Those are both useless defenses in the real world so the book doesn't offer any real reasons 2 not be scared of life.

Visionary full-color artwork accompanies a stirring poem--by the famed inaugural poet & author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings--that celebrates courage, strength, & fearlessness. All ages.