Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Pick of the Week: My People



"Who are 'my people'?" and how do you translate beautiful words into beautiful images? photographer Charles R. Smith Jr. asks in his afterword of Langston Hughes' My People. Smith notes that Hughes' poem is simple, but so eloquent. Langston Hughes compares the beauty of the night to the beauty of his people. In creating this book, photographer Smith captures the celebration of black people of differing age, shades, and sizes. It is a gorgeous book - and this year's winner of the Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award, which recognizes an African-American illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults.

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