Hip Hop Speaks to Children

Hip Hop Speaks to Children brings together poetry and rap from over 50 performers and writers into a single collection with an accompanying CD. The book features works by artists like Langston Hughes, Queen Latifah, Kanye West, and Nikki Giovanni herself. The collection spans multiple decades of hip hop and poetry, showcasing various styles and voices that helped shape both art forms. Each piece comes with vibrant illustrations and background information about the creators. The selections explore themes of identity, family, creativity, and empowerment through rhythmic language accessible to young readers. The included CD allows children to hear many of the works performed aloud, creating connections between written and oral traditions. This anthology demonstrates how poetry and hip hop share deep roots in storytelling, wordplay, and the power of voice to build community and inspire change. The collection serves as a bridge between generations and genres of artistic expression.

Parents and educators praise this book-and-CD combination for introducing children to poetry and hip-hop culture through accessible verses and diverse voices. Multiple teachers report success using it in elementary classrooms. Readers highlight: - The included CD with poets performing their works - Mix of classic poetry and contemporary hip-hop - Strong representation of Black artists and culture - Engaging illustrations that appeal to kids - Works well for reading aloud Common criticisms: - Some poems feel disconnected from hip-hop - A few readers found the layout cluttered - CD quality varies between tracks Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (447 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (279 ratings) One teacher wrote: "My third graders ask to hear the CD daily. They've memorized several poems and created their own rhythm-based versions." A parent noted: "The book bridges generations - my kids connect with current artists while learning about poetry pioneers."

Poetry Speaks to Children by Elise Paschen This collection pairs written poems with an audio CD of poets reading their work, creating a multimedia poetry experience similar to Giovanni's approach with hip-hop.

Jazz by Walter Dean Myers The poems and paintings combine to tell stories of jazz music through rhythm and movement, connecting music and poetry like Giovanni does with hip-hop.

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes The rhythmic text captures African American culture and pride through the lens of a barbershop visit, celebrating identity through poetic language.

H.O.R.S.E.: A Game of Basketball and Imagination by Christopher Myers The back-and-forth verbal play between two basketball players mirrors the call-and-response style found in hip-hop culture and poetry.

Bronzeville Boys and Girls by Gwendolyn Brooks These poems present snapshots of urban African American childhood through strong rhythms and authentic voices.

🎵 Nikki Giovanni included a CD with the book featuring both her own performances and recordings of famous poets and musicians, allowing children to hear the rhythm and musicality of spoken word poetry. 📚 The book contains 51 poems spanning multiple generations, connecting traditional poetry with contemporary hip-hop and celebrating the oral tradition of African American culture. 🏆 Hip Hop Speaks to Children was named one of the 2009 Odyssey Award Honor Audiobooks by the American Library Association for its exceptional audio production. 🎤 The collection features works from diverse voices including Langston Hughes, Queen Latifah, Gwendolyn Brooks, and A Tribe Called Quest, bridging different eras of Black artistic expression. 💫 Author Nikki Giovanni is known as the "Princess of Black Poetry" and has received numerous honors, including being the first recipient of the Rosa L. Parks Woman of Courage Award.