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Ashley Bryan's ABC of African American Poetry

Illustrated by Ashley Bryan

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About The Book

From Coretta Scott King Award–winning creator Ashley Bryan comes a luminously illustrated primer on celebrated African American poets, from A to Z.

“And God stepped out on space,
And he looked around and said:
I’m lonely—I’ll make me a world.”

—James Weldon Johnson

This collection brings together inspiring excerpts of poems by celebrated African American poets and is sure to delight readers of all ages.

About The Author

Photo Credit:

Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over MeSail AwayBeautiful BlackbirdBeat the Story-Drum, Pum PumLet It ShineAshley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.

About The Illustrator

Photo Credit:

Ashley Bryan (1923–2022) grew up to the sound of his mother singing from morning to night, and he shared the joy of song with children. A beloved illustrator, he was named a Newbery Honoree for his picture book, Freedom Over Me. He also received the Coretta Scott King—Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, was a May Hill Arbuthnot lecturer, a Coretta Scott King Award winner, and the recipient of countless other awards and recognitions. His books include Freedom Over MeSail AwayBeautiful BlackbirdBeat the Story-Drum, Pum PumLet It ShineAshley Bryan’s Book of Puppets; and What a Wonderful World. He lived in Islesford, one of the Cranberry Isles off the coast of Maine.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (January 1, 2001)
  • Length: 32 pages
  • ISBN13: 9780689840456
  • Grades: P - 3
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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Awards and Honors

  • CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
  • ALA Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Ashley Bryan