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9th out of 61 books
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153 voters
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The Negro Speaks of Rivers
Langston Hughes has long been acknowledged as the voice, and his poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, the song, of the Harlem Renaissance. Although he was only seventeen when he composed it, Hughes already had the insight to capture in words the strength and courage of black people in America.
Artist E.B. Lewis acts as interpreter and visionary, using watercolor to pay tribut...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Expected publication:
January 8th 2013
by Hyperion Books
(first published January 6th 2009)
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Reading level: K-4
Lewis uses paint that appears to look almost like water color to blend and create pictures. There are a lot of blues used to create a water look and the people have rough, almost distored appearances. This is probably done so that a lot of the focus is put on the environments rather than the people. Hughes text is very basic as far as how it's placed on the page. The lighter pages use blank text and the darker pages use white text. The words are very simple,...more
Lewis uses paint that appears to look almost like water color to blend and create pictures. There are a lot of blues used to create a water look and the people have rough, almost distored appearances. This is probably done so that a lot of the focus is put on the environments rather than the people. Hughes text is very basic as far as how it's placed on the page. The lighter pages use blank text and the darker pages use white text. The words are very simple,...more
Hughes was a mere 18 years old when he wrote this powerful poem which evokes the strength and power of black people throughout the world. It also is a powerful tie of their story with that of water. Lewis nicely captures these two aspects of the poem in his watercolor illustrations. Taking the poem line-by-line, this book pairs each line with a watercolor painting filled with water and people. Lewis excels at creating different feeling rivers, allowing the water to be blue, but also green, b...more
This book is a visual tribute to one of Langston Hughes’ first and well-known poems, The Negro Speaks of Rivers. The lines of the poem are set to a page spread of watercolor paintings; two of the longer lines of the original prose are further divided into two separate spreads each. The words of the verse have been studied, analyzed, and brought to life in the artwork. The paintings beautifully portray the ancestry and history of African Americans with vivid details and texture. The opening a...more
A 2009 publication with illustration of a poem, written by Langtston Hughes, in 1920 when he was eighteen. The book jacket refers to it as a tribute to the "strength and courage of black people in America, and all over the world." His poem became an integral representation of the Harlem Renaissance. The poem is succinct with wonderful powerful rhythm. Two pages watercolors by artist E.B. Lewis move the reader through the poem as it unfolds one line at a time. The colors are often deep ...more
Age:
Grades 8--YA
Genre:
Poetry
Diversity
Langston Hughes poetry picture book about African Americans working on the Delta, the Nile, Euphrates, Congo rivers.
Illustrations:
Included pictures of Africans and African Americans working on the rivers of the world. Capturing colors.
Personal response:
The 2009 picture book edition of Hughes' poem helps young adults and children to relate to the poem and makes it easier to see what he ...more
Grades 8--YA
Genre:
Poetry
Diversity
Langston Hughes poetry picture book about African Americans working on the Delta, the Nile, Euphrates, Congo rivers.
Illustrations:
Included pictures of Africans and African Americans working on the rivers of the world. Capturing colors.
Personal response:
The 2009 picture book edition of Hughes' poem helps young adults and children to relate to the poem and makes it easier to see what he ...more
Published in 2009 by Hyperion Book
Interest Level: 6th-8th Grade
This book is an illustrated version of Langston Hughes' poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers". The poem is profound in and of itself, but the illustrations of E.B. lewis bring it to life and create an even deeper meaning to ever line of the poem. I greatly enjoyed the deep illustrations that were somewhat abstracted at times and how it complemented the text. It is clear that White has reflected much on the po...more
Interest Level: 6th-8th Grade
This book is an illustrated version of Langston Hughes' poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers". The poem is profound in and of itself, but the illustrations of E.B. lewis bring it to life and create an even deeper meaning to ever line of the poem. I greatly enjoyed the deep illustrations that were somewhat abstracted at times and how it complemented the text. It is clear that White has reflected much on the po...more
“The Negro Speaks of Rivers” represents the un-denying unity of the African people from across the world and symbolizes their ever-flowing strength. Langston Hughes uses an abundance of good imagery, which forms a connection between the language of the poem and its descriptions. Hughes’s use of figurative language gets his message across. The use of the word “muddy” in the poem plays on its meaning. It suggests a possible description of a river as well the emotion, outlook of African people. ...more
Emily
rated it
Shelves:
all-ages,
american,
africa,
perspectives,
poetry,
harlem-renaissance,
african-americans,
empowering,
to-buy
A lovely poem about the struggles and strength of the African American community. Their history and path they took to get to where they are now in society is amazing. This poem captures the journey they have traveled. E.B Lewis did a wonderful job illustrating Langston Hughes famous poem. I feel he truely captured the African American spirit through his water paintings.
I think this book could be used for any person, child or adult, who is struggling. It gives the sense that your...more
I think this book could be used for any person, child or adult, who is struggling. It gives the sense that your...more
Abigail
rated it
Recommends it for:
Young Poetry Lovers / E.B. Lewis Fans
Shelves:
childrens-poetry,
picture-books
"I've known rivers," begins Langston Hughes' famous poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, written when the poet was just twenty years old. A work that would go on to become the anthem, of sorts, of the Harlem Renaissance, it is here made into a picture-book, paired with the stunning artwork of E.B. Lewis, himself a long-time Hughes admirer. This isn't a very long poem, but it speaks volumes - I can never read the line "My soul has grown deep like the rivers," without feeling a sh...more
Julie Suzanne
rated it
If I had a "heritage" shelf, this would be on it. This is a Langston Hughes poem about the Negro heritage, it seems, and it is the most beautifully illustrated book I've ever encountered. I enjoyed my time with the book, but I had to use a lot of prior knowledge of the history of African Americans (I'm sure I'll have to edit that label soon) to understand the metaphors and symbols. If this were my heritage, I'd proudly read this with my child regularly.
E.B. Lewis powerfully illustrates the famous poem with a variety of large figures and vast watercolor landscapes. The illustrations are truly magnificent and the movement very slow - like an old river, except where they include children.Really this is a special and beautiful book, a celebration of a poem which truly adds something to its reading.
Catherine Woodman
added it
This is a book of illustrations of a Langston Hughes poem--which is beautiful and evokes both ancient symbols and American ones. Each stanza has a different illustration associated with it, which is the heart of the book. I did not realize this poem is the work of a 17 year old poet, but it is lovely, the whole body of work. A great picture book.
E.B. Lewis has done a magnificent job illustrating one of my favorite poems. When I taught junior high and high school English, students loved this poem with its rhythms of rivers and of life. The prayful illustration of my favorite line in the poem—“my soul has grown deep like the rivers” is deeply moving. A splendid book!
This is a beautiful interpretation of the poem. I love the two-page illustrations of water scenes (the one that is on the cover, and the one of the single boy in a boat at dusk in particular).
The close-up of the old woman was a bit disturbing, maybe just because her face was interrupted by the gutter.
The close-up of the old woman was a bit disturbing, maybe just because her face was interrupted by the gutter.
Read as a short list of Caldecott contenders. The watercolor paintings drive this book, so I think it has a good chance. The simple text is a short poem by Langston Hughes. My favorite illustration is of three young boys playing in a river and is paired with the line "I bathed in the Euphrates when dawns were young."
Beautiful book that supports and accompanies Hughes's equally beautiful poem. E.B. Lewis has such a great style; I used to see his name and mistakenly think E.B. White's books were being rereleased and get really excited, but Lewis has certainly set himself apart.
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Q_Donna
rated it
Langston Hughes wrote this poem at the age of 18. E.B. Lewis took this simple poem of 12 lines and created wonderful illustrations. I have often found it difficult to understand some of Mr. Hughes poetry but this one, along with the illustrations are plain. The Negro Speaks of Rivers pays homage to early African American settlers who longed for freedom.
"I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins." This descriptive line...more
"I've known rivers ancient as the world and older than the flow of human blood in human veins." This descriptive line...more
Jasmine Roberson
added it
poetry by langston hughs that has been turned into a book for children. illistrated by E.B. Lewis this is a great read and i even had to think a few times about what the words were saying. h=great for liturate that reads
Extremely well executed. It's not my favorite artistic style, but the overall presentation is undeniably powerful. The images alternate between gritty/concrete and swirly/lofty. Good use of light.
Award winner, much?
Award winner, much?
Jason Penckofer
rated it
Another well illustrated Langston Hughes poem (see My People), this one is done in watercolors. I found the flow of this poem easier to grasp. I think having more of a complete thought per page helped.
Really powerful combination of text and illustration. The images are just visually stunning, bringing to life the poem. I suggested it as a Caldecot hopeful, but it didn't make it to our mock election.
Julia
rated it
So gorgeous and powerful. This poem has never failed to evoke strong emotion from me. With Lewis's stunning watercolor paintings of African Americans and water, the combined effect is amazing.
Well, I was biased right from the beginning with this one, because Langston Hughes' poem "The Negro Speaks of Rivers" is one of my favorites. E.B. Lewis does a beautiful job of illustrating it. My favorite picture is toward the beginning-- a gorgeous two-page spread of a body of water, low hills off in the distance, sun shining on the water, partly obscured by clouds, and a lone boy poling a boat. I'd love to have that hanging on my living room wall! The only flaw in the book was a...more
Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)
rated it
Langston Hughes' poem THE NEGRO SPEAKS OF RIVERS is beautifully illustrated by the paintings of E.B. Lewis. The two together are outstanding. Could be used on several levels.
I was deeply moved by this title. I think elementary school children(especially the older ones)as well as middle and high school students will gain such insight from reading this title.
E.B. Lewis's gorgeous paintings add extra weight to Hughes's poem in this picture book. I love the light over the water on each page and the variety of settings he illustrates.
The illustrations really bring the words of Langston Hughes to life. This would be a great read aloud because many students would be able to visualize these images in their minds.(Coretta Scott King Award)
Beautiful illustrations. The original illustrations are most stunning. Go see an exhibit if you have a chance. Recently they were in Myrtle Beach.
I love the water color illustrations that have been set to Hughes' famous poem. The book (and poem) are beautiful! C. 2009, genre-poetry
Booklist Starred Review
While the poem by Langston Hughes is moving alone, with these watercolor illustrations it is truly breathtaking. Children can easily be absorbed by the moving, intense illustrations that perfectly fit with the lyrical, humble but majestic tone of the poem.
This book would be an asset to a storytime during Black History Month. It would also be an inspiration for a watercolor project, during Black History Month or any other time.
While the poem by Langston Hughes is moving alone, with these watercolor illustrations it is truly breathtaking. Children can easily be absorbed by the moving, intense illustrations that perfectly fit with the lyrical, humble but majestic tone of the poem.
This book would be an asset to a storytime during Black History Month. It would also be an inspiration for a watercolor project, during Black History Month or any other time.
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Langston Hughes was an American poet, novelist, playwright, short story writer, and columnist. Hughes is known for his work during the Harlem Renaissance.
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