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Tai Chi Morning: Snapshots of China
Tai Chi Morning is simply, as the title implies, snapshots of China seen through the lens of a poet’s eye. It is a collection of moments, a personal record of an outsider’s first experience of China." (From the introduction)
In 1988, poet Nikki Grimes spent three weeks along the east coast of China. Like any curious tourist, she observed and touched, sniffed and tasted. But unlike most, she poured those sensations into poetry. Distilling the delight and confusion of an African American traveler thousands of miles from home, her poems take a thoughtful, sometimes playful, look at an outsider’s sense of self.
As it happened, around the same time, artist Ed Young was visiting his native China--as always, writing and sketching his impressions in a personal journal. Like Nikki, Ed witnessed signs of the old China alongside the new. Like the poet, the artist caught hold of them and set them down on paper.
Through Nikki’s wry but penetrating verse and Ed’s deft, revealing drawings, in Tai Chi Morning the journeys of a visiting American poet and an artist returning home unwind side by side in counterpoint.
In 1988, poet Nikki Grimes spent three weeks along the east coast of China. Like any curious tourist, she observed and touched, sniffed and tasted. But unlike most, she poured those sensations into poetry. Distilling the delight and confusion of an African American traveler thousands of miles from home, her poems take a thoughtful, sometimes playful, look at an outsider’s sense of self.
As it happened, around the same time, artist Ed Young was visiting his native China--as always, writing and sketching his impressions in a personal journal. Like Nikki, Ed witnessed signs of the old China alongside the new. Like the poet, the artist caught hold of them and set them down on paper.
Through Nikki’s wry but penetrating verse and Ed’s deft, revealing drawings, in Tai Chi Morning the journeys of a visiting American poet and an artist returning home unwind side by side in counterpoint.
64 pages, Hardcover
First published January 14, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 2, 2013
There is something pretty wonderful about a well written travelogue. In this case, poet Nikki Grimes uses poetry to reflect on her trip to China as parts of an arts advocacy group.
Each poem is introduced with a paragraph of journal-like prose that gives readers a background for the essence of the poem. Poetry is simple yet powerful and focuses on the small details which makes each offering so authentic.
Sketches perfectly complement the subjects and tone of the poetry. Grades 6-8.
Each poem is introduced with a paragraph of journal-like prose that gives readers a background for the essence of the poem. Poetry is simple yet powerful and focuses on the small details which makes each offering so authentic.
Sketches perfectly complement the subjects and tone of the poetry. Grades 6-8.
October 1, 2012
Tai Chi Morning- Snapshots of China by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Ed Young – Gorgeous reflection on a journey through China interconnected journeys between the poet and illustrated were impressive. I didn’t realize how much I have missed poetry lately. Happy to have time to enjoy golden words.
October 27, 2007
Poems about the author's trip to China.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews