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This Is Not A Small Voice: Poems by Black Poets
128 pages, Hardcover
Published September 30, 2025
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55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 6, 2025
An easy 5 stars!
Stunning. From a poetry lover and writer. From a biracial woman and mother. From a book lover and art appreciator. This was a gorgeous collection from every angle. I can’t wait to buy a physical copy of this. It’s a must for my home library.
This book is many things.
- It is thoughtfully pulled together and organized (the indexes in the back are amazing)
- It is incredibly illustrated (huge credit to the illustrator (s) this was visually stunning and I only got to see it on my tablet screen)
- It is informative as much as it is impactful (The poems themselves but also - there are few pages of historical and informational context in the back of the book so if you needed more background on a poem you can navigate there to learn more about it)
One of my favorite parts of reading anything is being able to feel the time, effort and love that is poured into a book. I could feel that on every page of this book. This book that is comprised of 100 poems from Black voices brought me some of my favorite poems and many that were new to me.
My oldest son just finished his poetry unit in second grade. When I saw this book I knew it was something I had to read with him. He loved it, and asked me when we could buy it “for real”. My son and I are both (varying degrees of) Black and have both in our own ways witnessed the disparity in highlighting positive Black contributions in public education. It’s our job to seek these things out and present them to our families so I am always so happy to have books like this to have at home.
This is a book for everyone. A beautiful and powerful book to add to your collection. An educational and joyful experience. I highly recommend.
Thank you so much for this ARC in exchange for an honest review,
Nosy Crow Inc.
Stunning. From a poetry lover and writer. From a biracial woman and mother. From a book lover and art appreciator. This was a gorgeous collection from every angle. I can’t wait to buy a physical copy of this. It’s a must for my home library.
This book is many things.
- It is thoughtfully pulled together and organized (the indexes in the back are amazing)
- It is incredibly illustrated (huge credit to the illustrator (s) this was visually stunning and I only got to see it on my tablet screen)
- It is informative as much as it is impactful (The poems themselves but also - there are few pages of historical and informational context in the back of the book so if you needed more background on a poem you can navigate there to learn more about it)
One of my favorite parts of reading anything is being able to feel the time, effort and love that is poured into a book. I could feel that on every page of this book. This book that is comprised of 100 poems from Black voices brought me some of my favorite poems and many that were new to me.
My oldest son just finished his poetry unit in second grade. When I saw this book I knew it was something I had to read with him. He loved it, and asked me when we could buy it “for real”. My son and I are both (varying degrees of) Black and have both in our own ways witnessed the disparity in highlighting positive Black contributions in public education. It’s our job to seek these things out and present them to our families so I am always so happy to have books like this to have at home.
This is a book for everyone. A beautiful and powerful book to add to your collection. An educational and joyful experience. I highly recommend.
Thank you so much for this ARC in exchange for an honest review,
Nosy Crow Inc.
December 29, 2025
This is a lovely collection of Poems by Black Poets. I'm not much of a reader of poems by I loved that there was something for everyone in this collection. The poems are from all over history and from a variety of authors so you will find one or more that speaks to you. I adored the illustrations that went alongside the poems as the enhanced the already beautiful words. This is a lovely book to read in one go or dip in and out of.
I have been reading Children's books to better recommend them when working at my library.
I have been reading Children's books to better recommend them when working at my library.
November 10, 2025
What a delight. Moving, brilliant poetry from Black poets all over the diaspora. Excerpts of some longer poems so they are readily readable to children.
October (extract)
Stay,
You are beginning to glow
I still have
some poems to feed you.
-Ijeoma Umebinyuo
The artwork on every page by Jade Orlando is sumptuous, richly hued, and irresistible.
Some of the poetry speaks specifically to Black experience; most is about life, love, family, nature, seasons, perseverance, and the other intangibles that make life worthwhile.
Pick it up!
October (extract)
Stay,
You are beginning to glow
I still have
some poems to feed you.
-Ijeoma Umebinyuo
The artwork on every page by Jade Orlando is sumptuous, richly hued, and irresistible.
Some of the poetry speaks specifically to Black experience; most is about life, love, family, nature, seasons, perseverance, and the other intangibles that make life worthwhile.
Pick it up!
December 3, 2025
Starting with a note discussing her deep relationship to Black poetry, Todd explains how poems can help people cope with life and understand it better. She also explains that the poems she has collected were written over a large period of history, and that terminology has changed. I love that some of the poems in the book were written especially for it by current writers like Derrick Barnes and Nikki Grimes.
While there are no set chapters devoted to particular themes, the poems are arranged so that they relate to each other nicely; there might be several poems about food clustered together, or poems about water. There's a wide variety of topics. In the afterword, there are explanations of some of the historical events depicted in certain verse, which is a nice touch. There is a similar treatment of poems of "Power and Protest", which is also helpful. The collection is a good mix of poems about ordinary life and these larger, more significant occurrences.
It's helpful that there is not only an index of poets, since some have several works included, but also an index of poems by title and by first line. This is a fairly long collection (120 pages), and it can be hard to find particular poems one wishes to read again.
It would have been nice to include short biographies of the poets, although there are quite a number of them. Lacking that, putting the years of publication with the poems would have provided some context.
Orlando's illustrations frame the poems very nicely, and are colorful and distinctive. The artwork was clearly closely tailored to the content, which I always enjoy.
It's hard to comment on individual poems, when there are so many. Todd mentions an anthology of poems that she read as a child, and I think she did a good job of creating a similar book for the new Millennium. There's a space for the owner's name at the beginning of the book, and I can see this becoming a much loved favorite. Other collections of poems centered on the Black experience include Alexander's Out of Wonder, Giovanni's Hip Hop Speaks to Children: 50 Inspiring Poems with a Beat , Gorman and Long's Change Sings: A Children's Anthem, and Reynold's Ain't Burned All the Bright.
While there are no set chapters devoted to particular themes, the poems are arranged so that they relate to each other nicely; there might be several poems about food clustered together, or poems about water. There's a wide variety of topics. In the afterword, there are explanations of some of the historical events depicted in certain verse, which is a nice touch. There is a similar treatment of poems of "Power and Protest", which is also helpful. The collection is a good mix of poems about ordinary life and these larger, more significant occurrences.
It's helpful that there is not only an index of poets, since some have several works included, but also an index of poems by title and by first line. This is a fairly long collection (120 pages), and it can be hard to find particular poems one wishes to read again.
It would have been nice to include short biographies of the poets, although there are quite a number of them. Lacking that, putting the years of publication with the poems would have provided some context.
Orlando's illustrations frame the poems very nicely, and are colorful and distinctive. The artwork was clearly closely tailored to the content, which I always enjoy.
It's hard to comment on individual poems, when there are so many. Todd mentions an anthology of poems that she read as a child, and I think she did a good job of creating a similar book for the new Millennium. There's a space for the owner's name at the beginning of the book, and I can see this becoming a much loved favorite. Other collections of poems centered on the Black experience include Alexander's Out of Wonder, Giovanni's Hip Hop Speaks to Children: 50 Inspiring Poems with a Beat , Gorman and Long's Change Sings: A Children's Anthem, and Reynold's Ain't Burned All the Bright.
November 20, 2025
Beginning and ending with poems by Langston Hughes, this lovely, large book of poems by Black poets is an expansive view of the Black experience. The poems are in all sorts of forms, including extracts from spirituals, jump rope rhymes and prayers. The writers come from all over the world, and some of their work is for children and some was written for adults. As you would find in many poetry anthologies, there are poems about dreams, nature, family, food, but here you also find explorations of spirituality, identity and protest. Langston Hughes, although writing in the mid 20th century, feels as relevant today as any of the newer poets like Amanda Gorman, Caleb Femi and Nikki Grimes.
Delightful artwork sets the tone for each pages’ poems. Although there isn’t a discernible order to the poems, there is plenty of wayfinding, including indexes of poets, poems and first lines. Front and back matter help readers understand the context and language choices of some of the works. I was really moved by the poem Thirteen by Caleb Femi, in which a kids talks about being stopped by the police because he fits the description of “a man.” The thirteen year old tries to convey his youth in second person narration. Sadly, many youngsters will be able to relate. The young Black people portrayed have a range of black and brown skin, including vitiligo, and some use a wheelchair. This expansive collection belongs on all school and library shelves.
Delightful artwork sets the tone for each pages’ poems. Although there isn’t a discernible order to the poems, there is plenty of wayfinding, including indexes of poets, poems and first lines. Front and back matter help readers understand the context and language choices of some of the works. I was really moved by the poem Thirteen by Caleb Femi, in which a kids talks about being stopped by the police because he fits the description of “a man.” The thirteen year old tries to convey his youth in second person narration. Sadly, many youngsters will be able to relate. The young Black people portrayed have a range of black and brown skin, including vitiligo, and some use a wheelchair. This expansive collection belongs on all school and library shelves.
April 6, 2026
This collection of 100 poems, all written by Black poets, has a little something for everyone, no matter the age or life experience. There are short verses intended for a younger audience, some written for older ones, some old, some new, some playful, some serious, all empowering, and all intended to lift up voices and spirits and maybe even renew interest in some of the classic Black poets whose words are just as meaningful now as they were decades ago. Among the poets whose work is featured are Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks, Nikki Grimes, and Nikki Giovanni. This is a collection to cherish and reach for during times of trouble or to start or conclude the day with a positive message. Such a word-filled treasure for sharing across generations.
February 11, 2026
This is an absolutely stunning volume of poems by black poets! I borrowed it from the library, but will be ordering my own copy from my favorite independent book store. . . The Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, MN. I was introduced to many new poets I had never read before, but there were also many poets that I know and love.
I also appreciated the information Traci N. Todd shares at the end:
- Culture & Connection (poems identified)
- Power & Protest (poems identified)
- Index of Poets
- Index of Poems
- Index of First Lines
Thank you, Traci N. Todd and Jade Orlando for all you have done to make this a “never to be forgotten” collection!
I also appreciated the information Traci N. Todd shares at the end:
- Culture & Connection (poems identified)
- Power & Protest (poems identified)
- Index of Poets
- Index of Poems
- Index of First Lines
Thank you, Traci N. Todd and Jade Orlando for all you have done to make this a “never to be forgotten” collection!
September 20, 2025
I am not a talented poetry reader, and I generally struggle to pull meaning from a full book of poems. Therefore, I was surprised to feel fairly comfortable reading this collection. The feelings and the stories were clear to me and I enjoyed them. I feel like poetry has the potential to convey strong feelings like hurt, anger, love and hope more clearly sometimes than a novel does. This is a very good collection for a children's library collection.
January 7, 2026
This Is Not A Small Voice: Poems By Black Poets is a phenomenal, enchanting, and whimsical read! This book is nearly impossible to adequately describe due to the depth of differences in the various poems it contains. Every emotion is touched, powerful stories told, and moving messages shared. I love the illustrations and wide variety of poems. This is simply a book you must experience for yourself.
April 17, 2025
What a stunning collection of poetry from Black poets, present and past. These poems touch beautifully on many aspects of Black culture and are accompanied by absolutely gorgeous, vibrant art that brings the words to life. This is simply a treasure for children and adults alike.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 14, 2025
thank you to netgalley and publisher nosy crow inc for selecting me to read this beautiful book of illustrated black poetry as an arc reader.
it was a delight and this is one you’re going to one to get in person because those illustrations are fantastic.
it was a delight and this is one you’re going to one to get in person because those illustrations are fantastic.
June 18, 2025
This Is Not A Small Voice: Poems by Black Poets (Hardcover)
by Traci N. Todd
i compilation of poems from various genre, times and ideals. A good resource for multicultural view point in the elementary classroom.
by Traci N. Todd
i compilation of poems from various genre, times and ideals. A good resource for multicultural view point in the elementary classroom.
December 12, 2025
These poems are not, necessarily, "children's poems" but with the combination of the superb illustrations of Jade Orlando, this collection makes for very nice reading between parent/caregiver and child. KUDOS!
June 17, 2025
This is a well-illustrated and well-edited collection of poems that I would consider gifting for any young child, especially those interested in poetry.
ebook c/o NetGalley
ebook c/o NetGalley
September 29, 2025
I want to thank Nosy Crow Inc. and NetGalley for a free eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
This was an amazing collection of mostly already published poems (although there are a few original works included) that are gathered together to celebrate the black experience, and I thought it was incredibly well done with the art being something that just elevated the poetry and made it digestible for children of all ages.
This was an amazing collection of mostly already published poems (although there are a few original works included) that are gathered together to celebrate the black experience, and I thought it was incredibly well done with the art being something that just elevated the poetry and made it digestible for children of all ages.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews