Module 2: Poetry Break NCTE Award Poet Nikki Grimes

Grimes, Nikki. 2001. A Pocketful of Poems. Illus Javaka Steptoe. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 978-0395938683.





Nikki Grimes is the 2006 recipient of the NCTE (National Council of Teachers of English) Award for excellence in poetry for children. Her talent as a poet, as well as her ability to reach out to children through poetry is evident in her book entitled A Pocketful of Poems. Each topic in this anthology is conveyed in a free verse poem and then a haiku, as shown below in Grimes' Hot:


HOT
by Nikki Grimes

(Free verse)

HOT is a thirsty word that
wakes me from a deep sleep.
I leave my dreams and stumble to the kitchen.
I place the word in the sink, then
turn the cold water on full-blast.

(Haiku)

Hot days send me to
the water fountain where my
face goes for a swim.

Grimes' expertly creates a vivid image of what the word 'hot' looks (and feels) like. The accompanying art work by Javaka Steptoe, consisting of colorful collages, adds texture and depth to the Grimes' poems.

Extension

Have children create collages and when they are finished, encourage them to write a poem about their collage. For those children in need of a bigger challenge, encourage them to write several poems, using different formats/techniques (haiku, free verse, limerick etc.) for each. Give the children the opportunity to share their collages and poems with their classmates, either verbally or posted on a 'poetry wall'.