Hopkins Collection

Bibliography

Hopkins, Lee Bennett. 2010.  AMAZING FACES. Ill. by Chris Soentpiet. New York: Lee & Low Books. ISBN 9781600603341

Summary

Amazing Faces is an anthology of 16 poems selected by Lee Hopkins Bennett to emphasize the importance of diversity. The poems represent a variety of people, mostly children, from many cultures, socioeconomic statuses, and communities. The subject’s age of each poem range from infant to the elderly. The focus of the book is to recognize our individuality, cultural heritage, and uniqueness.

Quality and Appeal

Lee Bennett Hopkins has complied a collection of poems that will evoke a wide range of emotions from the reader. Mr. Hopkins has done an exceptional job of selecting poems that represent our diverse cultures; yet binds us together through the common thread of emotions. A quality that stands out and supports the theme of diversity is the choice of poets. Each poet brings his or her own style of writing either through free verse or rhyme, yet the common theme of all the poems is how each person has their own identity. Each poem, through word choice and illustrations, enhance the emotional impact through tone and mood that effectively draws the reader to have a personal connection to a select poem. In the free verse poem, "Amazing Face" by Rebecca Kai Dotlich, the writer is overcome with love and hope of what the future holds for her child. The words “You will” set the tone and mood for endless opportunities and experiences this young life will encounter.

Figurative language is exhibited through personification in the poem, "My Chinatown, "as a small child personifies his mother’s sewing machine by saying “the needle on her sewing machine gobbles up fabric” and “the soft chatter of the hungry needle.” The abstract poem, "Miss Stone," plays on the emotions of a small child, new to school, who is feeling left out at recess. Her teacher, Miss Stone saves the day with her comment, “Will you keep me company? I’m feeling all alone.” This act of inclusion reminds the reader that one deed of kindness can turn around a person’s day. This poem also offers an example of a simile with the word, “My wishes gathered like ants.” An added compliment to the poem is the illustration, which puts the teacher and new student at the forefront, yet still depicts the other children laughing, smiling, and playing together. The child’s final comments of “You made my unhappy thoughts scamper away” compliment the illustration and also create a strong visual image.

The quality of the poems is exceptional. Mr. Hopkins has compiled a book of poems from a list of well respected poets including Joseph Bruchac, Nikki Grimes, Langston Hughes, Pat Mora, and Janet Wong to name a few. Although these poets have each brought their own style of writing to Amazing Faces, the content focuses on emotions that each of us experience on a daily basis. The illustrations, the work of Chris Soentpiet, are an integral part of why this book is so relatable. Each illustration, created in watercolors, is extraordinarily realistic and compliments the message of each poem. Having a diverse population represented throughout the book enhances and broadens the audience. This book would work well with elementary children due to the inclusion of many children represented throughout the book, inclusion of many cultures, and subject matter that is not only understood, but also provides teachable moments. The repetition and rhyme will engage children and command their attention.

Spotlight Poem

I’m The One

I’m the one

You turn your

Back on,

Never asking me

To play.

I’m the one

You heard crying

Walking home

From school

Today.

You’re the one

Who could erase

Sadness

Traced

Upon my face.

If only one day

You could see,

What fun

You’d have

Being

Friends

With

Me.

Jude Mandell

I selected this poem because it is the only poem that does not end on a happy note. The poem is about a boy who is bullied and ostracized at school. The expression of sadness on the young boy’s face tugged at my heart. The abstract theme is powerful not only in the writer’s use of language such as the solitary lines of  “Sadness, Traced, Upon my face”, but is also reflective of the evident tone of sadness. The illustration shows the child looking sadly over his shoulder at a group of children oblivious to his presence. Or are they? I was particularly drawn to the words in the poem that say, “If only one day You could see What fun You’d have Being Friends With Me.” These words show the child’s desire to have friends and be a friend. "I’m The One" is an excellent resource to show children the effects exclusion. If any child experiences the effects of isolation, this poem can show that others also share those same feelings. This poem is just one of sixteen that can tie students to real world experiences and the emotions that go along with events. 

Connections

1. Use the poem, "I’m The One," as a read loud to introduce topics such as friendship and bullying.

2. Invite children to share moments when they have felt like the little boy from the poem or have seen others treated in the same manner. Discuss how children can make others feel welcome at school or in their neighborhood.