BIBLIOGRAPHY

Perdomo, Willie. 2002. Visiting Langston. Ill. by Bryan Collier. New York: Henry Holt & Company, LLC. ISBN 0805067442

PLOT SUMMARY

A little girl puts on her favorite pink blouse and prepares for a visit to an icon—or at least a tribute to an icon. When the main character of this book announces her plans for the day, the excitement bursts through. To her, this is a field trip like no other. The character’s father is taking her to visit the home of author and poet, Langston Hughes. She is excited about the visit because she wants to be a poet, just like Hughes. The book is written from the point of view of the girl, and is written in verse form. The verse not only describes Hughes’ life and triumphs, but also gives insight into his creativity and a view of his home that includes old-fashioned typewriters and photographs of Langston Hughes himself. From a self-confessed “Harlem girl” who is, according to her father “like Langston’s genius child” comes a celebration of a creative genius whose works describe the life of an African American during a difficult time in American history. The illustrations combine watercolors and collage and complement the text in a way that draws readers’ eyes to the bits and pieces that combine to make up Hughes’ life. From the bright, striped pink blouse worn by the character for her trip to the typewriters with small samples of Hughes’ work showing, Collier creates interesting and detailed illustrations make the book a great one, not only for budding writers like the main character, but also for children who love interesting pictures, or dream of someday becoming an artist themselves.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)

Written in verse form, the African American child who cannot wait to visit the home of her idol describes both her own life in Harlem and the life of Langston Hughes. The author’s note in the front of the book gives a brief biography of Hughes’ life and lets readers know that he only wrote when he was sad. Perdomo believes that what made Hughes sad “was how people, especially people of color, were treated”. The illustrations not only give tribute to the life of Langston Hughes, but also celebrate the African American culture. The two-page spread illustrating Hughes’ poetry that was “like jazz” depicts Hughes working at a typewriter with an inset of a jazz band that is done with muted colors in such a way that readers can almost hear the beat of the bass and hear the rhythm of the piano. The main character stands by the same window that Hughes sat by to write, and imagines the Africa that Hughes could describe. Like the author who makes her “dreams run wild”, the character celebrates the life and times of an American legend who inspires her not only to let her dreams run wild, but to make them come true.

REVIEW EXCERPTS

School Library Journal. A rhythmic poem in praise of Langston Hughes and the writer’s craft. The poem is presented by a young girl who is off to visit Hughes’s Harlem home with her father. Readers quickly learn that, like Hughes, the girl is a writer and resident of Harlem. Powerful in its simplicity, the text explores the child’s special connection to the famous man.

Kirkus Reviews. A little girl is going with her daddy to visit the home of Langston Hughes. She too is a poet who writes about the loves of her life-her mommy and daddy, hip-hop, hopscotch, and double-dutch, but decidedly not kissing games. The author’s own admiration for Hughes’s artistry and accomplishments is clearly felt in the voice of this glorious child. Langston’s spirit is a gentle presence throughout the description of his East 127th Street home and his method of composing his poetry sitting by the window.

CONNECTIONS

Literature Response for readers: Throughout the book, the little girl compares herself to Langston Hughes. Readers could complete a Venn diagram comparing themselves with Langston Hughes, or another author that they feel a bond with.

Look for these other books about Langston Hughes:

Jones, Veda Boyd. Jazz age poet: a story about Langston Hughes. ISBN 9781575057576

Gibson, Karen. Langston Hughes. ISBN 9781584154310

Medina, Tony. Love to Langston. ISBN 9781584302834

Roessel, David. Poetry for young people: Langston Hughes. ISBN 9781402718458

Cooper, Floyd. Coming home: from the life of Langston Hughes. ISBN 9780698116122