Anielka Lopez EDRL 407

 Nikki Giovanni was born June 7, 1943 as Yolande Cornelia Giovanni, Jr.  Nikki is a world- renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist, and educator.  The Randolph Caldecott Medal

 René Paul Chambellan designed the Caldecott Medal in  Awarded to the most distinguished American Picture Book for Children published in the United States.  Award came about because people felt that artist and authors creating picture books for children are also deserving of honor  The Section for Library Work with Children of ALA and the ALA Executive Board were enthusiastic and accepting of this award.

 The book was illustrated by Bryan Collier.  Rosa was about a civil rights icon, Rosa Parks, and how even though she was not expecting what would happen she was emotionally prepared for it.  The illustrations in this book are incredibly beautiful.  The book demonstrated how non-violent actions can have strong effects and can bring people together.

 Giovanni has written many poetry books and children’s books.  The Sun Is So Quiet  Knoxville, Tennessee  and The Genie in the Jar are only some examples.  Some of her poetry books include: Black Talk, Black Feeling (1968), The Women and the Men (1975), and Bicycles: Love Poems (2009).  Nikki likes to write books that deal with African American culture.

 Audience of the book can be for everyone.  The book is a children’s picture book, but has a profound meaning and shows that non-violent actions can go far and make a difference.  The level of the book is easy and medium length.  Grade level: 3 rd – 5 th.  I believe children from 3 rd grade can read with assistance.

 The genre of the book is non- fiction and is also young readers literature.  I thought I would find this book in the children’s book section of the library, but I actually found it in the non- fiction section next to other Rosa Park books.  This books had many fact I didn’t know about that were interesting to learn.  Rosa by Nikki Giovanni was not only well written but has beautiful illustrations throughout the whole book.  Though it didn’t win gold it was awarded as an Honor book.  The illustrations are what really caught my attention throughout the reading.

 Born June 7 th 1943 in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Had a strong sense of family  Her parents had doubts when enrolling her to a white high school with all the segregation going on at the time.  Her grandparents had a great influence on her  They taught her “the importance of helping others and of fighting injustice.  At 20, Nikki was working at Walgreens taking care of her nephew, going to school, and volunteering.

 I believe that the motivation of this author and poet has came from her surroundings.  She wrote a book that she titled Knoxville, Tennessee, her hometown.  Her family especially her grandparents had a great deal to do with her motivation in being an activist in civil rights.  Nikki Giovanni is prideful of being an African American and portrays that in her writing such as Rosa and her poetry book Black Feeling, Black Talk/Black Judgement (1970)

 Giovanni has worked along side illustrators when publishing her books. Illustrators like: Bryan Collier and Ashley Bryan.  Can giovanni.com  I feel that Nikki Giovanni writes to inspire, inform, and educate.  Taking care of her nephew and volunteering with children and their parents has influenced her in writing to a broader audience. Her family has been apart of her life and influencing her throughout the years.

 Giovanni, Nikki. (2006). Rosa. Illus. Bryan Collier. Henry Holt and Company.    Google Images  giovanni  