Smith, Charles R, Jr

I Am the World Smith, Charles R, Jr

Brief Description: Illustrations and rhyming text celebrate the diversity of cultures, languages, countries, and people of the world. Marc Notes: Illustrations and rhyming text celebrate the diversity of cultures, languages, countries, and people of the world.; Ages 4-8. Publisher Marketing: From the Coretta Scott King Award-winning photographer of "My People," an illuminating pairing of poetry and portraits depicts the splendor of our global community. "I am the world." "I am strong.""I am the spirit ""of generations gone." The children of our world come in many colors, shapes, and sizes. Celebrate the vibrancy, the fibers, and the ingredients that define the unique nature of cultural heritages across the globe and the universal truths that unite each and every one of us in this rich, elegant verse paired with striking, diverse images from award-winning poet and photographer, Charles. R. Smith, Jr. Review Citations:

School Library Journal 06/01/2013 pg. 108 (EAN 9781442423022, Hardcover)

Kirkus Reviews 06/01/2013 (EAN 9781442423022, Hardcover)

Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 10/01/2013 pg. 115 (EAN 9781442423022, Hardcover)

Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2014 pg. 45 (EAN 9781442423022, Hardcover)

Contributor Bio:  Smith, Charles R, Jr Charles R. Smith Jr. is the author of HOOP QUEENS and its companion, HOOP KINGS, as well as TWELVE ROUNDS TO GLORY: THE STORY OF MUHAMMAD ALI, illustrated by Bryan Collier. He also wrote and illustrated for the American Library Association Notable Book RIMSHOTS: BASKETBALL PIX, ROLLS, AND RHYTHMS, among other titles. CHAMELEON is his first novel for young adults. He lives in Poughkeepsie, New York. Contributor Bio:  Smith, Charles R, Jr. Charles R. Smith Jr. says that while growing up in California, he read anything he could get his hands on. "Reading books filled with stories and poems inspired me to write my own," he says. "The more I read, the more I wrote. And if I wasn't reading a book, I was playing a sport: I played everything, particularly basketball, and spent many afternoons on the court, perfecting my jump shot." While working on his high school yearbook as a writer, Charles R. Smith Jr. was introduced to photography and immediately decided to make a career out of it. He graduated from photography school and headed to New York to pursue his dream. "I continued with my writing, and, with a heavy influence of rap music, began writing more poetry instead of stories," he says. "Now, I have combined my photographic skills with my love of reading, writing, and sports to create an exciting career for myself!" Among the books the poet-photographer has written and illustrated is RIMSHOTS: BASKETBALL PIX, ROLLS, AND RHYTHMS, which was selected as an American Library Association Notable Children's Book.