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This Is Not a Small Voice: Poems by Black Poets
CCBC Review:
This handsome treasury opens with a letter from Traci Todd offering examples of the ways in which poetry shaped her life when she was a child and the inspiration behind this collection. She discusses the broad inclusion of Black poets, using identity terminology by time, culture, and mood. There are many types of poems, from haiku to hip hop, and from inspirational to intentional. Colorful illustrations by Jade Orlando depict realistic children as well as imaginative scenes and decorations. On a two-page spread, five children of different sizes, abilities, hairstyles, and skin tones are shown with confident expressions. On the left, Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan’s poem, “This Body II” declares, “My body is / perfect and / imperfect and / Black and / girl and / …my body is my masterpiece and / my body is mine.” On the right, an extract from “Morning Liturgy” by Ijeoma Umebinyuo affirms: “There is so much beauty within / beauty attached to my name / …beauty attached to my flaws / look at me, brewing stars in my skin.” A discussion about the African diaspora and poems about power and protests are included in the back. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Jade Orlando
CCBC Age Recommendation: 7-12
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format:
Poetry
Subjects:
Activism and Resistance
African Americans
African Peoples
Afro-British
Afro-Latine People
Self-Esteem and Self-Worth
Diversity subject:
Black/African
On CCBC Booklist:
Black Experiences: Affirmation and Resilience, Activism and Resistance in 45 Books for PreK-Grade 12
Publisher:
Nosy Crow
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 127
ISBN: 9798887772042
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 811 Todd