I See the Rhythm

By Toyomi Igus, Michele Wood
Paperback: $11.95

i see the rhythmis an inspiring celebration of African American music and the far-reaching impact it has had on the world.

Description

From Michele Wood and Toyomi Ingus, the award-winning artist and author of Going Back Home, comes their second book, i see the rhythm, a uniquely visual and poetic introduction to the history of African American music.

Beginning with the roots of black music in Africa and continuing on to contemporary hip hop, i see the rhythm takes us on a musical journey through time. We are invited to feel the rhythm of work songs on a southern plantation, to see the rhythm of jazz from a balcony in New Orleans, to dance to the rhythm of swing at the Savoy in Harlem, and to rejoice to the rhythm of gospel from a church pew on a Sunday morning.

Each stunning spread-including art, poetic text, a description of the music style, and a time line of selected historical events-encompasses the spirit of the times and the strength of the communities where the music was born. Igus’s lyrical text, matched with Wood’s daring vision, captures the feel of each style of music and pays tribute to the musicians who gave the music life.

i see the rhythm is an inspiring celebration of African American music and the far-reaching impact it has had on the world.

About the Creators

Toyomi Igus

Toyomi Igus is the author and editor of several books for children, including Two Mrs. Gibsons and the award-winning Going Back Home, her brilliant account of artist Michele Wood's personal journey to the South. The former Editor and Publications Director for UCLA's Center for African American Studies, she lives in Los Angeles, California.

Michele Wood

Michele Wood is an illustrator, painter, aspiring filmmaker, colorist, clothing and jewelry designer, living in Atlanta, Georgia. She accomplished her Master in Divinity at Christian Theological Seminary, where she was the Artist in Residence 2015-2018. She was awarded the Young Church Women United Award 2016. Her first book, Going Back Home, was honored with an American Book Award Before Columbus Foundation. Wood’s second book, i see the rhythm received the Coretta Scott King Award in 1999 for Illustration.

Awards

  • Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award

    American Library Association (ALA)

  • Texas Bluebonnet Award Shortlist

    Texas Library Association (TLA)

  • Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor

    Jane Addams Peace Association

  • ALSC Notable Children's Books

    American Library Association (ALA)

Reviews

  • * "This ambitious picture book from the creators of Going Back Home offers a sweeping visual history of African Americans through music, from the pulsating drums of Africa... right on up to present-day rap and hip hop... Impeccably crafted, this visually exciting and lyrically memorable tour de force is not to be missed."

    - Publishers Weekly
  • * "...the pictures broadcast joy, innovation, and exuberance in the face of systematic oppression."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "This children's book is an inspiring celebration of African American music and its far-reaching impact on the world."

    - Multicultural Education
  • "This compact picture book is infinitely rich, wide, and deep, showing how one musical form influenced the next."

    - Children's Book Award Annual

Paperback

  • ISBN 9780892392124
  • Price $11.95
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size 8.5 × 10.25 in
  • Weight 0.375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9780892391516
  • Price $16.95
  • Publication Date Jan 01, 2100
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Interests

  • Imprint Children's Book Press
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Music / History
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / African American & Black
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / Places / Africa
  • Themes African / African American / Black, Art, Cultural Diversity, Dance, History & Civics, Holidays / Traditions, Identity / Self Esteem / Confidence, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Jazz, Middle Grade, Multiple Ethnicities Represented, Music, Nonfiction, People In Motion, Poetry, Pride, Religion / Spiritual, Similarities and Differences, Slavery, United States History
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 8 - 13
  • Grade Range Grades 3 - 8
  • Guided Reading T
  • ATOS Book Level 5.1
  • DRA 44
  • Interest Level Grades 3 - 8
  • Lexile Code NP
  • Reading Level Grades 5 - 6
  • SRC 6.8
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    ADA Site Compliance-Accessibility Policy