Le Kid and I were wandering through the children’s section in Barnes & Noble when I spotted something that looked a lot like painter Jean-Michel Basquiat’s work. As I got closer, I noticed it was his work. But that wasn’t the best part.
As I picked up the book, I saw it not only included Basquiat’s paintings, but also Maya Angelou’s words!
Could it be? Two of the most important artists of the 20th Century together in one book?
Yup! How wonderful!
In Life Doesn’t Frighten Me, Maya Angelou’s poems speak to the courage within each child. While unknown things, darkness, and new experiences may make a kiddo nervous, Angelou writes about not being afraid.
Here’s the synopsis:
“Shadows on the wall/Noises down the hall/Life doesn’t frighten me at all.”
Maya Angelou’s brave, defiant poem celebrates the courage within each of us, young and old. From the scary thought of panthers in the park to the unsettling scene of a new classroom, fearsome images are summoned and dispelled by the power of faith in ourselves.Angelou’s strong words are matched by the daring vision of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose childlike style reveals the powerful emotions and fanciful imaginings of childhood. Together, Angelou’s words and Basquiat’s paintings create a place where every child, indeed every person, may experience his or her own fearlessness.In this brilliant introduction to poetry and contemporary art, brief biographies of Angelou and Basquiat accompany the text and artwork, focusing on the strengths they took from their lives and brought to their work. A selected bibliography of Angelou’s books and a selected museum listing of Basquiat’s works open the door to further inspiration through the fine arts.
I couldn’t help flipping through the book while I waited for the kid, and it’s settled, I’m going to buy it.
I’ve always been attracted to Basquiat’s work, and would LOVE to own a painting, but alas…they’re so expensive. This book–which is FULL of Basquiat’s artwork–will be the next best thing.
Check out the book on Amazon, here.
