Ijust love each and everypoem in this book

My favorite poem is "Black Monument". It was very emotional and interesting. Another favorite poem is "Dream Variation". I would suggest that children ages 9 - 12 read this book.

Arnold Adoff's collection of poems makes connections for young, old (but never too old to take it to the hoop), female and male. My son and daughter (9 and 11) loved this book, and I am ordering it for my sister (a college coach). The illistrations are fabulous! These poems are inspirational and thoughtful.

It's funny to see the subject given for this book as Flight-Fiction because that is so incidental to what this beautiful book is about. When I saw this book I knew I had to get a copy for my daughter and I would love to buy one for every young girl and newborn baby girl I know. That may sound sexist, but the reason I love this book so much is that it's message is of liberation, imagination, endless possibilities and beauty in the everyday. The pictures are stunning, the language and style is music (watch for the pause icons as well as the punctuation - it reads much better if you count a beat whenever the little symbol appears.) In a world of Barbies and Sailor Moons, this book offers a much more compelling image of what a young girl can aspire to -- anything. Oh, one other thing - this is the only kid's book I know that uses words I didn't know and named animals and plants I had never heard of. Something I look for in a book - that it holds my attention and teaches me something as well. Also one of the few children's books that I read to my wife when we are alone.

I loved this book, it made me proud to be an African American. It makes you realize that the things you see on TV and the news are covering up the talent and greatness of African Americans. There are poems by various poets, all of them are great!

Arnold Adoff captures the essence of being a fumbling, embarassed teenager through his poems. Love, drugs, and school are just a few of the topics covered in the many uniquely formed poems. Adoff, who writes successfully from many perspectives, can bring you back to your youth or identify with a young person today with "Slow Dance: Heart Break Blues."

I liked the book for the discriptive lerics

This book (Black is Brown is Tan) has been a favorite of my daughter since she was one year. There are very few children's books that stress the positive of being a member of a bi-racial family. Black is Brown Is Tan shows the harmony and love between parents, children, and other family members. We love the fact that the extended family (the tan-skinned Uncle, Grandma White and Granny Black) are prominent figures in this book. The book highlights the differences and similarities between the races. It is a great read for all families no matter what their ethnic background. It has become the main staple in my baby shower gift baskets.

I first read this book when the librarian at my elementary school in Worthington, Ohio had the insight to order it! I was the first student to check it out. I was in Fifth Grade at the time. I have to say that at the time, I had a friend that was black (like coffee in the pot) and I am white (with pinks and brown freckles). She lived with an all white family as a foster child. My family had real issues that the two of us were friends. Reading this book helped make things easier for me. 16 years ago, I bought this book for my bi-racial daughter, Samantha. She loved it. Now, all three of my children and many of our neighbors' children have borrowed it, read it, and live it. I can't think of any better way to breach the subject of race and to explain our differences and most importantly, our similarities. Black is Brown is Tan... for 30 years this book has helped me and my family!

"black is brown is tan/is girl is boy/is nose is face/is all the colors/of the race // is dark is light/singing songs/in singing night/kiss big woman hug big man/black is brown is tan // this is the way it is for us this is the way we are" Originally published in 1973, Arnold Adoff's joyous, lyrical, story-poem is as fresh and relevant today, as is was almost thirty years ago. Meet this wonderful extended family, from Momma, a "brown sugar gown/a tasty tan and coffee pumpkin pie/with dark brown eyes and almond ears", and Dad, not white like milk or snow, but "with pinks and tiny tans...brown eyes big yellow ears", and their kids, the color of both races, to golden haired aunts, tan colored uncles, granny white and grandma black "kissing both your cheeks and hugging back..." Mr Adoff's simple, rhythmic text is filled with love and pride as it celebrates his interracial family, and is complemented by award winning illustrator, Emily McCully's warm and cheerful artwork. Together word and art paints an engaging portrait of a strong, happy, loving family. Perfect for youngsters from 3 to 93, Black Is Brown Is Tan is a timeless classic, best read aloud and shared, that honors all families and the things that make them special.

I enjoyed reading All the Colors of the Race by Arnold Adoff. (Illustrated by John Steptoe.) It was interesting how Adoff writes from the perspective of a girl. With such strong sentiments, I couldn't help but wonder if there is any relation to his own life or that of someone he knows. I have read other poetry books by Adoff, and this was one of my favorites. In "I am making a circle for my self," I enjoyed the references to Golda Meir and Moses. In "The way I see any hope for later," Adoff powerfully addresses issues of race and gender, saying that we need to "stop looking" and "start loving." What a powerful poem! Even the layout of the words adds to the effect. "Remember:" makes an interesting reference to the fact that way back when there was only one race--a fact that makes one wonder how we ever became so divided.

Endearing poems that express children's feelings of love, friendship and curiosity are gathered together in the form of letters in this unique and creative collection. The charismatic letters penned to teachers, classmates, family members and others such as the playground snow girl or "fill-in-your-own-name" delight and intrigue 4 to 8 year old readers. Adding a different twist to modern free verse, Adoff makes brilliant use of word and letter placement to emphasize and capture the statement each love letter makes. There is a poem to which every child can relate, whether it is the boy with a secret crush- "Dear Tall Girl At Front Table: I love you more than peanut butter cookies crumble. I love you more than yellow bees bumble. I also love you more than dark thunder clouds rumble." -or the admiring son- "Dear Hard Working Dad: Even when you snore on the couch, I am proud with a full heart for you." Each poem stands alone as a distinctive piece, and is accompanied by innovative artwork for which illustrator Desimini used sculptured models, collages, oil paintings, photographs and mixed-media computer graphics. A true-to-life model of grandmother's head accompanies a tribute to her homemade treats, and an original collage of common objects forms a self portrait that accompanies a letter to oneself. This collection would make a great addition to a Valentine's Day celebration as a read-aloud, and children will be drawn to its humor and lightheartedness while reading independently as well.

A year of touches - mud, sand, water, leaves, and ice among them - are the subjects of this new collection of free verse from the author of Love Letters and Chocolate Dreams. Lisa Desimin's photographs and computer generated paintings accompanying the verses are outstanding in clarity and ability to match the mood of each poem. Adoff again plays with the text stretching words out and arranging them in unique patterns across the page. Recommended for aspiring poets or poetry browsers.