Monday, November 26, 2018

Bibliophile's Corner

Little Man Little Man
by James Baldwin
Illustrated by Yoran Cazac

Flap Copy Description:
Four-year-old TJ spends his days on his lively Harlem block playing with his best friends WT and Blinky and running errands for neighbors. As he comes of age as a "Little Man' with big dreams, TJ faces a world of grown-up adventures and realities. Baldwin's only children's book, Little Man, Little Man celebrates and explores the challenges and joys of black childhood.

My Thoughts:
This unique children's book by one of America's greatest writers is just as relevant today as when it was first published in 1976. This new edition includes a foreword by Baldwin's nephew Tejan "TJ" Karefa-Smart and an afterword by his niece Aisha Karefa-Smart, with an introduction by two Baldwin scholars. I absolutely loved reading Little Man, Little Man! The colloquial language used by Mr. Baldwin is wonderful, and the story (in vignettes) provides an authentic look at life in Harlem from a black child's perspective. Additionally, the book's 96 pages were charmingly illustrated by the Parisian artist, Yoran Cazac. I highly recommend Little Man, Little Man to readers of all ages!

Click here to learn about legendary writer/intellectual, James Baldwin.