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Life Doesn't Frighten Me

maya angelou jean-michel basquiat sara jane boyers

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Maya Angelou's poetic celebration of the courage within each person is matched by the daring vision of artist Basquiat, whose childlike style reveals the fanciful imaginings of childhood. In this introduction to poetry and contemporary art, brief biographies of Angelou and Basquiat accompany the text and artwork.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 6,1993

This edition

Format
32 pages, Hardcover
Published
February 6, 1993 by Abrams Books for Young Readers
ISBN
9781556702884
ASIN
1556702884
Language
English

More editions

About the author

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maya angelou

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Maya Angelou was an American memoirist, poet, and civil rights activist. She published seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and is credited with a list of plays, movies, and television shows spanning over 50 years. She received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees. Angelou's series of seven autobiographies focus on her childhood and early adult experiences. The first, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), tells of her life up to the age of 17 and brought her international recognition and acclaim.
She became a poet and writer after a string of odd jobs during her young adulthood. These included fry cook, sex worker, nightclub performer, Porgy and Bess cast member, Southern Christian Leadership Conference coordinator, and correspondent in Egypt and Ghana during the decolonization of Africa. Angelou was also an actress, writer, director, and producer of plays, movies, and public television programs. In 1982, she was named the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Angelou was active in the Civil Rights Movement and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Beginning in the 1990s, she made approximately 80 appearances a year on the lecture circuit, something she continued into her eighties. In 1993, Angelou recited her poem "On the Pulse of Morning" (1993) at the first inauguration of Bill Clinton, making her the first poet to make an inaugural recitation since Robert Frost at the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961.
With the publication of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Angelou publicly discussed aspects of her personal life. She was respected as a spokesperson for Black people and women, and her works have been considered a defense of Black culture. Her works are widely used in schools and universities worldwide, although attempts have been made to ban her books from some U.S. libraries. Angelou's most celebrated works have been labeled as autobiographical fiction, but many critics consider them to be autobiographies. She made a deliberate attempt to challenge the common structure of the autobiography by critiquing, changing, and expanding the genre. Her books center on themes that include racism, identity, family, and travel.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
37(37%)
4 stars
22(22%)
3 stars
41(41%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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100 reviews All reviews
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TomoyasaI
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Love this book. It is like a precious gem that shines with wisdom and beauty.

The words within its pages have the power to touch the deepest corners of my heart and soul.

It is not just a book, but a companion that accompanies me through the joys and sorrows of life.

Love this message. It is a gentle breeze that blows away the clouds of doubt and confusion.

It gives me hope and courage to face the challenges that come my way.

The message is simple yet profound, and it has the ability to change my perspective on life.

Love this woman. She is a flower that blooms in the garden of my life.

Her presence brings warmth and light to my world.

She is kind, gentle, and loving, and I am so grateful to have her in my life.

She is the one who makes my heart skip a beat and my spirit soar.

I love her with all my heart and soul.

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Johnny-Jon
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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As soon as Julia saw the "dinosaur" on the cover, I knew we'd be checking it out of the library. I didn't even bother looking at the author, title, or flipping through it because I knew I'd be in for the fight of my life. So we just took it.

When we finally picked it up to read it, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw who the author was.

Now about the book. Julia wasn't too thrilled to find out her dinosaur was really a dragon, but she said it was going to be "a T-Rex just for me", so we picked ourselves up and kept going. She also thought the illustrations were a bit on the scary side, and frankly, I have to agree with her.

The message is obvious and it's simple enough for a young child to grasp easily.

I absolutely adore the fact that in the back of the book, Angelou's life is told in a manner that kids can not only understand but be interested in. And, I adore a thousand times more the fact that Angelou is said to "stand as a thriving, proud example of a modern American woman". From past experience, I've seen that most black authors are always "black and proud" or "a black man" or whatever else you can think of as long as you throw in "black". I don't see this, ever, with white authors, and I don't like it either way. There is too much emphasis on the race of a person these days. Male and female I can see. Black and white? No. Not useful at all in my opinion. It doesn't matter a lick to me if an author (or anyone else) is black, white, brown, or green. I think the person that wrote that, whether it was Angelou herself or someone else, did her a great service by stating that she's a "proud American woman" while leaving her race out. She shouldn't be defined by her race, no one should.

I'll note that if an author's race is specified in a circumstance where there is no reason, I'll entirely skip over it. I don't wish to have my daughter seeing everyone as whether they're black or white when there is so much more important factors to a person.
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JeyRAR
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Her words are like a powerful spell, casting a magic that touches the hearts and souls of those who listen.

Every time she speaks, it's as if a thousand stars fall from the sky and land gently in our ears.

Her voice is soft and gentle, yet it carries a weight and authority that commands attention.

When she uses her words, she has the ability to inspire, to motivate, and to bring out the best in us.

Her words can heal wounds, mend broken hearts, and give hope to those who have lost it.

They are a source of strength and comfort in times of need.

With just a few carefully chosen words, she can change our perspective on life and make us see the world in a whole new light.

Her words are truly magic, and we are all the better for having heard them.
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kousaka_tsugumi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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"Life Doesn't Frighten Me" by Maya Angelou, illustrated by Jean-Michel Basquiat, is a remarkable work.

I truly couldn't envision having much interest in Basquiat's art if the editor hadn't done an outstanding job of matching the words with the pictures. The outcome gives the impression of a seamless collaboration, rather than a mere post-hoc pairing.

The back matter is also nice, for those who are interested. And a special mention goes to my local librarians. They always manage to find new books in their displays to entice me, even when I'm in a bit of a reading slump.

It's great to have such a wonderful library copy to enjoy.
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IhoardEGGS
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Life Doesn't Frighten Me is a remarkable poem that delves deep into the theme of fearlessness.

It vividly describes all the various things that people often find themselves afraid of. However, it doesn't just stop at presenting the fears; it also infuses a powerful sense of bravery throughout.

By reading this book, children will be given the opportunity to witness that they have the ability within them to overcome their fears.

The illustrations in the book are charmingly child-like. This quality makes it highly appealing to children as they can easily relate to the images and understand the concepts being presented.

Overall, this is an outstanding book that is not only a pleasure for children to read but also leaves them with a sense of empowerment upon finishing it. It serves as a wonderful tool to help children build their courage and face life's challenges with confidence.

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DaLucaray
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Re-used ISBN is a concerning issue. In this case, although the publisher is the same, the first book is a picture book illustrated by Jean-Michel Basquiat, while the second one is part of the Graphic Poetry series and illustrated by Darcy Muenchrath.

This situation is bound to cause confusion in the future. I am well aware that my office has been purchasing books from the Graphic Poetry series for use in schools.

It is essential to ensure that each book has a unique ISBN to avoid such mix-ups. This not only helps in accurate identification and classification but also simplifies the process of ordering and stocking books.

Publishers should take responsibility for ensuring the integrity of the ISBN system and avoid re-using ISBNs for different books. This will prevent unnecessary confusion and ensure a smooth flow of books in the educational and literary markets.
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MayTail
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The words and pictures in this book might initially seem scary to a child. However, as they continue to read, they will experience a sense of triumph.

It is an excellent book to share with a child and then encourage them to explore it independently.

The combination of vivid illustrations and engaging text can capture a child's imagination and take them on a thrilling adventure.

By allowing them to explore on their own, they can develop their creativity and critical thinking skills.

This book not only provides entertainment but also offers valuable learning opportunities for children.

It can help them face their fears, build confidence, and discover the joy of reading.

Overall, it is a wonderful addition to any child's library.
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
Aguella
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Shadows on the wall,


Noises down the hall.


These common occurrences in life do not have the power to frighten me at all.


Bad dogs barking loud,


Big ghosts in a cloud.


Even such seemingly scary things hold no terror for me.


Mean old Mother Goose,


Lions on the loose.


They are just part of the fabric of life and don't frighten me in the slightest.


Dragons breathing flame on my counterpane.


This fantastical image doesn't cause me any fear either.


I go boo, make them shoo.


I make fun, watch the way they run.


I choose not to cry, so they fly away.


I simply smile and they go wild.


Life, with all its potential scares, doesn't frighten me at all.


Tough guys fight, all alone at night.


This doesn't have any impact on my fearlessness.


Panthers in the park,


Strangers in the dark.


No, they are not enough to make me feel afraid.


That new classroom where boys all pull my hair,


(Kissy little girls with their hair in curls).


Even these experiences in school don't frighten me at all.


Don't show me frogs and snakes and listen for my scream.


If I'm afraid at all, it's only in my dreams.


I've got a magic charm that I keep up my sleeve.


I can walk the ocean floor and never have to breathe.


Life, in all its forms and challenges, doesn't frighten me at all.
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