This remarkable book seamlessly incorporates the art of writing and the art of creating paintings.

Maya Angelou, a renowned literary figure, penned a beautiful poem specifically for kids.

Jean-Michel Basquiat, an equally famous artist, then created stunning paintings that perfectly complemented the poem.

This collaboration is an outstanding example of how art and writing can come together in a harmonious and powerful way.

It serves as an excellent teaching tool that can be utilized in both a young classroom, where it can spark the imagination and creativity of the students, or an older classroom, where it can teach them more advanced techniques of incorporating images and words to enhance their own works.

By presenting this combination of art and literature, the book offers a unique and engaging learning experience for students of all ages.

Ambiguity can be a complex concept, especially when it comes to children's literature. While it may be fine for adults to grapple with and interpret, its effectiveness for kids is less certain. This review, originally published at http://www.drttmk.com/books/life-does..., examines the poem "Life Doesn't Frighten Me" by Maya Angelou. The book is well-written, and the artwork is well-executed, despite the reviewer not being a big fan of Basquiat. The paintings are matched fairly well to the text of the poem.

The reviewer, however, is not sure of the actual perspective of the poem. They wonder if the speaker is truly not frightened or if they are trying to convince themselves. The poem lists several scary things like ghosts, dragons, lions, and dogs, and claims that the speaker makes fun of them and shooes them away. But then it mentions a specific circumstance in a new classroom where boys pull the speaker's hair and girls with curly hair don't frighten the speaker at all. This feels more like wish fulfillment than a realistic portrayal.

The poem then takes a strange turn with the mention of a magic charm that allows the speaker to walk the ocean floor without breathing. This seems to come out of nowhere and supports the idea that the speaker is fantasizing. The reviewer questions what the poem is really trying to say. Is it telling children not to be afraid of life and face it head-on, or is it suggesting that everybody is secretly afraid but projects a false air of confidence? And will children understand this ambiguity?

The reviewer believes that a picture book may not be the best choice for this poem. It is marketed as juvenile poetry, but it seems more suitable for adults who can truly understand its subtext. The average child may not get the message, and a preschooler might even misunderstand and think that it's not okay to be scared. Amazon claims that the book is aimed at ages 4+, but the reviewer doubts that a five-year-old would understand it. They wonder at what age children would actually be able to grasp the poem's meaning.

In conclusion, the reviewer is left with the question of whether the message of the poem, which could be either "Don't be afraid of the world" or "Everybody is actually pretending that they're not afraid of the world," will get through to children. The ambiguity that may work for adults may be lost on younger readers, and the choice of a picture book may not be the most effective way to convey this complex message.

My cousin Dana picked this out when I had my first child.

I vividly remember that moment. She was still in high school back then.

It was such a thoughtful gesture from her.

The item she chose carried a great message for kids.

It was something that would surely have a positive impact on my child's growth and development.

I was truly touched by her kindness and consideration.

Dana's choice showed that even at a young age, she had a deep understanding of the importance of positive messages for children.

I am so grateful to her for this wonderful gift.

It will always hold a special place in my heart and in the life of my child.

The words and the images have an extraordinary charm that always bring me an indescribable joy.

Every time I encounter beautiful words, whether they are in a captivating novel, a profound poem, or a simple yet meaningful sentence, they seem to dance in my mind, painting vivid pictures and evoking a myriad of emotions.

Similarly, the images, be it a breathtaking landscape photograph, a stunning work of art, or a charming illustration, have the power to transport me to different worlds and make my heart soar.

The combination of words and images is like a magical potion that can brighten my day, inspire my creativity, and give me a sense of peace and contentment.

I am truly grateful for the joy that they bring into my life, and I will continue to cherish and explore the wonderful world of words and images.

"Shadows on the wall, noises down the hall, Life doesn't frighten me at all." Maya Angelou's book truly hits home with its dark yet real essence. The pages are black, written with white letters, creating a striking visual contrast. The illustrations, which are abstract paintings by Jean-Michel Basquial, add an extra layer of depth and mystery to the book.

Although it is a picture book, the words and the message it conveys can be understood and appreciated by students of any age. Students have the freedom to interpret her words in their own unique ways, making it a great discussion book. By asking students what they are afraid of, it opens up many doors and possibilities for exploration and self-discovery.

I would take it a step further and ask students to illustrate what they are afraid of. This not only encourages creativity but also helps them to face their fears head-on. "Life Doesn't Frighten Me" is a powerful book that teaches students not to be afraid of anything at all. It empowers them to embrace life with courage and confidence, no matter what challenges come their way.

This book vividly describes a variety of fears that people, especially children, often experience.

Many children have common night-time fears like the shadows on their walls or strange noises that seem to come out of nowhere. After each of these numerous fears is mentioned, the powerful verse "life doesn't frighten me at all" appears.

The author lists things such as the barking of bad dogs, the presence of lions and dragons, tough guys, new classrooms, snakes, and many other things that can creep into children's minds and cause them to feel scared.

On the last page, the line of the poem - "life doesn't frighten me at all" is repeated, perhaps as a form of reassurance.

Jean Michael is the illustrator of this book. He utilized a variety of mediums including paint, oil stick, pastels, and ink in his paintings. He has used many classic artist's materials to create many of his other works as well.

In many of his paintings, he depicts crowns and teeth, and in several pictures in this book, there are skulls. Each picture is filled with numerous details, but unfortunately, each picture can also be very frightening.

Maya Angelou is a very renowned poet. However, because this poem suggests so many things that children could potentially be afraid of, it might cause children to become afraid of some things that they were not previously afraid of.

Due to the presence of these frightening pictures, I do not recommend this book for children.

I got this book for my son.

As a die-hard fan of Maya Angelou, I was absolutely thrilled when I came across this book.

The pictures within it are incredibly artistic, with a wild and captivating charm that instantly grabs the attention.

Moreover, the lesson on fear and courage is presented in such a poetically beautiful way.

It not only engages the reader visually but also touches the heart and mind on a deeper level.

The words flow like a gentle stream, guiding the reader through the exploration of these important emotions.

It's a book that I believe will have a profound impact on my son, teaching him valuable life lessons while also introducing him to the wonderful world of literature and art.

I'm truly grateful to have found this gem and can't wait to share it with him.

Life Doesn't Frighten Me is an engaging and creative story that focuses on the themes of conquering fears and believing in oneself.

The book's major theme is self-belief, which Maya Angelou explores through her discussion of having a "trick up her sleeve" and her refusal to be frightened by life. She admits that the only time she experiences fear is in her dreams, choosing instead to approach life with courage and confidence.

The main genre of this book is poetry, presented as an illustrated poem by Maya Angelou. If presenting this book to children, it would be beneficial to discuss the concept of fear in their own lives and how they can overcome it. Confidence is often the key to conquering fear, whether it's confidence in oneself, one's safety, or one's reality.

This book was a "WOW" book for me due to its powerful message and the intentional connection between the illustrations and the text. The author uses repetition effectively, constantly repeating the phrase "life doesn't frighten me" to emphasize the message and engage younger readers. The intentional connection between the text and images is also an example of excellent writing craft, as the paintings enhance and support the message conveyed by the text.

Furthermore, this book can be considered anti-bias as it encourages children to have no fear or judgment towards others. Maya Angelou's statement that people fighting and strangers don't scare her serves as a reminder for children not to judge based on appearances or differences. This promotes the idea of getting to know someone's story and individual qualities before making assumptions, which is an important anti-bias concept.

Overall, Life Doesn't Frighten Me is a wonderful book that combines a powerful message with engaging poetry and illustrations, making it a great choice for children and adults alike.

Great pairing with Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

It is truly surprising how childlike the perspective of the poem feels.

The combination of the book and the poem creates a unique and engaging experience.

The poem seems to capture the essence of childhood innocence and curiosity, which is also a prominent theme in the story of Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Readers can explore the world of the young artist through the pages of the book and then be further immersed in his mindset through the poem.

This pairing offers a multi-faceted look at Basquiat's life and art, allowing for a deeper understanding and appreciation.

Whether you are a fan of Basquiat or simply interested in exploring different forms of art and literature, this combination is sure to delight and inspire.

This book serves as an invaluable primer for the children who find themselves whistling in the dark.

It offers a powerful message of bravery and resilience that is applicable to one and all.

For those young souls who are afraid and need a guiding light, this primer provides the necessary tools and inspiration.

It shows them that they have the inner strength to face the unknown and overcome their fears.

The message of bravery and resilience is not only for children but for everyone in life.

It reminds us that we can all find the courage within ourselves to persevere through difficult times and come out stronger on the other side.

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to instill the values of bravery and resilience in themselves or in the children around them.

Reading this book offers a profound perspective. It reveals that being courageous doesn't imply the absence of fear. Instead, it means confronting one's fears head-on, even when scared. In the book, a child enumerates all the terrifying aspects of life, such as noises, monsters, and bullies, yet persistently declares, "Life doesn't frighten me at all." This, I believe, exemplifies the might of remaining strong and brave in the face of fear.

The major themes explored in the book are courage and self-belief. Courage is manifested through the child's repeated assertion of not being afraid, despite discussing things that typically terrify children of that age. Self-belief is another prominent theme, as the child appears to trust themselves and refuses to let fear govern their actions.

The main genre of this book is poetry, characterized by its verses with rhythm and repetition. Children who read this book can learn that it's normal to experience fear at times, and that bravery entails doing one's best to confront those fears. This book was truly a WOW book for me. The words, though simple, were incredibly powerful, capable of instilling a sense of bravery in anyone who reads it. I particularly liked the unique pictures, which enhanced my understanding of the poem's message.

Two literary devices employed by the author in writing this book were rhyming and repetition. Rhyming added a fun element to the reading experience, captivating my attention and intensifying the message's impact through its rhythm. Repetition, as seen in the repeated phrase, "Life doesn't frighten me at all," emphasized the concept of courage and made the message more memorable. These literary devices significantly enhanced the quality of the writing, making the poem easier to recall.

I would classify this book as an anti-bias book, as it encourages children to be brave and confident, regardless of their fears or challenges.

Love the poem, but I think the art would have terrified me when I was a kid.

Poetry has always held a special charm for me. The beautiful words and rhythms can transport me to different worlds and evoke a wide range of emotions. However, when it comes to art, my perception was quite different when I was young.

Some artworks, with their bold colors, strange shapes, and abstract forms, seemed rather intimidating to my innocent eyes. I might have been scared by the unfamiliar and the unexpected.

But as I grew older and gained more exposure and understanding, I began to appreciate the beauty and depth of art. I realized that art is a form of expression that can convey complex ideas and emotions in unique ways.

Now, I not only love poetry but also have a newfound respect and admiration for art. I have come to understand that both poetry and art have the power to inspire, move, and transform us.