I read this book several years ago and was captivated by the simplicity of the poem and the magnificent artwork of Jean-Michel Basquiat. I first discovered his art during my high school days. I vividly remember sharing my discovery with other artists, only to find that they had no idea who he was, let alone his remarkable works.
Then, I picked up this book once again. It was after I watched the democratic convention and saw a politician reference Maya Angelou's poem in his speech. I disliked it because he distorted the meaning of her poem to suit his own message. I firmly oppose using art in any form to serve propaganda. After his speech, my interest was piqued, and I decided to explore Maya Angelou's bibliography. I was amazed to see that she had written a plethora of books, especially children's books. So, I decided to invest my time and reread this book to write a review.
I believe this poem is excellent for children as it showcases how, when life gets tough, we humans often become cowards and shy away from our problems. While this may be a normal response when we are clueless about solving our problems, it is not a great decision. This poem helps the reader realize that, indeed, life can be difficult at different stages, but in the end, we must face our problems head-on and look for the silver lining or the rainbow after the storm.
This poem can resonate with everyone, whether you are reading it to your child or as an adult trying to figure out what to do with your personal and professional life. Moreover, with the beautiful artwork serving as illustrations, it makes the entire experience heartwarming and entertaining.