It seems the whole world is mourning the passing of the great Maya Angelou. The Pulitzer Prize nominee was, after all, one of the greatest voices of a generation — her books and poems touched millions of American adults. So how is it that we can explain the depth and breadth of the legendary author's influence on America to our kids?
Although she may be best known for tomes such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, which is better saved for the teen years (or older), Angelou is also the author of myriad books for kids. They're a perfect way to open the doors to a conversation about Angelou, and open your child's eyes to one of the greatest authors of our time.
Which Angelou book is on your shelves?
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My Painted House, Fried Chicken, and Me
The story of a little girl named Thandi, who lives in South Africa with her beloved chicken, includes full color photographs of the Ndebele tribe and introduces American kids to a whole new culture.
Life Doesn't Frighten Me
Angelou's poems are paired with paintings by Jean-Michel Basquiat in an exploration of children's commons fears — and how to dispel them.
Maya's World -- Series
Angelou wrote a four-book series of Maya's World books that shared tales of little girls in Italy, Hawaii, France, and Lapland.
Kofi and His Magic
Children can visit a West African village with a little boy named Ashanti in this book with words by Maya Angelou and photographs by Margaret Courtney-Clarke.
Poems for Young People: Maya Angelou
Dr. Edwin Graves Wilson gathered some of the most kid-friendly Angelou poems in this celebrated anthology, from “Harlem Hopscotch” to prideful “Me and My Work."
