Discover the breadth and depth of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poetry—and learn how it reflects his singular life as a late-nineteenth-century black man.
Did you know that Paul Laurence Dunbar originated such famous lines as “I know why the caged bird sings” and “We wear the mask that grins and lies”? From his childhood in poverty and his early promise as a poet to his immense fame and his untimely death, Dunbar’s story is one of triumph and tragedy. But his legacy remains in his much-beloved poetry—told in both Standard English and in dialect—which continues to delight and inspire readers today. More than two dozen of Dunbar’s poems are woven throughout this volume, illuminating the phases of his life and serving as examples of dialect, imagery, and tone. Narrating in a voice full of admiration and respect, Sally Derby introduces Paul Laurence Dunbar’s life and poetry to readers young and old, aided by Sean Qualls’s striking black-and-white illustrations.
Sally Derby is the author of several books for young readers, including No Mush Today, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell, and Kyle’s Island. Sally Derby lives in Cincinnati.
Sean Qualls is an award-winning illustrator whose many books for young people include Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat by Roxane Orgill. Sean Qualls lives in Brooklyn.
AWARD
| 2016 NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Books for Young People
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Not available for sale:
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As a poet, [Dunbar] used both voices to splendid effect. Derby uses her “grandma voice” equally well, evoking the spirit of Dunbar’s work and humanizing the man behind his poems, many of which are integrated with the text. She is quick to acknowledge the occasional surmise, but her story has the ring of truth, nicely enhanced by Qualls’ expressionist drawings. Jump back, reader, here’s a biography to remember. —Booklist (starred review)
The author is...quite respectful toward this beloved black poet. —Kirkus Reviews
This will be an engaging introduction to one of the lesser-known greats, especially if paired with recorded readings of his poetry to bring out its music. —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Derby writes an engaging biography, oftentimes with interesting personal spins on Dunbar’s life and poetry. This book is a terrific introduction, and gives the reader the opportunity to learn more about African-American history, and the struggles that African-Americans faced. —School Library Connection
Discover the breadth and depth of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poetry—and learn how it reflects his singular life as a late-nineteenth-century black man.
Did you know that Paul Laurence Dunbar originated such famous lines as “I know why the caged bird sings” and “We wear the mask that grins and lies”? From his childhood in poverty and his early promise as a poet to his immense fame and his untimely death, Dunbar’s story is one of triumph and tragedy. But his legacy remains in his much-beloved poetry—told in both Standard English and in dialect—which continues to delight and inspire readers today. More than two dozen of Dunbar’s poems are woven throughout this volume, illuminating the phases of his life and serving as examples of dialect, imagery, and tone. Narrating in a voice full of admiration and respect, Sally Derby introduces Paul Laurence Dunbar’s life and poetry to readers young and old, aided by Sean Qualls’s striking black-and-white illustrations.
Creators
Sally Derby is the author of several books for young readers, including No Mush Today, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell, and Kyle’s Island. Sally Derby lives in Cincinnati.
Sean Qualls is an award-winning illustrator whose many books for young people include Skit-Scat Raggedy Cat by Roxane Orgill. Sean Qualls lives in Brooklyn.
AWARD
| 2016 NCSS-CBC Notable Trade Books for Young People
Rights
Available for sale exclusive:
• Afghanistan
• Aland Islands
• Albania
• Algeria
• Andorra
• Angola
• Anguilla
• Antarctica
• Antigua/Barbuda
• Argentina
• Armenia
• Aruba
• Austria
• Azerbaijan
• Bahamas
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Barbados
• Belarus
• Belgium
• Belize
• Benin
• Bermuda
• Bhutan
• Bolivia
• Bonaire, Saba
• Bosnia Herzeg.
• Botswana
• Bouvet Island
• Brazil
• Brit.Ind.Oc.Ter
• Brit.Virgin Is.
• Brunei
• Bulgaria
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Canada
• Cape Verde
• Cayman Islands
• Centr.Afr.Rep.
• Chad
• Chile
• China
• Christmas Islnd
• Cocos Islands
• Colombia
• Comoro Is.
• Congo
• Cook Islands
• Costa Rica
• Croatia
• Curacao
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Dem. Rep. Congo
• Denmark
• Djibouti
• Dominica
• Dominican Rep.
• Ecuador
• Egypt
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Gui.
• Eritrea
• Estonia
• Ethiopia
• Falkland Islnds
• Faroe Islands
• Fiji
• Finland
• France
• Fren.Polynesia
• French Guinea
• Gabon
• Gambia
• Georgia
• Germany
• Ghana
• Gibraltar
• Greece
• Greenland
• Grenada
• Guadeloupe
• Guam
• Guatemala
• Guernsey
• Guinea Republic
• Guinea-Bissau
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Heard/McDon.Isl
• Honduras
• Hong Kong
• Hungary
• Iceland
• India
• Indonesia
• Iraq
• Isle of Man
• Israel
• Italy
• Ivory Coast
• Jamaica
• Japan
• Jersey
• Jordan
• Kazakhstan
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Kuwait
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Latvia
• Lebanon
• Lesotho
• Liberia
• Libya
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Macau
• Macedonia
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Mali
• Malta
• Marshall island
• Martinique
• Mauritania
• Mauritius
• Mayotte
• Mexico
• Micronesia
• Minor Outl.Ins.
• Moldavia
• Monaco
• Mongolia
• Montenegro
• Montserrat
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Myanmar
• Namibia
• Nauru
• Nepal
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• Nicaragua
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Niue
• Norfolk Island
• North Mariana
• Norway
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Palau
• Palestinian Ter
• Panama
• PapuaNewGuinea
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Philippines
• Pitcairn Islnds
• Poland
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico
• Qatar
• Reunion Island
• Romania
• Russian Fed.
• Rwanda
• S. Sandwich Ins
• Saint Martin
• Samoa,American
• San Marino
• SaoTome Princip
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Serbia
• Seychelles
• Sierra Leone
• Singapore
• Sint Maarten
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Solomon Islands
• Somalia
• South Africa
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• Spain
• Sri Lanka
• St Barthelemy
• St. Helena
• St. Lucia
• St. Vincent
• St.Chr.,Nevis
• St.Pier,Miquel.
• Sth Terr. Franc
• Sudan
• Suriname
• Svalbard
• Swaziland
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Syria
• Tadschikistan
• Taiwan
• Tanzania
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Togo
• Tokelau Islands
• Tonga
• Trinidad,Tobago
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Turks&Caicos Is
• Tuvalu
• US Virgin Is.
• USA
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• Unit.Arab Emir.
• Uruguay
• Uzbekistan
• Vanuatu
• Vatican City
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Wallis,Futuna
• West Saharan
• Western Samoa
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
Not available for sale:
• Australia
• Cuba
• Iran
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• North Korea
• United Kingdom
Photos
Praise
As a poet, [Dunbar] used both voices to splendid effect. Derby uses her “grandma voice” equally well, evoking the spirit of Dunbar’s work and humanizing the man behind his poems, many of which are integrated with the text. She is quick to acknowledge the occasional surmise, but her story has the ring of truth, nicely enhanced by Qualls’ expressionist drawings. Jump back, reader, here’s a biography to remember. —Booklist (starred review)
The author is...quite respectful toward this beloved black poet. —Kirkus Reviews
This will be an engaging introduction to one of the lesser-known greats, especially if paired with recorded readings of his poetry to bring out its music. —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Derby writes an engaging biography, oftentimes with interesting personal spins on Dunbar’s life and poetry. This book is a terrific introduction, and gives the reader the opportunity to learn more about African-American history, and the struggles that African-Americans faced. —School Library Connection