Book-A-Day 17: I, Too, Am America

I, Too, Am America

Written by: Langston Hughes

Illustrated by: Bryan Collier

Langston Hughes is a celebrated African-American poet whose poems are simple yet very powerful.   He wrote poems that told stories reflecting the culture of African-Americans, both their suffering and their celebrations.  In I, Too, Am America the words from Langston Hughes' famous poem, "I, Too" are partnered with Bryan Collier's illustrations to highlight a distinct storyline.  While, Hughes never specified any certain person in his poem, Collier used the history of the Pullman Porters, African-American men who worked as caretakers to wealthy white passengers aboard luxury trains to bring this poem to life and illustrate change over time.  While the words to this poem are few, they are indeed powerful and Collier's illustrations strengthen the message even more.  

Bryan Collier has used his distinct collage illustrations to show change over time in a unique way that corresponds to the words in this poem.  His illustrations begin with images of an African-American porter on a train doing the daily tasks.   Gradually the scenes change from the past to the present in which people of all colors ride on an urban city train together.  At the end of the book, there is an illustrator's note in which he provides additional information to the reader and things to notice in his illustrations.  

When discussing metaphors and similes with students, have them explore how artists can also depict these through drawings.  Collier does a wonderful job with this throughout the book in which he uses the American flag to serve as a metaphor for the "growth of our people almost invisible during the Pullman porter's time, but bolder and stronger toward the end."   Using this book as a mentor text, you could also have students choose poems to take apart and illustrate to create their own "poem turned picture book".  You could even do this with other powerful poems written by Langston Hughes.  How does their work compare with that of Bryan Collier's? 

Below is a clip in which you can listen to Langston Hughes read aloud his famous poem.  

To learn more about Langston Hughes and his celebrated life as a poet, please click here.  Illustrator Bryan Collier is a three time Coretta Scott King Book award winner.  More information about him and his illustrations can be found here.  

Langston HughesBryan Colllier