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Book Cover for: Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat [With CD (Audio)], Nikki Giovanni

Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat [With CD (Audio)]

Nikki Giovanni

Winner:NAPPA Gold Awards -Pop-Up Books/Kits (2008)
Finalist:Audies -Children Ages Up to 8 (2009)

Where words move, voices rise, and poetry becomes power--this is the beat of learning for a new generation.

Hip Hop Speaks to Children, edited by acclaimed poet Nikki Giovanni, is a vibrant celebration of rhythm, rhyme, and cultural roots. Blending the power of hip hop with the depth of classic and contemporary poetry, this New York Times Bestseller delivers an unforgettable spoken-word journey--designed for young readers but resonant for all ages.

Featuring over 50 powerful poems and lyrics, this collection brings language to life in a way kids can hear, feel, and understand.

Why Kids, Parents, Teachers, and Librarians Love it:

  • A Tapestry of Voices: Poets and performers from Nikki Giovanni, Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Queen Latifah, Tupac Shakur, Common, Mos Def, Lucille Clifton, Sterling A. Brown, Nikki Grimes, A Tribe Called Quest. and many more!
  • Multicultural and Cross-Generational: Connects kids to the literary, social, and musical voices that shaped today's world.
  • Includes a CD with 30+ Read-Aloud Performances: Featuring original artists or dynamic interpretations.
  • Gift-Ready: Perfect for young writers, music lovers, and students discovering their voice.


If you want kids to feel the power of language, understand the richness of culture, and discover their own creative voice--Hip Hop Speaks to Children is more than a book. It's a movement you can hold in your hands.


Book Details

  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Explore
  • Publish Date: Oct 1st, 2008
  • Pages: 80
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 10.76in - 9.70in - 0.52in - 1.46lb
  • EAN: 9781402210488
  • Recommended age: 07-UP
  • Categories: Poetry - GeneralMusic - Rap & Hip Hop

About the Author

Giovanni, Nikki: -

Nikki Giovanni is an award-winning poet, writer, and activist. She is the author of more than two dozen books for adults and children, including Bicycles, Quilting the Black-Eyed Pea, Racism 101, Blues: For All the Changes, and Love Poems. Her children's book-plus-audio compilation Hip Hop Speaks to Children was awarded the NAACP Image Award. Her children's book Rosa, a picture-book retelling of the Rosa Parks story, was a Caldecott Honor Book and winner of the Coretta Scott King Award. Both books were New York Times bestsellers. Nikki is a Grammy nominee for her spoken-word album The Nikki Giovanni Poetry Collection and has been nominated for the National Book Award. She has been voted Woman of the Year by Essence, Mademoiselle, and Ladies' Home Journal. She is a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech, where she teaches writing and literature.

Praise for this book

"With appeal for preliterate children, their great grandparents, and every generation between, this will be fun for families to share as they get their groove on. " -- Booklist
"The variety of poetic forms and performance styles...makes this collection an excellent source of material not found together elsewhere." -- Kirkus Reviews
"The beats would make any kid want to get up and dance, and I think the idea of incorporating music with the poetry will keep kids interested." -- Savvy Verse & Wit