Poetry- Come Sunday

“Come on, Sweet Pea. Open up those eyes.” said momma. It was Sunday and Latasha can not wait to go to “Paradise.” Through this book you experience the sights, sounds and smells of going to church with LaTasha. She is able to see the joy in all the little things that make Sunday special. She doesn’t mind the “blue – haired ladies” pinching her cheeks, she “races up to the balcony” to admire the ladies hats, and then mind drifts to her mother’s white gloves. LaTasha is brought back when she hears the music and starts to tap her feet and sing to “rock-a-my- soul.” The joy she has for going to church is revealed in each poem that is written. LaTasha goes from Sunday School, to the offering, and then the prayer at the altar. “I pray at the altar with one eye open” because “I’m hopin’ to catch a miracle.” Then she yells, “Amen” louder than anyone there” because now it is church supper. Evening comes and everyone leaves to go home. She is tired but so happy “I’m glad I spent another day in Paradise.” This delightful story told in a collection of 14 poems and is enhanced by the beautiful watercolor illustrations of Michael Bryant. The paintings and words convey the joy of going to church from LaTasha’s eyes.
Awards:
ALA Notable Book
California Readers California Collection- elementary schools list
Kirkus- “Whatever their religious background, readers will smile at the jubilation”
Publishers Weekly starred review- “In lively and delicious poetry, accompanied by evocative, full- color illustrations”
Detroit Free Press- “Reading Nikki Grimes’ delightful collection of poems …is like taking a trip to church through the eyes and mind of a little girl.”
Come Sunday is a wonderful way for children to see how a story can be told in verse. This is a great way to bring in poetry in the classroom during Black History Month. In the Story of Ruby Bridges her faith is what gets her through a fearful time. After reading about Ruby and how her faith kept her going day after day. Latasha is able to paint a wonderful picture of how important her church and faith is to her as it was to Ruby Bridges and her family. This is a way "to make a connection."(Vardel 2008) I am excited about finding ways to link more picture books to poetry.