Reynolds, Jason. There Was a Party for Langston. Jerome Pumphrey, Jarrett Pumphrey, Illus. Atheneum, 10/2023. [56]pp. Picture Book. Trade $18.99. 978-1-5344-3944-3. GRADES Kindergarten–3. OUTSTANDING.
In his author’s note, Reynolds explains how seeing a photo of Maya Angelou dancing with Amiri Baraka at the Schomburg Center’s 1991 party in honor of Langston Hughes sparked the idea to write this book. There Was a Party for Langston draws a line of word making from Hughes in the Harlem Renaissance to author activists like Angelou and Baraka in the ’70s and ’80s and on to Reynolds today. The celebration of Hughes’ words is brought to life in the amazing stamp illustrations by the Pumphrey brothers. Clever pictures are literally made up of words—drums are drawn with the words “thump,” the dancing Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka are drawn with the letters of their names, and poems are illustrated with letters creating the images. The joy and vibrancy of the art will engage young listeners even if they don’t know the works and artists being described. This is a great book to use for programming celebrating African American heritage or National Poetry Month.
Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K-8 / Oakland Unified School District