(3) K-3 Illustrated by Daniel Minter. In a series of poems that make up a collective "biography" of African American midwives, esteemed poet Greenfield begins with the women midwives kidnapped from Africa to America as slaves and moves through the generations to present day. A multi-page historical introduction, complete with photographs, offers concrete information about midwives. Minter's art is powerful and luminous, full of symbolic imagery and sinewy figures. Bib.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Ehsan Abdollahi. Greenfield presents poems from new puppy Thinker's and young owner Jace's points of view. The two philosophize about poetry and life while getting to know each other. The poems range from free verse, sometimes with well-paced internal rhyme, to more structured rhyming poems. Abdollahi's bright paper collages show a joyful, brown-skinned family, in a welcome addition to the too-small canon of lighthearted animal fantasy (and poetry) featuring children of color.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2019

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Don Tate. Greenfield's zany, free-verse picture book will make you think again about what the vegetables in your fridge might do when you go out: "par-tay!" From the piano-playing eggplant to the string bass–thumping basil, this band of crudités knows how to rock out and the fun is infectious. Tate's vibrant illustrations turn run-of-the-mill veggies into vivacious personalities for this joyful story. A "What Is a Vegetable?" discussion is appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2018

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. Following an informative introduction, poignant poems tell the story of the Great Migration of African Americans from the South to the cities of the North. Many of the pieces give voice to unnamed travelers' thoughts; Greenfield explores the heart of each person. Gilchrist's cut paper, ephemera, paint, and processed photographs create collages, adding the right air of seriousness and history to the poetry.

Reviewer: Robin L. Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2011

(3) K-3 Illustrated by George Ford. Robeson's life story is well told and expertly contextualized. Greenfield explores the many difficult issues--racism, blacklisting, death of loved ones--faced by this remarkable man. Robeson's great strengths and artistic expression are also examined. The black-and-white acrylic illustrations are subtle and beautifully shaded.

Reviewer: Miriam Steinberg-Egeth

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. This picture book celebrates how brothers get along with brothers, sisters with sisters, and various other combinations. Greenfield imagines sibling bonds throughout life, covering a range of emotions but putting most of her emphasis on loving relationships. Gilchrist's paintings are warm, uncluttered portraits of African American families.

Reviewer: Susan Dove Lempke | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2009

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. Each of these seventeen original short poems deals with war or other acts of violence and how the event affected the children who witnessed it. Despite the subject matter, many of the poems have a gentle tone. Powerful collage illustrations incorporate photographs and drawings. An author's note ties some of the poems to a specific time period and event.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. This thirtieth-anniversary edition is re-illustrated in full color by a frequent Greenfield collaborator. This timeless story of Janell and her imaginary friend Neesie is well served by the bright new illustrations of the mischievous girls at play.

Reviewer: Terri Schmitz | Horn Book Magazine Issue: February, 1976

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. Greenfield's appealing collection of old and new poems celebrates the beauty of words and encourages listeners to let their own imaginations take wing. Gilchrist's fabric collage illustrations are sometimes fuzzily reproduced on unimaginatively designed pages. Ind.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(3) PS Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. A young African-American girl describes her favorite things: going for rides in the car, laughing, the way her Southern cousin talks. This sunny poem from Greenfield's 1978 collection of the same title has been previously illustrated by Gilchrist as a sturdy-paged book for preschoolers; this picture book features new illustrations--warm, realistic artwork of the girl's family scenes.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(2) 4-6 Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. The black Americans featured here turned to the sea as a means of finding a way to get on with life "in spite of pain, grief and enormous obstacles." After introducing seven men and women who made distinguished contributions to nautical history, the engaging text profiles six twentieth-century seafarers and concludes with brief sketches of groups of individuals. Pencil drawings illustrate this fine, unusual collective biography. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2003

(3) PS Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. A young artist delights in "putting paint on paper" and creating imaginary dinosaurs inside her head. Humorous poems describe the "shoppersaurus," the "singersaurus," and the "messysaurus." Different typefaces as well as different illustration styles--watercolors for the girl and markers for the dinosaurs--distinguish between the poems about the girl's drawing process and verses about her fantasies.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(3) PS Harper Growing Tree series. Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. "Water in my fishbowl, / water on my face, / rainwater falling all over the place." This brief rhyming text introduces many of the ways a toddler encounters water, from rivers and streams to a wading pool to the sink, ending with water in the little boy's own cup. Large, sturdy card pages show an African-American boy and his parents walking in the rain, fishing, and taking a boat trip.

Reviewer: Susan Halperin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist. Poems concerning angels both visionary and embodied in human personalities offer warmth and inspiration without an overabundance of sentimentality. Gilchrist's gently sepia-toned illustrations capture with realism and sensitivity the features of African-American children and adults--and angels.

Reviewer: Henrietta M. Smith

(2) K-3 Against the backdrop of World War II, young Leanna in Chicago and her cousin Elizabeth in Washington, D.C., prepare for an Easter parade. Greenfield's lyrical prose evokes a warm tone and depth of character and circumstance. Expressive sepia-colored illustrations in oval frames become cameo photographs from the family album in this testament to family love that sustains and emboldens.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.