Primary/Junior (Gr. 3-5) (starred review) "... cousin to "Poetry Speaks to Children"... editor Giovanni states, "Poetry with a beat. That's hip hop... "... goes on to link hip-hop to grand opera and present a capsule history of African American vernacular music... features a wide-ranging selection of 51 entries, plus a CD with new or previously released recorded versions of 29, some with music... poets range from Langston Hughes and W. E. B. DuBois to Kanye West, Mos Def, and Queen Latifah. In keeping with hip-hop tradition, many... selections are self-referential; others take on... topics from Gwendolyn Brooks' celebration of "Aloneness" to James Berry's inspirational "People Equal."... on the CD, some presentations are straight readings... others evoke jazz, rap, pop, and field- or pulpit-style chanting. Although created by 5 illustrators, the art shares both vibrant colors and a dancing, free-spirited look that matches the... tone of the poetry. With appeal for preliterate children... great-grandparents, and (everyone) between... fun... to share... Appended notes tell more about the contributors." - Booklist, Sept 15/08.

Audio CD in pocket inside front cover.