BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grimes, Nikki. 1996. COME SUNDAY. Ill. by Michael Bryant. Michigan: Eerdmans. ISBN 0802851088
PLOT SUMMARY
COME SUNDAY is a book of poems describing a young girl’s typical Sunday at church. By the end of her day, our character views the day as “long” but is thankful for her day in “Paradise – Paradise Baptist Church.”
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The poetry included in COME SUNDAY incorporates the use of rhyming sounds but does not require it. “At the Altar” begins with the first two lines ending in rhyme: open and hopin’. The third line ends with place and the poem never ends with rhyme again. Other poems, one for example “Ladies’ Hats” utilizes rhyme throughout. Elements such as repetition and alliteration are used as well. One selection, “Baptism” begins with the repetitive words, “Down, down, down into the water” and continues with “Gone, gone, gone,” “Up, Up, Up,” and “Joy, joy, joy.” The language could best be described as descriptive. The reader can envision exactly how things looked, felt, and happened based on the author’s words. The reader can picture the blue-haired ladies pinching her cheeks, and the movement during Rock-a-my-soul like clapping, swaying, and dancing. One can even picture her anxiety for lunch as she dreams of fried chicken and pumpkin pie. Not only does the reader imagine the events but can also feel them. As a reader, you sense the excitement as she runs to church, her delight in wearing white gloves like her Mommy, and the “shiver” that takes over as she listens to the lady preacher in the afternoon. The emotions are natural and relatable. The watercolor illustrations by Michael Bryant are vivid and support the stand-alone poetry. The arrangement of poems is sequential and allows for young readers to walk-along with the girl through her day. The cultural component is enticing for students who can relate but also gives other readers a look into what an African- American Sunday might be like. It is a book with captivating pictures and language that speaks to the senses.
REVIEW EXCERPTS
KIRKUS REVIEWS –“While some of Bryant's watercolor paintings are more skilled than others, the overall effect is one of exaltation tempered by serene faith. Whatever their religious background, readers will smile at the jubilation.”
Starred review by Publishers Weekly – “Reverent, funny and wildly energetic all at the same time, this is a wonderful book for introducing children to church life.”
CONNECTIONS
*Compare to SIDEWALK CHALK: POEMS OF THE CITY by Carole Boston Weatherford
*Plan on reading another Nikki Grimes book on another day and have students bring their favorite snack to share with everyone like a potluck.
*With various common materials, have students create a hat like one that the main character would see at her church.
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