Knoxville, Tennessee Paperback by Nikki Giovanni

Giovanni’s brief poem about summertime in the rural South makes for a sunny picture book. An African American girl moves like a gentle breeze through Johnson’s lush and warmly lit oil paintings as she describes and partakes of such seasonal fare as fresh sweet corn, homemade ice cream and “lots of barbecue and buttermilk.” The very short text here forces a reliance on mood and tone, with great success. The renowned poet’s vivid writing features a graceful use of universal images and emotions that may stir the reader’s memories. Johnson’s artwork extends Giovanni’s words, depicting verdant fields in crisp contrast to white houses and dresses. A church picnic never looked so tasty. All ages.