Nikki spoke briefly sharing her thoughts about poetry, what it is, what it does, and wove together readings of some of her poems from WHAT IS GOODBYE, WHEN DADDY PRAYS, and her newest book-length poem, WELCOME, PRECIOUS. Nearly 500 people were in attendance, including two dozen OTHER authors and poets-quite an auspicious occasion. We officially presented the award to Nikki Grimes, the fourteenth recipient of the honor, at the Books for Children luncheon yesterday. At this year’s conference, I have the privilege of co-chairing the committee that bestows the Excellence in Poetry for Children award. I’ve been involved in this organization in many different capacities over the years, particularly within the Children’s Literature Assembly, a sub-group of NCTE-that’s an especially wonderful and dedicated group of people. I just realized I’ve been coming to this conference for 25 years! Geeze, that’s a long time! This is one of my favorite events, bringing together teachers, authors, publishers, and all kinds of lovers of books. He has won five more Coretta Scott King Awards and three Coretta Scott King Honors.Greetings from Nashville, Tennessee, where I am attending the annual convention of the National Council of Teachers of English.

His first book, Uptown, won the Coretta Scott King Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Award. He has won four Caldecott Honors for Rosa by Nikki Giovanni, Martin's Big Words by Doreen Rappaport, Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews, and Dave the Potter by Laban Carack Hill. He began painting at the age of 15 and eventually landed a scholarship to attend Pratt Institute in New York.

He has successfully channeled his creative energy and love of art into an illustrious career as a children's book illustrator and writer. Visit her online at Bryan Collier loves to paint. She won the 2006 NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Nikki is also the author of four other Coretta Scott King Honor books: TALKIN' ABOUT BESSIE, JAZMIN'S NOTEBOOK, THE ROAD TO PARIS, and DARK SONS. Nikki Grimes won a 2014 Coretta Scott King Honor for WORDS WITH WINGS, and she is the author of BRONX MASQUERADE, which won the Coretta Scott King Award.

Welcome precious by nikki grimes