Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon

we don have no backyard
frontyard neither...

Who needs a backyard when you've got brownstone steps, double dutch, and freeze tag beneath the sizzling summer sun?

The jingling bell of the ice cream truck mingles with laughter and side walk rhymes. Frosty lemonade from the corner store and tight cornrows beat the heat with style. There's nothing like summer time in the city when you've got your friends, family, and imagination to keep you company.

Ruth Forman, whose work has been honored by the American Library Association, offers a poetic testament to childhood, language, and play. Cbabi Bayoc's richly hued paintings brings to life the streets of South Philadelphia to vivid life. Young Cornrows Callin Out the Moon is a celebration of city summer memories, and of African American culture and community.

Ruth Forman is a prize-winning poet, author, and friend of words. She still loves to sit on brownstone steps and her favorite time is summer dusk, right after dinner when the air is still warm and indigo gently kisses us into the night. She lives in Los Angeles.

Cbabi Bayoc is a fine artist and illustrator whose artwork reflects his love of music and family. His paintings can be found in galleries and homes around the world. He lives in St. Louis with his wife and children.