The poet recalls the anguish of her childhood in Arkansas and her adolescence in northern slums.

A South African girl describes her pet chicken, painting special designs on her house, dressing up for school, and her mischievous brother

A Christmas poem, written for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree in 2005, celebrates the goodness of life, the value of peace, and the spirit of the season for those of all faiths.

Following World War II, a Black mother contemplates prostitution after unsuccessfully searching for a decent job and a reliable man

In the third volume of her autobiography, the writer recounts her passage into adulthood and the white world, and her initial experiences of marriage, motherhood, and show business

The African American author describes her move to New York from California, her growing involvement in the literary movement of the city, and her relationship with her son, Guy

Product Description: Maya Angelou, one of the best-loved authors of our time, shares the wisdom of a remarkable life in this best-selling spiritual classic. This is Maya Angelou talking from the heart, down to earth and real, but also inspiring. This is a book to treasured, a book about being in all ways a woman, about living well, about the power of the word, and about the power do spirituality to move and shape your life...read more

Combining reminiscences with more than sixty of her personal recipes, the acclaimed author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings reflects on important moments of her life that centered around the dinner table and presents Minnesota wild rice, biscuits, potato salad, smoked pork chops, fried meat pies, pot roast, and other favorite dishes. Reprint. 50,000 first printing.

An eloquent, inspirational, and timeless anthology of poems captures the extraordinary qualities that transcend everyday life and includes such acclaimed works as 'On the Pulse of Morning,' 'Amazing Peace,' 'A Brave and Startling Truth,' and 'Mother.' 125,000 first printing.

Product Description: A Book and CD Gift Set Grace, dignity, and eloquence have long been hallmarks of Maya Angelou’s poetry. Her measured verses have stirred our souls, energized our minds, and healed our hearts. Whether offering hope in the darkest of nights or expressing sincere joy at the extraordinariness of the everyday, Maya Angelou has served as our common voice...read more

Peter Perret, conductor of the Winston-Salem Symphony, chronicles in A Well-Tempered Mind how a brief NPR feature about music and the brain inspired him to create an innovative music education program for first- through third-graders at two elementary schools in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The musicians from his woodwind quintet taught the children to listen to music, detect the roles of the instruments, discern how music is constructed, and even compose their own music. The effects of the quintets intervention reached beyond the music classes and carried into other academic subjects as well, resulting in a significant improvement in the childrens scores on annual state tests. A Well-Tempered Mind describes how the children and musicians worked together, and explores the brain research that seeks to understand how music engages the brains cognitive capabilities ranging from memory and language and emotional processing. Perrets Bolton project inspires a host of tantalizing questions such as: Does musicphysically change the brain? Can music help kids with short attention spans, dyslexia, and other learning difficulties? Does music influence the cognitive abilities needed for reading and math? Perrets engaging and candid narrative, previously featured in Symphony Magazine, tells of a fascinating journey of discovery into the complexities and intricate workings of the human brain. Further, it opens the door to new and exciting opportunities for education, in its demonstration of how music can be a universal language that expands young minds in unforeseen ways. A Well-Tempered Mind demonstrates that by working together, we can make a difference in our children's lives and replace cultural bankruptcy with a full pocket of good music. Lord knows we need it.'

Presents a poem celebrating the wisdom and enduring love of mothers.

Living in Jamaica, 'Little C,' who is almost seven, wants to prove to his parents that he is now old enough to be called Cedric.

In Paris, France, Ren§ee Marie, who is teased for being tall, goes on a school field trip to the Eiffel Tower, where she faces her fear of heights.