Nikki Grimes

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• Difficult childhood (1:00)

  Nikki Grimes spent much of her childhood in and out of foster homes, an experience that would influence her future writing.

• Invisible reader (1:30)

  Nikki Grimes talks about why it is important for children to see themselves reflected in books.

• What is Goodbye? (2:20)

  In this book, Nikki Grimes approached a topic that many children's publishers shied away from: grief and death.

• Slipping past the intellect (1:20)

  Nikki Grimes explains how the magic and power of poetry can sneak up on unsuspecting readers.

• Open to possibilities (1:15)

  A world traveler herself, Nikki Grimes describes the perspectives that people gain when they have contact with other countries and cultures.

• Danitra's a character (1:10)

  Danitra Brown is such a believable character that kids think she's a real person.

• Marginalizing multicultural books (3:15)

  Nikki Grimes points out how teachers and librarians, without realizing it, often marginalize books by African American, Hispanic, and Asian authors.

• Poetry vs. castor oil (2:20)

  In this video clip, Nikki Grimes suggests ways that teachers can present poetry to students in fun ways.