Come Sunday written by Nikki Grimes, illustrated by Michael Bryant

TWU course

COME SUNDAY written by Nikki Grimes

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Grimes, Nikki. 1996. COME SUNDAY. Michigan: Eerdmans. ISBN 0-8028-5108-8.

2. PLOT SUMMARY
In "COME SUNDAY" Grimes tells the story of a young Afro-American girl who describes her Sunday at Paradise Baptist Church. The main character "Latasha," is a sweet girl who enjoys attending church with her parents.    

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The illustrations are great! I like the way Grimes sketch the congregation and the colors used to represent the many different shades of Afro-Americans. The front cover illustrates Latasha as she smiles during church with her hands pressed together during prayer. My emotions are happy and understanding when reading the poem story. I can relate to Latasha and Paradise Baptist Church. Paradise Baptist Church reminds me of the church I attended when I was a young girl. Grimes gives a excellent description of everything in the church that is special to Latasha. From the morning she wakes-up with her mom until church service is over.

The poems are perfect for COME SUNDAY because the Blue-Haired Ladies, Baptism, and Church Supper tell the story of a young girl "Latasha," and Paradise Baptist Church.

Blue-Haired Ladies
We enter the church in time to greet
the pastor's wife we sometimes meet.
I curtsy, ladylike, then see
those blue-haired ladies coming for me.

Baptism
Down, down, down into the water,
preacher leaning over me.
Gone, gone, gone the fear of drowning, once my father's face I see.
Up, up, up-baptized forever!
Mommy let me make the choice.
Joy, joy, joy is what I'm feeling,
hearing pride in Daddy's voice.

Church Supper
Sundays and church suppers go together,
even better than collards and ham
and honey-glazed yams,
fried chicken and black-eyed peas,
and pumpkin pie-and I better stop
before my stomach starts to growl.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS
ALA Notable Book
California Readers Collection-elementary schools list

"In lively and delicious poetry, accompanied by evocative, full-color illustrations, Nikki Grimes recount LaTasha's Sunday adventures in Paradise--Paradise Baptist Church, that is. From rising in the morning, to greeting the blue-haired ladies at church, to the soft and powerful voice of the visiting lady preacher, the church offering, a baptism, a church supper, and finally home to bed, Grimes bring the experience of Sundays at church to life. Reverent, funny and wildly energetic all at the same time, this is a wonderful book for introducing children to church life." (PUBLISHERS WEEKLY)

"At the end of the long, joy-filled day, Latasha is sleepy and glad she spent another day in Paradise." Whatever their religious background, readers will smile at their jubilation." (KIRKUS REVIEW)

"Reading Nikki Grimes' delightful collection of poems is like taking a trip to church through  the eyes and mind of a little girl... This little girl's love of church is certainly the kind of experience many parents would hope their own children would have Come Sunday." (DETROIT FREE PRESS)

5. CONNECTIONS
*Activities for children ages five to eight.

Make biblical trading cards based on your favorite character from the book. Write down facts about the person on one side and draw a picture on the other side.

Plan a potluck dinner of kids favorite food to share. Have children sign up to bring their favorite dish (with the recipe) and share at your next meeting.

*Other engaging books of poetry
Grimes, Nikki. WHEN DADDY PRAYS. ISBN 0-8028-5152-5
Ladwig, Tim. THE LORD'S PRAYER. ISBN 0-8028-5238-6