When Daddy Prays

When Daddy Prays

Written by Nikki Grimes, Illustrated by Tim Ladwig

Accessed October 5th, 2013

http://www.eerdmans.com/Products/5266/when-daddy-prays.aspx

Summary

Through this Christian collection of 14 poems a little boy learns about faith in God and the strength and peace that it brings through the devotion and actions of his father.

Critical Analysis

Nikki Grimes’ poetry collection When Daddy Prays centers on finding the face of God in all aspects of our life. As the protagonist watches and learns from his father’s gentle, steadfast faith in God the readers witnesses that same faith reflected in the little boy. Through Nikki Grimes lyrical poems and Tim Ladwig’s larger than life styled illustrations readers witness the boy learning that the he can rely on God in all aspects in his life - to keep his fear of the dark at bay or to even humorously remind his father to have patience after tripping over the boys discarded rollerblades. Grimes poetry shows readers that no aspect of life is too large or too small for God and that true strength comes not from standing up, but from kneeling down.

As a collection of poems, Grimes’ When Daddy Prays is beautifully balanced to reflect the issues and challenges that face a parent raising a son. A genuine mix of humor, tenderness and concern fill these poems and illustrate the challenges that families face. Thematically ranging from finding lost keys to the fear the father faces as his son walks to school through a crime filled neighborhood. When Daddy Prays is organized to flow as life flows, following the placid stretches and the turbulent rapids that appear in the journey of life.

Grimes utilizes many poetic devices throughout this collection of 14 poems. Repetition plays a strong role in Grimes’ collection, especially in the title poem “When Daddy Prays”. The phrase “when daddy prays” is repeated at the beginning and end of each stanza, rhythmically emphasizing the action of prayer. Onomatopoeia conveys sound and provides comfort as the angels whisper “hussshhh” (Gimes, pg. 7). The language in Grimes’ poems is colloquial and accurately reflective of a modern spiritual father and his young son. A consistent (though not ubiquitous) use of rhyme is employed in many of the poems in When Daddy Prays. The “weak, strong” arrangement of rhyme is more subtle than many “end rhyme” styled poems often geared towards children making When Daddy Prays appealing to children and their parents. The imagery that fills Grims’ poems is paramount. The language paints description as equally as Ladwig paints his illustrations. In the poem “Like Him” the son describes, in detail, dressing up in his father’s cloths, but seeing his potential to grow up like his daddy reflected in his play, rather than just the oversized outfit.

I shuffle down the hall, my small feet

like
 tugboats dragging the ships of his shoes.

The use of metaphor makes the imagery of this small boy more effective and the reader can’t help but see the hope and admiration in the voice of the young boy.

Ladwig’s illustrations are large, colorful double paged spreads that seem to spill over onto multiple pages. The paintings seem to gleam and large importance is placed on the expression and detail of the characters faces. The image of the father is all encompassing and the eye tends to gravitate toward this figure which is highly reflective of the boy’s admiration and aspiration to follow in both his earthly father and heavenly father’s footsteps. 

Reviews

Hornbook Guide to Children (07/01/2002):
A young boy reflects on his fathers relationship with God in fourteen poems, some tender, some humorous. Although Daddy is not perfect, his son sees him as a strong man of faith as he deals with everyday worries and joys. The mixed-media artwork focuses tightly on the idealized African-American characters, who are shown large enough to fill the page. The celebration of family and faith is touching.

Booklist (03/01/2002):
Ages 3-5. Grimes' characters aren't as realistic here as in her "Stepping Out with Grandma Mac" (2001), and Ladwig's glossy illustrations of an African American family have a greeting-card sweetness far removed from his heartrending masterpiece, "Psalm Twenty-Three" (1995). But younger kids will enjoy the blend of playfulness and faith in the pictures and the poems about a small boy's loving bond with his big, strong, gentle dad. In "Like Him" the boy tries on Daddy's clothes and then shuffles down the hall to kneel and pray with his father: "Our Father, whose heart is heaven." In "Earth Angel" the boy helps Daddy pull weeds at his gardening job, and Daddy gives thanks to the Gardener. "Bus Stop" is about Daddy's fear when the bus the boy is on is late, and his anguished thanks to the Lord when his son arrives safely. It's the gritty, humane vision as well as the reverence that will draw families to these vignettes of daily life.

School Library Journal (04/01/2002):
K-Gr 4-Brimming with love and faith, Grimes's poems celebrate a father's devotion as seen through the eyes of his child. Conversational, simple, and deeply moving, they stress the man's reliance on God in all aspects of his life. Whether cheering at a Little League baseball game, waiting anxiously at the school bus stop, comforting a feverish little boy, begging God to guard the neighborhood, or celebrating the New Year at a Watch Night service, Daddy is a fine role model and source of strength for his children. Some of the poems are lighthearted, too, as when he searches for lost keys or trips over Rollerblades lurking in the hallway. Ladwig's full-page, dynamic illustrations in gouache, gesso, and oils are interestingly lit and offer views from a variety of angles. They show a powerful, dignified African-American man at work and at home. As in the text, his obvious physical prowess contrasts tellingly with his spiritual dependence on the Lord. Poignant, beautifully expressed poems with a decidedly Christian slant.

Awards

Association of Theological Booksellers, Theologos Award for Best Children's Book (2002)

National Council of Teachers of English, Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children to Nikki Grimes (2006)

Children's Literature Council of Southern California, Distinguished Body of Work for 2002 Awarded to Nikki Grimes

Connections

Mother Teresa written and illustrated by Demi takes When Daddy Prays a step farther by illustrating how faith in God can make a lasting impression on the whole world. Demi lovingly tells the humble story of Mother Teresa and how her faith led her to live a life of service to the destitute and dying. Readers discover that through her acts of love and faith, Mother Teresa brought worldwide attention to the plight of those condemned to India’s lowest cast. Mother Theresa’s love and faith brought peace and saved the lives of many around the world and inspired a generation to expand their awareness to include those who have fallen through the cracks. Filled with Mother Theresa’s poetic prayers, readers will easily connect the two strong examples of faith from both stories and recognize the strength that comes from projecting God’s love.

References

Books In Print. Texas Woman's University. Accessed October 5th, 2013

Booklist 12/15/2001 pg. 716 (EAN 9780802851529, Hardcover)

Demi. Mother Teresa. New York, NY: Margaret K. McElderry Books: ISBN 0689864078

Grimes, Nikki.  2002. When Daddy Prays. Ill by Tim Ladwig. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. ISBN 0802851525

Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2002 pg. 458 (EAN 9780802851529, Hardcover)

School Library Journal 04/01/2002 pg. 132 (EAN 9780802851529, Hardcover)