Shadows on the wall
Noises down the hall
Life doesn't frighten me at all
Maya Angelou's brave, defiant poem celebrates the courage within each of us, young and old. From the scary thought of panthers in the park to the unsettling scene of a new classroom, fearsome images are summoned and dispelled by the power of faith in ourselves.
Angelou's strong words are matched by the daring vision of artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, whose childlike style reveals the powerful emotions and fanciful imaginings of childhood. Together, Angelou's words and Basquiat's paintings create a place where every child, indeed every person, may experience his or her own fearlessness.
In this brilliant introduction to poetry and contemporary art, brief biographies of Angelou and Basquiat accompany the text and artwork, focusing on the strengths they took from their lives and brought to their work. A selected bibliography of Angelou's books and a selected museum listing of Basquiat's works open the door to further inspiration through the fine arts.
About the Author
The beloved poet Maya Angelou was, among other things, a novelist, playwright, actress, dancer, and civil rights activist. Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat was born in Brooklyn, New York, of Haitian and Puerto Rican parents. His first artistic expressions were created and enjoyed as urban street art. His art is exhibited in over a dozen museums around the world, including the MoMA, the Met, and the Whitney.
A California-based writer/editor, internationally exhibiting fine art photographer, and former music industry attorney and artist manager, Sara Jane Boyers has returned to the world of children’s publishing with a series of photo-illustrated book projects. Her focus remains on the arts with a bit of social activism thrown in, starting with her award-winning Life Doesn’t Frighten Me, now celebrating twenty-five years in publication.
Industry Reviews
"Originally published in 1993, this children's book is still as relevant as it ever was
[...]
For the 25th anniversary of its original publishing date, Life Doesn't Frighten Me has been re-released by Abrams Books. While Angelou claimed that she wrote the poem "for all children who whistle in the dark and who refuse to admit that they're frightened out of their wits", its staying power over the past two-and-a-half decades proves it's certainly relevant for any age." Dazed Digital
"We celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Maya Angelou's book "Life Doesn't Frighten Me". Angelou's original poem, Life Doesn't Frighten Me At All, was published in 1978. In 1993 with the vision and creativity of Sara Jane Boyers the poem was paired with the work of the late American artist, Jean-Michel Basquiat renown for his poetry, music, graffiti and paintings. "In the poem, her strong words of self-confidence and strength resounded when paired with Basquiat's passionate, expressive paintings. Today, 25 years after LIFE was first published, I am so proud and pleased that readers have treasured this book all these years. LIFE was the first book that I created, inspired by the language of painting, the art of the word and the conversations they instill in each of us." Sara Jane Boyers, Editor of LIFE Doesn't Frighten Me." Maya Angelou's newsletter
