A dozen poems rooted in home, family, and the African American experience combine with a series of warm and evocative watercolors in this highly readable and attractive picture book. Thomas' easily accessible style uses simple images to communicate complicated emotions and issues, and Cooper's watercolors invite the viewer to participate in the family gatherings and ritual tea brewing that take place. The title poem is a jewel. Its opening lines draw you in: My mother says I am / Brown honey in broomwheat tea / My father calls me the sweetwater / of his days. The tangible sense of place and family found throughout the book, in both the poetry and the illustrations, makes this a strong addition to school and public library collections. (Reviewed Sept. 15, 1993)

The lyrical title poem captures the essence of the collection of twelve verses: a young African-American girl finds self-esteem and solace in her own identity. The comforting image of tea is symbolic, yet the realization that some 'have brewed a / Bitter potion for / Children kissed long by the sun,' is not dismissed. A loving tribute to family, the poems are rich in emotion; the copper, orange, and golden tones of the illustrations complement the words.

Framed by two maxims (Broomwheat tea: good for what ails you...when poured by loving hands,'' and...A cup of loving kindness/helps keep a family going''), a cycle of a dozen lyrical poems exploring issues of African-American identity through delicately interwoven images related to the tea (brown and gold: I sprang up from mother earth/She clothed me in her own colors...As you would cherish a thing of beauty/Cherish me''; bitterness:There are those who/Have brewed a/Bitter potion for/Children kissed long by the sun...''; and sweetness, too: Honey's been here long...[but] What if the bees don't come?''), and also related to growth, freedom, and family (I look across water/And cry for our trembling/Family tree''). Laden, but never overburdened, with meaning, the poetry is significant and lovely. Cooper's full-bleed paintings, with vibrant, unsentimentalized characters in earth tones illumined with gold, are warm, contemplative—a beautiful complement to Thomas's eloquence. A must. (Poetry/Picture book. 5+)"

National Book Award winner Thomas's """"lyrical"""" poems celebrate the beauty and heritage of African Americans; PW added that the illustrations """"emphasize the warmth and love that imbue the book."""" All ages. (Jan.)