Aneesa Lee and the Weaver's Gift
illustrated by Ashley Bryan
HarperCollins, 1999
ISBN: 978-0-688-15997-9

From the book

Aneesa Lee would sooner weave than anything—
A scarf in winter or lacy shawl in spring,
A band of satin ribbon for her hair,
A belt of turquoise cotton cord to wear.

Aneesa softly hums and weaves away
The minutes and the hours f of the day,
And rolls the cloth of time upon her loom
Till yards of night unfold inside her room

from Aneesa Lee And The Weaver's Gift
© 1999 by Nikki Grimes

Teaching Guides
There are teaching guides available for this book. Click here.

Reviews
"In a series of thoughtful, interlocking poems, Grimes (Meet Danitra Brown) skillfully uses the metaphor of weaving to explore the world of a talented girl. The young weaver's strands of black, white and Japanese heritage have 'produced a pleasing/living, breathing tapestry/christened Aneesa Lee.' The poet reveals Aneesa Lee's life and thoughts through the intricate patterns of her work...('a herringbone of sadness/threads of anger and gladness'; 'Her yarns express her deepest thoughts/in variegated tints'). The themes of the book—family, community, artistic vision, dedication to craft and love—build to a resonant climax...For adult weavers, the book will be a treasure, and for children, it serves as a glimpse into the intricacies not only of weaving, but the patterns of daily life. Publishers Weekly

Awards
American Bookseller Pick-of-the-List
Parents' Choice Award
A Book Links Lasting Connection Book