A picture book with an inviting cover draws the reader in to a book containing vivid collage illustrations and disappointing text.  A poem tells this story of a girl and her father and their visit to the Harlem home of Langston Hughes.  The simple text fluctuates between rhyming and non-rhyming sequences that contribute to a disjointed read.  It is difficult to determine the meter and rhythm intended by the author, making the book a clumsy read aloud. 

The noteworthy illustrations in watercolor and collage reveal multiple textures, and the artist incorporates black and white images on many pages creating contrast.  The use of color is widespread and liberal in cool and warm hues.  The artist’s collage technique fills each page to overflowing, offering a bounty of small detail that may be overwhelming to some viewers of the work.  Selected pages are reminiscent of the I SPY books in their numerous details.  The visual elements are asymmetrically composed, with object dominance given to the human forms of the father and daughter.  The images project a sense of love and togetherness noted by the loving gestures between father and daughter.  “From the glowing vitality of the little girl, to the vivid scenes of jazz-age Harlem…the viewer’s eye is constantly drawn to intriguing bits and pieces while never losing the sense of the whole.” (Kirkus Reviews, February 1, 2002)  VISITING LANGSTON was a 2003 Coretta Scott King illustrator award honor book.   

The author’s attempt to create a picture book about the poet Langston Hughes is admirable, yet this book misses the mark.  Designed for ages 4 to 8, this book is not recommended by this reviewer.