This article offers a brief biography of Nikki Grimes, who is fast becoming one of the most prolific and versatile African American poets for children of this time. She takes risks in her work and brings readers humor, pathos and sensitive views of life as she has lived and seen it. Born in Harlem, NY, on October 20, 1957, Nikki was sent to live in a foster home when she was six years old. It was in a foster home where she wrote her first poem, and where she first discovered the healing power of books. "For me," she says, "poetry is a literature of brushstrokes. The poet uses a few choice words, placed just so, to paint a picture, evoke an emotion, or capture a moment in time." She advises students who want to write poetry to read all forms of poetry, as she believes that each form has something to teach.