Poetry

A beginning reader bonanza

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Dino Poet: a graphic novel by Tom Angleberger (Harry N. Abrams, 96 pages, grades 1-4). When a Coelophysis takes a break from writing poetry to have a froggy snack, the frog in question tells him that he hates his poem. The frog then proceeds to give the dinosaur poetry pointers, like how to express his emotions and use his senses to perceive the world. Desperate not to be eaten, the frog introduces different forms of poetry like limericks and speed haiku, while both creatures keep a sharp lookout for larger dinosaurs who may want to consume them both. The frog is so successful that by the end, the Coelophysis calls him a friend, refuses to eat him, and gets him his own notebook and pen so that they can write together.

Always expect the unexpected with Tom Angleberger, as evidenced by this book which is short for a graphic novel, long for a picture book, and has the unlikely premise of two animals from different eras becoming friends and writing poetry together. I love the way it introduces poetry and gently (and humorously) encourages kids to try their own. The simple collage art and the photo of art supplies at the beginning may also inspire readers in their artistic endeavors.

The Truth About the Tooth Fairy (Miriam’s Magical Creature Files book 1) by Leah Cypess, illustrated by Sarah Lynne Reul (Harry N. Abrams, 112 pages, grades 1-3). 6-year-old Miriam is the youngest of three siblings, slightly jaded about things her family tells her, and a firm believer in testing them out to find out if they’re true or not. For instance, after being told, “Sugar makes you hyper,” she eats a lot of it at a birthday party and feels fine. So when she realizes she has her first loose tooth, Miriam is ready to find out if the tooth fairy is real. Her methodology involves staying up and catching her parents in the act. Does she succeed? Readers will have to draw their own conclusions, but whatever they decide, they can look forward to book 2, The Discovery of Dragons, coming in August.

Miriam is a spunky and smart protagonist, part of an Orthodox Jewish family whose traditions are woven into the story and illustrations. The book resembles a scrapbook, with Miriam’s lists, charts, notes, and drawings on what looks like paper torn from a notebook. Fans of Junie B. Jones and other feisty early elementary narrators will enjoy this beginning chapter book.

The Bad Idea and Other Stories (Earl and Worm book 1) by Greg Pizzoli (Knopf Books for Young Readers, 72 pages, ages 4-8). In the classic style of such literary friendships as Elephant and Piggie, Frog and Toad, Frank and Bean, Beak and Ally, etc., Worm is a grumpy introvert who initially is annoyed by early bird Earl who gives friendly greetings and plays music for his plants first thing in the morning. The second chapter sees Worm getting increasingly annoyed by what she perceives as Earl’s copying her good ideas about home decor. When she tries to trick Earl by telling him about an outlandish plan to paint the outside of her house, Earl surprises her by painting it for her, leaving her with a house she doesn’t like and the realization that the whole thing was a bad idea. Earl’s persistent cheerfulness slowly wins over Worm, and by the third chapter, Worm is committed enough to their friendship to write a poem that celebrates it.

I’m a pretty big Greg Pizzoli fan, and, while I personally feel this whole introvert/extrovert friendship theme in early readers is a little tired, Pizzoli does an excellent job of creating two fun characters and three funny stories, particularly the one about the bad idea. I love the illustrations, especially the way Worm is portrayed doing all sorts of tasks without any limbs. Try this out on fans of some of the series mentioned above.

Poetry to celebrate Black History

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Girls on the Rise by Amanda Gorman, illustrated by Loveis Wise (Viking Books for Young Readers, 32 pages, ages 5-9). “We are girls on the rise./Today, everyone’s eyes/Are on us as we make waves/Pave the way, and save the day. Today, we finally have a say.” With simple rhymes and lush illustrations, this book celebrates girls of all types, encouraging them to support and empower each other through difficult times. Girls are celebrated for being strong and brave enough to right wrongs in the world. “Because when one girl is on the rise,/It means everyone else is, too.”

Dream a Dress, Dream a Poem: Dressmaker and Poet Myra Viola Wilds by Nancy Johnson James, illustrated by Diana Ejaita (Harry N. Abrams, 32 pages, ages 5-8). This book-length poem encourages readers to dream, citing the dreams of Myra Viola Wilds, a Black woman who grew up in Kentucky before moving to the city to get an education. She became an accomplished dressmaker until the close work damaged her eyes. Myra didn’t give up on her creative dreams, though, turning from sewing to poetry and publishing a book of her poems in 1915. The back matter includes additional biographical information and a photo, and the book begins and ends with two of Myra’s poems.

Both of these poetry books celebrate following dreams and lifting each other up. Amanda Gorman’s work speaks to these themes in general terms, while Nancy Johnson James offers a story of a woman who succeeded despite multiple hardships and was supported by the Black community that helped publish her work.

Both of these books would be excellent for celebrating Black History Month; if you’re looking for more resources, I have recently updated my Black History book list.

Beloved authors

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Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris, illustrated by Gordon C. James (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 40 pages, grades 2-5). Books were a lifeline to young James Baldwin, growing up in Depression-era Harlem with a mother, stepfather, and eight siblings. Reading and writing helped him escape from his strict preacher stepfather and the racism he encountered all around him, particularly from the police. Words led Jimmy to preach his own sermons about love and acceptance, and they gained him admission to a prestigious high school, where he got to explore literature, film, and theater. The story follows Jimmy to Paris and ends with the publication of Go Tell It on the Mountain. Includes additional information about Baldwin, notes from the author and illustrator, and a list of sources.

And She Was Loved: Toni Morrison’s Life In Stories by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Daniel Mintner (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 48 pages, grades 2-5). The author’s note begins, “This narrative is a love letter to an outspoken sparrow who transformed lives through her storytelling.” Her ode to Toni Morrison weaves biographical information into a celebration of the writer’s life and work. The phrase “And she was loved” appears in many illustrations, as the text describes the love given to her by her parents, her children, and her readers, in a narrative that moves from her childhood in Ohio to her college days at Howard University to her life as an editor, writer, and mother to a celebrated winner of the Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes and the Presidential Medal. In addition to the author’s note, the back matter includes an illustrator’s note, a photo of Morrison, a timeline, a list of selected works (including children’s books), and a list of sources.

Both of these biographies celebrate the lives and contributions of Black authors and offer inspiration to young writers. The illustrations in the books are striking, both by Caldecott honorees, with the potential for more awards consideration. These are books that may need a fair amount of introduction, as kids are unlikely to be familiar with either author.

Creature features

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Narwhal: Unicorn of the Arctic by Candace Fleming, illustrated by Deena So’Oteh (Anne Schwartz Books, 48 pages, grades 1-5). Narrated in second person (“Scientists call you unicorn of the Arctic”), the text tells the story of a narwhal, starting in the Arctic, where he and another male joust with their tusks before slipping under the ice into the sea. When the weather turns warm, the narwhal pod migrates to summer grounds; by September, it’s time to return to the Arctic. Dangers lurk, with orcas and polar bears hunting the narwhals and a sudden blizzard blocking the air hole in the ice. If the narwhal survives, he will make the journey back and forth for fifty years. Includes two pages of additional information and a bibliography.

As she did in Giant Squid, Honeybee, and Polar Bear, Candace Fleming has crafted an exciting nonfiction narrative that teaches kids a lot about a fascinating animal, while keeping the pages turning with plenty of adventure. I was disappointed at first that Eric Rohmann didn’t do the illustrations, but debut illustrator Deena So’Oteh did a magnificent job that deserves both Caldecott and Sibert consideration.

Beware the Dragon and the Nozzlewock: A Graphic Novel Poetry Collection Full of Suprising Characters! by Vikram Madan (Wordsong, 128 pages, grades 2-5). This madcap collection of poems features a wild and crazy cast of characters, such as ghost guppies, squishosaurs, and the salesmoose. Making multiple appearances throughout the book is the fearsome Nozzlewock, about whom a group of children is repeatedly warned, and from whom they have to ultimately save their teacher. There’s a bunch of crazy science going on, too, from laboratory shenanigans to wormholes, which in the end helps the kids rescue the teacher. Many of the characters reappear from time to time, adding to the fun and continuity of this poetry collection.

This would be a great introduction to poetry for those who may not consider themselves fans of the genre. The poems are hilarious, and the graphic novel format will appeal to all kinds of readers.

Two books about Palestine

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A Map for Falasteen by Maysa Odeh, illustrated by Aliaa Betawi (Henry Holt and Co., 40 pages, ages 4-8). When Falasteen’s teacher invites students to look at a map and share where their families are from, Falasteen can’t find her family’s homeland, Palestine. At home that afternoon, she tells her grandparents what happened and asks why Palestine isn’t on the map. Her grandfather, Jido, draws her a map and tells her that her teacher needs teaching, while Teta tells Falasteen how soldiers forced her and her children from their home and shows her the key to their old house she has kept all these years. When Falasteen asks her mother about it at bedtime, Mama tells her that “sometimes people live in countries and sometimes countries live in people,” and that Palestine lives in each of their hearts. She promises Falasteen that one day they will be able to visit their homeland. Includes an author’s note telling of her own family’s experiences being displaced from their home in Palestine in 1967, as well as a concise history of Palestine from 1948 to the present.

Maysa Odeh tells a compelling story that shows readers the history of Palestine, both through Falasteen’s story and her author’s note. Each of Falasteen’s family members adds a different element to the narrative, and Odeh’s personal story creates another layer. I felt like Mama’s speech could have been edited a bit for length (more power to her for having that much energy at bedtime), but at the same time it is incredibly moving and stirring.

Although it’s not a children’s book, I want to mention another new Palestinian book coming out this week, If I Must Die: Poetry and Prose by Refaat Alareer (OR Books, 288 pages). Refaat Alareer was a Palestinian poet and professor who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in December 2023 at the age of 44. After his death his poem, “If I Must Die” went viral. There is currently a campaign to make his book a best-seller by pre-ordering it before Tuesday.

How to move on

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Mistakes That Made Us: Confessions from Twenty Poets by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mercè López (Carolrhoda Books, 40 pages, grades 2-5). Twenty children’s poets reveal mistakes they made as kids and the lessons they learned from them. Some are funny, like Darren Sardelli’s glue on the toilet seat prank that ultimately made him a little less impulsive, others are more poignant, like Kim Rogers’ silence when she, a Native girl, was made to participate in the Land Run reenactment at her Oklahoma elementary school. And many of them, like scoring a goal for the other team or cutting your hair due to peer pressure are things that readers will relate to, whether they are children or adults. Each poem is accompanied by a paragraph in which the author tells a little more about the incident and what they learned from it.

These would make great writing prompts for kids to explore their own mistakes and what they learned from them. They’re also just fun to read and realize that we all share similar experiences, and the best thing to do when a mistake is made is to admit it, ask for forgiveness if necessary, and move on.

How to Pee Your Pants*: *The Right Way by Rachel Michelle Wilson (Feiwel and Friends, 32 pages, ages 3-6). It happens: you get caught up in what’s going on in class, you drink too much lemonade at lunch, or maybe you fall asleep, and the tried-and-true methods of crossing legs or holding your breath fail you. So what happens when you pee your pants? The owl protagonist offers some humorous ideas, including hiding the evidence, calling for help, or shooting a rocket into space in the hope that an alien will stop by with some dry clothes. If you find yourself in the embarrassing position of having to sit on bubble wrap while waiting for a change, remember that adults may have forgotten what it’s like to pee your pants (they’ll remember in a few years). The number one (pardon the expression) rule is this: if you come across someone else in a similar situation, remember to be the friend that you wish you had when you peed your pants.

We’ve all been there (and reading this book, you’ll realize you may be there again some day), and this funny and reassuring look will help kids get past what can be a humiliating experience, and remind everyone to be kind if it happens to someone else.

Two books from Eerdmans

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Long-time subscribers may recall that a few years ago I reviewed a book every week from an independent publisher. I haven’t kept up with it recently, but a few of those publishers still reach out to me from time to time. I recently received these two excellent books from Eerdmans Books for Young Readers. They are a great reminder of the unique and beautiful work being produced by smaller publishers. Both books will be released in September.

Counting Winter by Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrated by Claudia McGhee (44 pages, ages 4-8). Nancy White Carlstrom drew on her eighteen years in Alaska to create this counting book that includes eleven different animals, with verses written in similar fashion: “One red fox walks/across the white snow/quietly/stalking winter.” These could be used as models for kids to write their own four-line poems about animals with a similar combination of verbs, adverbs, and adjectives. The stunning scratch board and watercolor illustrations perfectly capture the animals and the snowy landscapes. When the counting reached eleven, I started to think it was going all the way to twenty, but the last page features twelve excited children, which was the perfect stopping place. Includes a wordless two page spread showing all the animals, two pages of animal profiles, and notes from the author and illustrator.

Fast Cheetah, Slow Tortoise: Poems of Animal Opposites by Bette Westera and Mies van Hout, illustrated by David Colmer. (40 pages, grades K-4). This Dutch import pairs animal poems that illustrate antonyms; a two-page spread features the tortoise in a poem entitled “Slow” with the cheetah, which is “Fast.” Others are noisy and quiet (cricket and pill bug), relaxed and busy (sloth and ant), and bossy and meek (gorilla and lesula). As this last example shows, there are some animals that may be new to kids. Each poem is accompanied by an illustration, which will help kids visualize those unfamiliar animals. This would be fun to share by reading a poem and having kids guess the animal and maybe the antonym as well. Unfortunately, there’s no back matter that could have offered more information on the animals.

Halloween is coming!

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Trick or Treat on Scary Street by Lance Bass, illustrated by Roland Garrigue (Union Square Kids, 40 pages, ages 4-8). A kid dressed in a wolf costume leads a pack of trick-or-treaters down Scary Street. Although he assures them that, “You’re safe and sound on Scary Street,” the houses all seem to be occupied by monsters like a vampire, witch, and ghost. The last house is a doghouse, and the narrator appears to transform into a real wolf by the light of the full moon. Just when thinks are getting really creepy, he opens the door to reveal a rocking Halloween Disco, with monsters and kids alike enjoying the chance to dance together.

I don’t usually review celebrity authors, but due to the fact that I was particularly uncool through the 1990’s, I didn’t recognize the name of former NSYNC member Lance Bass. I give him credit, though, he’s put together a fun Halloween book with some bouncy rhymes and a creepy parade down Scary Street. The illustrations are just the right combination of scary and funny, and kids are sure to enjoy this Halloween book.

Into the Goblin Market by Vikki VanSickle, illustrated by Jensine Eckwall (Tundra Books, 48 pages grades 1-5). While Millie is happy staying home on the farm with her books, her sister Mina is bored and longs for adventure. One night, Mina sneaks out to the goblin market in town. When Millie discovers her sister is missing, she studies up on how to outwit goblins, packs a few things, and heads to the market. There, the wily goblins try to ensnare her, but Millie is prepared and manages to escape their tricks. When the sun is about to rise, she tries to leave, but the goblins tell her she has to buy something before they’ll let her go. She decides on the wolf that’s been guarding them, even though the goblins scream at her that it’s not for sale. Returning home, the wolf gradually changes shape into Mina, and the two sisters prepare to live happily ever after.

I’m excited to try this book out on my fourth and fifth graders, having already read Jon Klassen’s The Skull to most of them at Halloween last year. The rhyming text (inspired by the Christina Rossetti poem “The Goblin Market”) is catchy, and the gothic-style black and white illustrations with just a touch of red are delightfully creepy. Most reviewers are recommending this for ages 4-8, but personally I think it would be better received by a slightly older audience.

Poetry for scientists

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A Planet Is a Poem by Amanda West Lewis, illustrated by Oliver Averill (Kids Can Press, 40 pages, grades 2-5). An introduction explains that a planet is a poem, and a poem is a planet, setting the stage for the integration of science and poetry. There’s a poem for each planet, as well as for the sun (but, surprisingly, not the moon), the Kuiper Belt, Arrokoth (an object located in the Kuiper Belt), and one for future astronomers. Each poem is on a page that unfolds to a gatefold that contains additional information on both the subject of the poem and the poetic form, with illustrations that expand as well. It’s a clever concept that educates about both planets and poetry, but I’m hesitant to get this for my library, knowing how even one gatefold page tends to get destroyed pretty quickly. Back matter includes information about writing your own poem, with facts about Planet X to serve as possible inspiration; a glossary of space terms; and a list of sources and resources.

The City Sings Green & Other Poems About Welcoming Wildlife by Erica Silverman, illustrated by Ginnie Hsu (Clarion Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). In a dozen poems, Erica Silverman describes projects around the world where a single person or small group has made a difference with conservation. Each poem is spread over two or three pages, accompanied by colorful illustrations and a paragraph describing the project. From rewilding the playground in Los Angeles to cleaning a beach and restoring a sea turtle habitat in India to creating a bee “highway” in Norway, these projects will inspire kids to find ways to make a difference. With plenty of resources in the back, this would make a great starting place for a unit on ecology that might inspire hands-on projects.

You might not know it, but these two are poets

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Amazing Animals from A to Z by Cece Bell (Walker Books, 64 pages, grades K-4). In her introduction, Cece Bell writes of her love of animal albums, a collection she’s acquired through the years by scouring thrift shops and antique malls. The heyday of these albums was the 1940’s through the 1980’s, when artistic differences (and toileting issues) between the animals and their human producers led to the industry’s demise. Cece has compiled an A-Z collection of her albums, with the lyrics to a song from each, from “My Aromatic Armpit Is Astonishing to All” by armadillo accordion player Arnie Dillow to “You Snooze, You Ooze” by the Zydeco Zebras. Amazingly, a QR code allows readers to listen to a recording of every song in the book. An “About the Artists” section rounds out the collection, with a paragraph about each musician or band.

This incredibly original, creative, and funny book will have kids laughing and rocking out as they enjoy the animal musicians both on the page and on their phones. I confess that the introduction was so convincing that for a second there I thought such albums actually existed. At the other end of the book, I had a brief moment of concern when I noticed that Tom Angleberger isn’t included in the “About the Author” information, but a quick trip to Wikipedia assured me that children’s literature’s favorite wacky couple is still together.

Poetry Comics by Grant Snider (Chronicle Books, 96 pages, grades 2-5). And speaking of favorites, everyone’s favorite orthodontist-by-day-illustrator (and now poet)-by-night has produced a fun and appealing collection of poems, illustrated comic-style. Divided by season, both the poems and the illustrations are brief meditations on nature, school, and life, both funny and profound. The poems are one to two pages, divided into comic book squares, with a line or two in each box, and illustrated with simple figures and backgrounds.

These would make an excellent introduction to poetry for the primary grades. Older students, even middle schoolers, might enjoy trying their hands at poetry comics of their own. All in all, this is a fun and accessible introduction to poetry.