Here are more poetry books that have been recently published. These are all picture books which are filled with rhymes or free verse with elegant and eloquent language richly composed to elevate the mind and senses. These books are good for all ages except for the last book, which is appropriate for younger children.
Come On In: There’s a Party in this Book!, by Jamie Michalak and ingeniously illustrated using still life and photography by Sabine Timm, has to be one of the most clever books of the year. Written in rhyme, a lonely lemon is knocking on the door awaiting a party. But he is told the critters are just playing a game where we can’t touch the floor. Lemon, keep lookin. Try the next door. When he finds none, what does Lemon do? With the reader’s help Lemon creates his own party. All items on every page have been photographed and created to look anthropomorphic. There’s even a die-cut hole on the cover for Lemon to peek through.
Push-Pull Morning: Dog-Powered Poems About Matter and Energy, by Lisa Westberg Peters and delightfully illustrated reflecting each poem using ink then digitally colored by Serge Bloch, is a perfect introduction to physics and gravity and applying these elements in getting a new pet. These nineteen poems teach the basics in science that kids can easily relate through these simple yet powerful poems. Some of the subjects learned include electricity, friction, and magnetism. The notes found at the back of the book are especially effective following up on what each poem taught.
Mouse Calls, by Anne Marie Pace and brightly illustrated rendered in wooden prints and digital collage by Erin Kraan, begins with a threat of a rainstorm, so Mouse sets out to alert her friends. The rhyming text is simple with few repeating words on each page making this a perfect book for new readers. Mouse calls Moose. (New page). Moose calls Goose. The story continues in this format. The animals are adorable especially Mouse.
Trees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves, by Sally M. Walker and beautifully illustrated in gouache by Angela Mckay, is the perfect celebration of the essence of life and trees! What better way to keep the majesty and importance of trees to a few simple words written in haiku? This keeps the focus on nature and natural beauty of trees. Covered with gray fur / pussywillow catkins cling / kittens on slim twigs. Be sure to check out the information found at the back of the book. This book is brilliant!
Boom! Bellow! Bleat! Animal Poems for Two or More Voices, by Georgia Heard and digitally illustrated with bold colors by Aaron DeWitt, is unique in the way two or more can enjoy reading these poems together. There are poems about different types of sounding frogs, geese, fish and more. The first and last poems are perhaps the most fun poems to perform. In the first poem, Animal Songs, sixteen animals make a simple sound. The last poem, Forest Orchestra, can be performed all at once or individually. Additional facts and information about the animals can be found at the back of the book.
The Dream Train: Poems for Bedtime, by Sean Taylor and gorgeously illustrated on open-page spreads with mixed media, by Anuska Allepuz, is an over-sized book with one poem featured on each open-page. The font is large, and each poem has few stanzas. The color backing each poem is glorious and rich. Each poem centers around night and bedtime with subjects that vary from story time to the quiet of the night. The book is sectioned into three parts: Night Arrives, Shut-Your-Eyes and Dream Wheels Turning. I especially liked the last poem which rang true to me.
How Many Squirrels are in the World?, by Ben Gundersheimer and digitally illustrated by Almada Rivero, is not only a rhyming story but a counting one as well.
This darling story features a little girl and her cute small dog as she attempts to locate and count these scurrying animals. As this youngster searches for squirrels in her yard, more and more appear. A colorful number on each page is found as she counts furry animals in trees, on fences and even clothes lines. There are also interesting facts found at the back of the book.
Where I Live: Poems About My Home, My Street, and My Town, selected by Paul B. Janeczko and beautifully illustrated using colored pencil and watercolor by Hyewon Yum, is a celebration of some of the best poems that are about Home, Street and Town. Each poem creates a comfy feeling of everyday life for a child. In Ode to a Sprinkler, by Gary Soto, you can almost hear and feel the water spraying on the wet grass during a hot sunny day. Crickets, by Myra Cohn Livingston, is simple yet clever and I’m betting by poem’s end their song is in your head. This book is a must for every family’s enjoyment!
Be Wild, Little One, by Olivia Hope and richly colored filling every open-page by Daniel Egneus, celebrates life with this gorgeously told story in simple lyrical verse. Make the world / your own playground. / Fill it with a noisy sound. / Stomp and stamp, / clap and cheer. Sing your song for all to hear! Many Wild animals are portrayed as a young girl ventures through life. This would be a great book for children, ages three to six, on the verge of new beginnings.
