Poem in My Pocket, written by Chris Tougas and illustrated by Josee Bisaillon. Kids Can Press, 2021. $17.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Scribbled thoughts were scattered -
there were letters here and there. 
Mixed-up words were whipped about 
and mingled in midair. 

Big and little letters 
formed some super silly puns. 
Playful words made playful rhymes. 
Their fun had just begun!"

This young lady is a writer with a pocketful of poetic words, until the pocket tears and the words fall out. In the wind, they blow hither and yon. Not only are the words scattered about; the letters within them scramble and the words become almost unrecognizable. Readers will have fun putting the letters in correct order. 

As they scatter, the words begin to find their way to making 'punny' connections that are a great deal of fun: Diner-mite, Souper Hero, Anything is Popsicle, Poultry in Motion, Squeeze the day ... 

The poet makes a valiant effort to capture them and finally manages to corral each one. Her work is cut out for her as she tries to reconstruct her original poem. Impossible it seems! Hard work is beginning to pay off when another wind whips them up all over again. Rain pours down, burying them in the wet ground. The poem in her pocket may be gone; the result of all the mayhem is quite magical. 

I love the way Chris Tougas celebrates language here, and shows his readers what is possible using only 26 letters, scrambled or not. The digital artwork is colorful, full of movement, and allows a clear look at the appealing wordplay.