Take Off Your Brave: The World through the Eyes of a Preschool Poet. Poems by Nadim (age 4) with illustrations by Yasmeen Ismail. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2022. $23.99 ages 4 and up

"My Lonely Garden 

It's peaceful:
Calm. 
Especially when 
There are bugs flying around in the sun
And I get to just be thinking
On my nice blue bench
And all I can feel on my back is sunshine
And all I get to do is look at the beautiful plants and things
And do whatever I want 
In my garden. 

This book shares one young child's understanding of his world, and is prefaced with a note from Nadim's mother explaining how this book came to be. The rest of it is filled with the thoughts of a four-year-old in poetic form. It is not like most poetry we read in books for children. Yet, it is absolutely representative of how young children view the world from their own perspective, and it is quite magical.  

The poems are framed by wide variety in topic and observation. Each one shares space with mixed media illustrations that enhance meaning and provide context for readers. They are as imaginative as the poems written for this fine collection. Included are a few collaborations with his sister, his teacher, even his preschool class. 

Nadim began, at 4, responding to his mom's cues with ideas of his own. She put his words to paper, and read them back to him. After a period of time, he offered his own words and ideas for his mom to scribe for him. As she wrote, she inserted the line breaks whenever he stopped or took a longer breath. Now, he can write them on his own. 

Here's a quote from his mother:

"When he first started he was still learning to write, so he orated them to me and I wrote them down word-for-word as he spoke them. Later he began to write them himself.” 

Nadim's words are proof that four-year-children have their own world view. His poems reflect that. He talks about many things: his best friend, a magic box, love, his dream school, his teacher, being on a train. Life is full for little ones. Nadim willingly shares his observations, and shows that poetry can be for everyone.