The Mighty Macy, written by Kwame Alexander, with illustrations by Kitt Thomas. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2026. $20.99 ages 8 and up

 

"A World of Words

Our school library 
is a house
of hope
an imagination park
an opportunity store
a treasure chest
and right now
Blue and I 
don't have the key 
to get inside
this world of wonder
because when we arrive
there's a sign on the door
that says ... 

CLOSED

Oh, I love Macy, her family, her friends, and her librarian. And ... I love that she loves books, especially the new Mighty Zora series. In fact, the first sign of trouble happens when she gets to the school library with her friend Blue to borrow the second book in that series. There is a note of apology from Ms. Coopeer saying the library is closed, due to budget cuts. Macy can't believe her eyes when that news is shared. 

Kwame Alexander is such an exceptional poet and writer; here, here he proves it all over again. Through music and poetry, he shares Macy's ups and downs. There are many wonderful moments with her family, including some with her brother JoJo that often annoy her. Dad is a poet, who must travel at times to  present his work to others. His absence is felt deeply by Macy as she prepares for a violin recital which she hopes he will be able to attend, and to speak up at the school board meeting about the importance of Ms. Cooper and her library. 

Her mom is ever supportive while Dad is gone, encouraging Macy to have a say on behalf of all of the students and knowing she can do it. Hidden poems Dad has left for her to find while he is gone also help her with the tasks at hand. Her resilience and bravery hold her in good stead for speaking out about the importance of the library. When the time comes, Macy is as ready as she can be. She creates a symphony from the words of her friends who have important things to say about the value of the library in their lives. Here are a few excerpts: 

The library 
is almost 
as good as 
Grandma's house. 

When I read 
in the library 
I forget 
I'm at school. 

One time 
I found 
a book and 
the boy in it 
looked 
just like me.

Everything that Macy deals with will find empathy with readers. Who she is, and what she is able to do, has everything to do with her family, friends, and the community who come together for the greater good of all. Kwame Alexander is an incomparable poet whose books resonate with readers of all ages. I am so happy to have met Macy, and am highly anticipating meeting her again at some future date. 

Mother Boo: Poems from Spookytown, written by Vicki VanSickle and illustrated by Jennica Lounsbury. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 4 and up

 

"Ugga bugga baby
smells like garbage in the sun, 
smother her with kisses
on her ugga bugga tum. 

My ugga bugga baby
is as perfect as can be, 
together we're the picture 
of a perfect family."

Thinking ahead to October and Halloween, looking for a new book to add to your collection? You might want to consider Mother Boo. A touch of spooky and poetry that makes Halloween a part of every day of the year, this collection of verse welcomes readers to Spookytown and voices poems that are sweet and wide-ranging. 

Mother Boo is the ghostly figure who watches over all those living in Spookytown, taking care of them always and even saving them when the event warrants such action. She will be there whenever someone cries "Boo-hoo!", and on the many other occasions when her help is needed ... happy or sad. A poem about flying witches explains that it is their cat's tails that carry the magic that makes the flying happen. There is also a countdown to Halloween, a description of the variety in moons from month to month throughout the year, a werewolf dance that may seem quite spooky until Mama returns with a warm hug. 

The poetry is presented in many styles which is worthy of respect from all who share this book. The digital art was created with colored pencils and Photoshop, and matches the fall setting in orange, black, green, gold and white. It's great fun at Halloween; but suits the interest of many at any time of the year. 
                                                                                          

Mary Oliver, Holding On To Wonder, written by Erin Frankel and illustrated by Jasu Hu. Calkins Creek, Astra. Penguin Random House, 2025. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"But what Mary really wanted to know
was how to take this place with her - 
wherever she might go. This place where
she felt free. This place that sang to her like
the poems in her books.
Maybe poetry was the key." 

Mary Oliver loved to spend time in the forest near her home. There she basked in the quiet wonder of it all, with pen and notebook in hand.  Always wondering about nature, she was filled with questions. On a quest to take it all in and carry it with her, she turned to poetry. It was her love for words that afforded the opportunity to consider the works of Edna St. Vincent Millay; in so doing, she contacted Edna's sister and asked if she might visit their family home. 

As she worked organizing the work Edna left behind, Mary continued to venture into the natural world where she was always excited about the thoughts and questions it inspired. The mysteries of this natural world were recorded in her notebooks. Reading those notes would take Mary back to the feelings that inspired her many poems. Only then did she share het gift with the world; publishing books, teaching her craft, and never missing the chance to be in nature on her daily morning walks. 

"Notebook in hand, Mary set out each morning in 
search of wonder. She hid pencils behind trees to she
would always be prepared. 
Foxes and moon snails; black bears and owls,
snow crickets and goldfinches; sunflowers and ponds - 
Mary wrote on and on." 

Her poems, written over her long life, were for everyone, in hope that others would hold onto the wonder she had found in this beautiful world. That world is highlighted in wondrous digital artwork by Jasu Hu. Back matter includes an author's note, a timeline of Mary's life, a note on the craft of poetry, and a select bibliography.                                                                                          

Canada: We Are the Story, written by Richard Wagamese and illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley. Swift Water, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 6 and up

"Listen. The Old Ones speak to all of us.

They tell us that we are in this together
and that we always were. 

Listen and you will hear them."

As the story opens, a teacher is passing out an assignment to a diverse group of students. The questions assigned asks: "What makes you proud to be a Canadian?" One student does not seem interested. Once home, she sits to think about what she wants to say when she hears another question from a speaker not seen: "Can you hear the voices of the Old Ones speaking to you in a language you've forgotten?' 

In his adaptation of "The Canada Poem" by Richard Wagamese, David A. Robertson keeps the words and spellings true to the original in every way possible. Asking a child to listen to the voices of those who came before them recurs often, while explaining the circle that includes everyone who stepped on this land. 

Richard Wagamese and Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley are honored Ojibway book creators. The poem is a celebration of Canada, its diversity, and beauty. It asks readers and all Canadians to stop and listen to the land and to those who came before. They speak many languages and talk to us from the spirit world where there is no color, no skin, no time, and no history ... only spirit. 

The voices ask readers and listeners to take pride in their country, a place where great things happen at every turn in every area. The story of Canada is woven in threads from our diversity, our industries, our jobs, and our families. Old Ones' voices, when heard, provide comfort and pride. They offer guidance for each and every one of us.  We are all the story of Canada. 

The poem speaks to a new generation of Indigenous children, while also welcoming everyone who has played a part in honoring the past, and belonging today. Community connections hold great importance for all Canadians, past and present. The more often I read it and pay careful attention to the words, the more pride I feel for my home, Canada. 

It's hard to do justice to the beauty of the remarkable art that accompanies Mr. Wagamese's words. Brilliant in both color and detail, it projects a true sense of the spirit world while also honoring the Canadian landscape. Its symbols of Indigenous culture for the child doing her homework, alongside images of many other people from different cultures ensure pride for those who find community here. The final spread shows all manner of people walking across a turtle's back in celebration.                                                                              

                           

                https://youtu.be/6yLJxMZvRGU?si=RbeQpL0lWFaGU0SO                                                  

Just One Gift, written by Linda Sue Park and illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng. Clarion Books, Harper. 2026. $24.99 ages 10 and up

 

"I can't explain it, but it's like dogs got some kind of
secret power that makes it easier to talk to people. 
Like they want the whole world to be friends with 
each other. 

Ever since school started last fall, I stop on my way
home to pet Percy - that's the dog's name - and throw
a stick for him, and the guy tells me what they done
together that day." 

Language arts teacher Ms. Chang has a new assignment for her students. As she did in The One Thing You'd Save (Clarion, 2021), she prompts them to draw a slip of paper from a hat. On that slip they will find one of three words: Family, Friends, or ? - a reference to the people in their lives. The question mark is for someone not in their family or a friend. 

"If you could give someone special in your life just one gift, who would you choose, and what would it be?"

There are a few rules: it cannot be monetary or fantasy, and it must be something they have never asked for. I found myself stopping to think seriously about how I would answer that question. It is meant to do the same for the students in her classroom. In an author's note that follows the text, Ms. Park explains she again based her writing on a traditional Korean verse form called Sijo (SHEE-zho) and how it is written. I find that in itself amazing and beautiful to read. 

The diversity in the classroom structure is evident in every response given. Ideas are carefully considered and explained in their responses. It takes a lot of critical thinking. The students reflect on the task at hand as they write and then share (or not) their appreciation for the people in their lives. They respect what others have to say and are empathetic to the stories of community they tell. Filled with heart and thoughtful connections, it affords an opportunity in classrooms hearing these stories for the students to tell one of their own.

"Sean

Friend
(journal entry)

I'm not going to share this out loud because it'd be dissing Kyle. 
Everybody knows how hard up his family is, 
but he doesn't talk about it, so we don't either.

I'd give him the Omni16 game system coming out next month. 
Voice control, VR projection, next gen cloud capable. 
He'd be the first to have it. Before anyone else. For once.

If you are teaching in a middle years classroom, and have not yet discovered Linda Sue Park's books, take a trip to the library and find yourself a few of them. I know you will be surprised, and happy to meet an author whose work you can again offer your students.  

Our Home, Our Only Home, written by Marion Dane Bauer and illustrated by Sophie Diao. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 6 and up

 

"For all our knowing, though, 
we barely noticed our new fuel 
filling the sky 
with gases. 
Or the fertilizers and pesticides
washing from our fields 
into streams, 
into rivers, 
into oceans. 
We forgot 
as we cut down forests." 

Ms. Bauer uses a mix of poetry and science to bring ecological awareness to her readers; together she posits they can help to save this planet that is our home. She begins by reminding those who share her book that ours is the only planet that can sustain life. Over billions of years, it has changed, then changed again in the most amazing ways to move through periods of extinction. Yet, it survives. 

It took all that time before humans appeared, with a brain that tamed fire - for heat, for protection, for cooking the food that made us healthier in every way that mattered. Because of fire, people lived. Too soon, humans also discovered coal, oil, and gas which led to the development of machines that used those fossil fuels. The effects of those inventions and the ways in which they were used has brought us to a crisis on our planet. We didn't see what they were doing to our home and our environment. 

"Our lives had never been better, 
never been easier." 

It has not taken nearly as many years to get to where we are now. In fact, much has changed in the last few decades - rapid change that has never been seen before now. Her approach in the second half of the book is to suggest actions that can be taken and to talk about those who inspire others to make a difference. They may be teenagers, or those who have worked tirelessly throughout their lives to help us understand just exactly what is happening, and what changes will help. It's important to think beyond the human perspective and consider what it means to put the Earth first and do what's best to be sure every life is protected. 

Stunning digital illustrations ensure that readers are made aware of the emergency that is climate change and also begin to understand that we all can play a part with hope, action, and letting others know how to help turn things around for all. 

"Begin by being grateful."

Fresh Delicious: Poems From the Farmer's Market. Written by Irene Latham and illustrated by Mique Moriuchi. Astra Young Readers, Penguin Random House. 2026. $13.99 ages 4 and up

 

"They burst 
like flavor-filled 
fireworks
in waffles 
and muffins. 

But the best 
thing about 
blueberries
is the way 
they change

your lips
and teeth
and tongue 
from regular 
to purple-blue."

Readers will love sharing these celebratory poems about foods found in farmers' markets. The book was originally published in hardcover in 2016, and has recently been reissued as a paperback. Lucky for us that it is still in print; there is much appeal in the poetry and in the collage and acrylic illustrations. The fact that the characters attending the market are animals makes it a win-win for young readers. 

Most of the poems are written in free verse, showing fruits and vegetables in ways that may not have surfaced in other writing. They identify the foods as submarines, facial features, protection, playthings and more. Ms. Moriuchi's artwork is bright, detailed and placed on effective backgrounds to perfectly match the tone and descriptions in each of the poems. 

The animals, whether sellers or buyers, are clearly at home at the market. They welcome one another, choose what they need with care, and offer new ways of looking at the foods they are purchasing. A rabbit uses a lettuce leaf for protection from falling rain; three monkeys show the color-changing effects of ingesting blueberries; a hippo and giraffe, garbed as pirates, find treasure in a chest of fresh eggs; and a pig and a skunk savor the fuzziness of a peach.   

As the market comes to a close for another day, the buyers happily head for home with baskets, bags, and hands full of 'fresh delicious'! To add to the appeal, Ms. Latham closes her book with six esasy recipes for using the fruits and vegetables purchased. 

Goldfinches, writing by Mary Oliver and art by Melissa Sweet. Viking, Penguin Random House. 2026. $24.99 ages 5 and up

 

"One more thing
I want to mention 
before the pages
actually begin.
Writing poems
for me but not
necessarily for 
others, is a way 
of offering
praise to the 
world.

            - Mary Oliver"

This poem is but one example of Ms. Oliver's love for the natural world. It is the first shared in a book for children. In it she pays tribute to goldfinches, thistles, and their relationship, each to the other. While exploring open fields, a woman and her dog (presumably Mary) relish the beauty of their surroundings. There are goldfinches in the trees, and a marsh where brilliant pink thistles grow with wild abandon. It is said the finches are waiting for the long days of midsummer when the thistle head is filled with black seeds.  

Only then do the birds 'drop from the sky' to gather the silver down that explodes from those thistle seeds. How else to line their nests? Others join the woman and her dog to watch as the finches build a home for their carefully laid eggs. It happens every year. Once hatched, those tiny new birds fill their protective basket as parent birds provide food and safety. The woman sits against a tree with her dog, a pencil and her notebook, sketching and adding words that might someday become a new poem of praise to the world. 

What a perfect pairing to have the incredibly gifted artist Melissa Sweet illustrate Ms. Oliver's words. She does so in the most beautiful way; using watercolor, gouache, pencil, vintage and handmade papers, mixed media collage, thistle down, and a bird's nests. The compositions are skillfully placed on each page to ensure careful observation that invites all readers to stop and pay attention, as Ms. Oliver would want us to do the same anytime we spend time in nature. The text is clearly placed within uncluttered space for her words to shine. The palette of rich yellows and pinks is inherent in the goldfinch feathers and the richness of the thistle pods.  

It has the feel of the notebook an avid observer of nature's wonders would keep. The collages are lovely in every way; they showing setting, color, scientific information, nest building, a bird's life cycle, and the joy found in exploring nature. 

"Have you ever been so happy in your life?"

Back matter includes the full text of the poem, Ms. Oliver's bird list from 1991, and a valuable author's note. 
                                                                                       

Planting Sunshine, written by Andree Poulin and illustrated by Enzo. Groundwood Books, 2026. $19.99 ages 10 and up

"Theo falls silent. 
He realizes 
there's nothing
            he can do 
              to stop the war. 

Powerlessness 
towers over him 
            a tall wall 
               of bricks
blocking every path forward. 

He realizes 
          the hardest part
              is knowing 
there's nothing 
         you can do."
           

 "Do wars begin because too many people can’t say ‘I’m sorry?"

For kids who can watch what is going on around the world on their television sets, there is a rising concern for what is happening to others. Theo knows that the likelihood of a war where he lives is minimal; the toll wars are taking around the world make no sense to him. He cannot understand the root cause for the many deaths and the total devastation in those countries. 

He asks his father why there are wars; he can give no satisfactory answer to Theo's question. It doesn't seem to make a difference to his friends at school. Mrs. Lena his neighbor shares his worries as war rages in her homeland. The longer the war goes on, the more Theo feels anger and great sadness. Meeting Lily and seeing what she is doing to protest war gives him some peace. This is such an honest look at one very sensitive young man who has to finally come to terms with the fact that he can do nothing to stop any war.; no one he knows can do that. 

A hopeful ending for Theo has him working with his dad and Lily to sell Mrs. Lena's delicious perogies to raise funds for the survivors. This small difference helps to assuage his anxiety. This novel in verse is so eloquent in its storytelling, giving Theo a voice when the reality of war makes no sense to him. The writing shows middle grade readers how war is hurting so many, due only to hate and horror. Illustrations by Enzo are compelling in their honesty as well, showing war in reality as well as the war fought in Theo's imagination. 

"I know these sunflowers
these marked stones
these perogies 
        won't silence the cannons. 
               But they're a way 
                       a small way 
               to start building 
                            peace,"
     

Valuable back matter discusses war, its causes and the rules not followed, how it affects children, and offers thoughts on how to build peace. 

A Pond, A Poet and Three Pests, written by Caroline Adderson and illustrated by Lauren Tamaki. Groundwood Books, 2025. $21.99 ages 8 and up

 

"A lily growing in the water noticed 
the curious behavior of the carp, 
then the poet,
a calm presence on the bank. 

A flower lives only one season, unless 
he's the subject of a poem."

Those who have read and shared the works of 17th-century Japanese poet Basho will know his haiku about a pond and a frog. One night, while out walking, Basho found a place full of peace where he could sit calmly and think. It didn't take long for the pond dwellers to recognize their quiet visitor. 

A golden carp surfaces and recognizes Basho as 'the most famous poet in the land'. Wishing to be noticed as a subject for his next haiku, the carp seeks attention for her golden scales and her shameless ability to flutter her grandiose tail. Basho's eyes remain closed in contemplation. Next is a water lily whose life lasts through only one season. He is determined to have Basho smell the enticing perfume that radiates into the air as his petals unfurl. A Basho poem would result in the fame that has eluded him. Calling loudly to the poet, he sees that Basho's nose is unmoved by the scent. The final inhabitant is a mosquito whose penchant for blood lands her very close to the poet's ear. She has stories to tell if only Basho will listen. There is no reaction. 

Peace returns and Basho remains contemplative. A frog, who has been watching the drama unfold from the nearby bank, decides that he will not let it spoil his midnight swim. He leaps. Basho's eyes open wide - 

"Old pond - 
Frog jumps in. 
           Splash!

               Matsuo Basho (1644 - 1694)"

In a following note, Ms. Adderson describes haiku and adds further material about the poet, his life and his teaching. She ends with an invitation for readers to try their hand at sitting alone in nature and responding to what their senses are telling them. The natural setting of the pond environment is beautifully captured by Lauren Tamaki using acrylic ink in colors that are predominantly green and blue. Close-ups of the poet reflect his ability to thoroughly concentrate until his creative energy is sparked, leaving him wide-eyed and fully focused on new work. 
                                                                                  

Five Little Friends: A Collection of Finger Rhymes. Written by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Fiona Woodcock. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $25.99 ages 2 and up

 

"I Can Tie My Laces

I can tie my laces. 
This is the way I know. 

First you make a knot.
Then you tie the bow. 

I think I've done it right. 
And I'm feeling rather clever, 

until I realize ...
I've tied my shoes together!"

If you are a parent or caregiver interested in getting little ones moving about and finding inspiration from the world around them, this is the book for you. There are 35 strong and telling rhymes here that look to the everyday experiences that inspire young children to play with language, create dramatic scenes, and engage in fully from one page to the next. 

Beginning with friends sharing fun in a variety of ways and places, the first verse encourages counting to 5, movement, and a wish to go back to the beginning and say it all again. As the verses are shared, little ones will find favorites that they will soon be repeating on their own. Comparing size in fingers, baking a cake, watching soap bubbles float and pop, Sean Taylor moves from humor to delight as he encourages his readers to think and react. 

"The Wind

Here comes the wind. 
The trees swish and sway. 

Hold onto your hat! 
Or it will blow away! 

Great gusts of wind
whirl their way on through.

Hold onto your pants! 
Or you might lose them, too!"

Accompanying these witty and full-of-movement rhymes are Fiona Woodcock's brilliant mixed media images that provide pointers and hints for the kinds of actions to be taken. The subjects are far-reaching and offer plentiful opportunities to stop and talk. What a truly exceptional gift for a new baby, a happy toddler, or a kindergarten classroom! 

We need more books like this ...                                                                                   

The Trouble with Heroes, written by Kate Messner. Bloomsbury Children's Books, Raincoast. 2025. $23.99 ages 10 and up

 

"Mom made excuses even when I was little.
The Towers took something he couldn’t get back.
No matter how fast he ran into flames.
No matter how hard he tried to forget.
Memories like that stick to your skin,
crawl deep inside you,
and curl up in corners
that still somehow smolder, all
metal and ash."  

Finn Connelly has gotten himself in some big trouble letting his anger get the better of him, and kicking over the headstone of an important local, Edna Grace Thomas. Ms. Thomas was a dedicated climber of the 46 Adirondack Peaks, and encouraged thousands of others to discover the beauty and peace found in nature while climbing them. Instead of pressing charges against the seventh grader, Ms.Thomas' daughter seeks reparation through Finn agreeing to scale all 46 High Peaks before Labor Day. He will take the Thomas dog, Seymour, with him as often as is possible. 

Finn also has unfinished work from school in English and Phys. Ed. to complelte during the summer. Whed two years ago. Finn is about to fail seventh grade and has never made headlines . . . until now. Caught on camera vandalizing a cemetery, he’s in big trouble for knocking down some dead old lady’s headstone. Turns out that grave belongs to a legendary local mountain climber, and her daughter makes Finn an unusual offer: she’ll drop all the charges if he agrees to climb all forty-six Adirondack High Peaks in a single summer. And there’s just one more thing–he has to bring along the dead woman’s dog. In a wild three months of misadventures, mountain mud, and unexpected mentors, Finn begins to find his way on the trails. At the top of each peak, he can see for miles and slowly begins to understand more about himself and his dad. But the mountains don’t care about any of that, and as the clock ticks down to September, they have more surprises in store. Finn’s final summit challenge may be more than even a hero can face. ile not enamored of the task, Finn agrees and is accompanied on his climbs by experienced volunteers who agree to help him face the summits. There is a lot for Finn to deal with, including his father's death and need to be a hero. In poetic verse, Kate Messner handles topics of grief, mental health, PTSD, friendship, identity, and growing up. She also includes founds letters, recipes, text messages between mother and son, school progress reports, and photographs taken of the many climbs.

Finn is a well-realized character whose growth and capability impress readers, as he moves forward despite difficulties and observed flaws to find out what he needs to know about himself.  Eventually, despite reservations and many complaints, Finn finds what he needs in nature and with kind support. There are many discoveries to be made and his story, though heartbreaking at times, is going to win some major awards. It's that good! 

Black Diamond Kings, written by Charles R. Smith Jr. and illustrated by Adrian Brandon. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages

"THUNDER AND LIGHTNING 
Josh Gibson 

Here comes Big Josh
big Josh 
up to bat, 
here comes big Josh 
with the thunder in his bat. 

Here comes the heat
speeding fast 
fast 
fast, 
here it comes
there it goes
with a thunderous 
CRASH. 

There it goes
there it goes
OUT 
of the stadium, 
a bolt of lightning from the bat of big Josh Gibson!"

It's mid-season for MLB and the 2025 season. It seems an appropriate time to tell you about this new book by the prolific Charles R. Smith Jr. If you love sports, or have kids and students who do, you will know his name. His many books are favorites of those who want to know more about the world of sports. He has written over 30, and many of them reflect his keen interest in people, sports stars, and Black History. 

Mr. Smith begins with Satchel Paige in a poem that showcases his brilliance as a pitcher, and the skill that lured countless fans to the ball park to watch his wizardry. Each turn of the page presents another stellar competitor and offers a clear look at the ability they carried onto the field game after game. I could go on to share their stories and their accomplishments. The pages are filled with very clear descriptions of each player selected, and each is worthy of full attention. The poetic styles vary and explore the sights and sounds of baseball. 

The author pays tribute to 12 baseball stars who spent all or most of their careers in the Negro Leagues (1920s to 1962); readers will learn their stories, first in poetry and then in a series of 'player notes'. Those notes are filled with further information about each one, and includes years played, handedness, and positions played. A few also held management spots. A question-and-answer section following provides honest answers concerning the evolution of the league and some of the hurdles Negro players faced. 

Illustrations, sketched by hand and digitally painted, offer readers a chance to see each player on the field as they must have appeared to those in attendance at their games. Long limbs, constant movement, chiseled features make them come alive. They were great players and their careers merit being added to Major League statistics. There are currently 37 Negro Leagues players in the Baseball Hall of Fame ... a well-deserved honor.                                                                                        

You're A Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems. Written by Sean Taylor and illustrated by Sam Usher. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2024. $24.99 ages 8 and up

 

"As loud as a stomping monster!
As loud as a truck in a tunnel! 
As loud as a tiger roaring! 
As loud as a wild wind whirling! 

As quiet as a baby breathing. 
As quiet as an apple on a branch. 
As quiet as a feather falling onto the sand. 
As quiet as the moon rising in the night."

Squirrel and Piglet are on vacation at the beach on two separate days when the weather is very different.  Their first day is windy, wild and noisy; their second is still, peaceful and quiet. Tired, they lay on their beach towel, and remember their words from the two days. After repeating them, Piglet suggests that they have created a poem. Indeed, they have. 

Following the telling of that story, Sean Taylor has a suggestion for emerging poets. He explains for them what a comparing poem is, and offers suggestions about writing one for themselves. Perhaps they might think of comparing bright/dark or light/heavy. 

In other chapters, Mr. Taylor uses warm and entertaining stories about Piglet, his family and friends to  present opportunities for thinking about poetry and how it works. Following the story, a kind of poem is described: a puddle poem, a making-a-person-out-of-something poem, an if-I-was poem, and finally, an I-would-give-you poem. Add to each a two-page spread labelled Writing Secrets meant to inspire young poets to use their senses, add details that are surprising, write with a partner, daydream before writing, and take time to give it your best. 

As a huge fan of Sam Usher's work, his watercolor and ink artwork does not disappoint. His characters hold such appeal, and fully match the joy and encouragement Sean Taylor offers for taking time to give poetry a go. If you are one of those people who is wary of poetry, this book is a tremendous asset. What a truly original and creative way to get kids, their parents and teachers thinking about writing poetry based on experiences and ideas! 
                                                                                    

And She Was Loved: Toni Morrison's Life in Stories, written by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Daniel Minter. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2025. $24.99 ages 9 and up

 

"And she was loved ... 

With your college degree in hand,
here comes a golden seed, planted in your ready palm. 
Toni Morrison, sign here, you're hired.
They know you're smart when they let you in
but have no idea how you will build empires."

The remarkable poetry written to introduce middle grade readers to the iconic Toni Morrison is testament to the marvelous talent of another great writer - Andrea Davis Pinkney. Ms. Pinkney has chosen to tell this life story from first chalk writings on the sidewalk where dreams were shared. Born in Lorain, Ohio and named Chloe Ardelia, and living in a rickety old house filled with words and song, Chloe knew great love. 

Words were her friends at school, at home, and on the street. Because she was born to read, she helped her brothers learn. Happy childhood led to university life where she made her presence known, and changed her name to Toni. An historically black university, Howard provided an education that allowed students to think widely and offered an education that led to her working with new writers, while writing quietly and privately on her own stories. 

"You manage a scribbled story 
about a Black girl wishing for sapphire eyes. 
With her tale, your own writing bursts fully alive." 

Toni Morrison's writing and storytelling continues to have great meaning for the world's readers. The Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winner is here honored for the power of her words, and the love she inspired. She was, indeed, loved and continues to be through her life's work. 

"Toni Morrison, you do not shy back.
You - mother of spiritual mythology.
You - deliver the ticket. Finally. A front-row seat to Black-is-truly-beautiful."

In back matter, Ms. Pinkney includes a note about how this poem came to be, and Daniel Minter offers an artist's note on his process for the meaningful artwork. Following that, a paragraph speaks of Toni Morrison's many accomplishments and a timeline for her life from her birth in 1931 until her death in 2019 is shared. Lists of selected works and sources consulted for the writing are appended. 
                                                                                   

If I Could Choose A Best Day: Poems of Possibility, written by Irene Latham and Charles Waters and illustrated by Olivia Sua. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $28.99 all ages

 

"Time
by Rebekah Lowell

If you give a tadpole time,
it will change into a frog.

If you give an egg time, 
it will hatch into a bird.

If you give a seed time, 
it will bloom into a flower.

If you give a caterpillar time, 
it will morph into a butterfly.

If you give an acorn time, 
it will grow into an oak. 

If you give yourself time, 
just think what you will do."-

I like to imagine what it might be like in a classroom where this poem was just shared if the teacher asked students to add their own verse to it. When we give kids a chance to build on something they have heard, and give them the time to consider the task, the results are often amazing. It's worth trying! 

Poets were asked to contribute a poem for this anthology, all using the word if as a starting point. Some of the poets who made submissions, or had them chosen for them, have had their work published. Others are first-timers. The thirty poems reflect a plethora of ideas and observations; each is given a place in four titled sections: Everyday Magic, The Power of You, Kinfolk and Companions, and Anything is Possible. 

The introductory poem is penned by the anthologists. It welcomes readers, and invites them in to consider the possibilities. The following 29 entries explore ideas from learning all about just one bird, to fears that keep young ones awake at night, to using a pencil to write a poem or a smile to invite friendship, to opening windows on a sleepless night for star watching. Listening carefully as the poems are read will encourage thinking about important connections that can be made to them. Many will be read numerous times, and favorites will rise to the surface.  What power there is in the word if!

Mixed-media illustrations by Olivia Sua are filled with images that are sure to charm readers and capture their attention for the many details that extend the meaning of the poetry. 

"And if means there is no limit
         If means forget before
        If means all is possible
Because if means the world is yours!"                                                                                             

Ruthie Rose's BIG IDEA, words by John Schu and illustrations by Holly Hatam. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $23.99 ages 4 and up

 

"An idea she cannot wait to share with ... 

Ms. Alexandria, 
           a book-talking, 
                   idea-loving librarian. 

Together, they'll find the perfect space to put
Ruthie Rose's idea in place." 

Ruthie Rose begins her day with an idea in her head she can barely wait to share. She knows the people at school she needs to see as soon as she gets there. The librarian is first, and agrees to find the perfect place for Ruthie Rose's fascinating idea. Next, she talks with the art teacher, who supplies 'paper, paints, and plenty of pizzazz' for making that space inviting and exciting for all. Her own teacher loves ideas, and she helps Ruthie Rose list all the materials needed in the new space to make sure the idea thrives. Finally, it's up to her friends who love poetry and reading as much as she does to gather students throughout the school to visit The Poetry Place. They will soon learn it is a destination for POETS, POETRY, and POSSIBILITIES! What more can one small girl ask? 

Digital images burst with bold color and movement as the idea fires up great excitement. Filled with lines from poems, it follows Ruthie Rose from the onset of the project to the culmination. Wherever she goes, it sparks interest and community. A final scene from the Poetry Place shows readers and writers busy and productive, with bookshelves lining the walls, tables, chairs and comfy spots for working, and a Poetree for displaying student work. What fun! 
                                                                                     

Bright Lights and Summer Nights, written by Shauntay Grant and illustrated by Zach Manbeck. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 2 and up

 

"Red balloon and country fair

Country fair and carousel

Carousel and forest friends"

A toddler, bathed in light and tapping a drum glows from the first page of this bedtime story. A carousel radiates light, the child sits atop a rocking horse and a fairy godmother sprinkles the air with fairy dust. What more could that child want as sleep beckons?

The following full spread shows the child peacefully wrapped in the arms of the fairy godmother. Filled with light and love, they travel together through the summer night to touch the stars and gaze at the magic of moonshine. The deeper the sleep, the more fantastic the journey becomes. Country fairs, balloons, and other dreamers allow for carousel rides, giant butterflies, forest animals, and a trolley ride through the night's darkness.  

The book's poetic text offers a lullaby of sorts for the journey taken. Shauntay Grant admits to being inspired by Margartet Wise Brown's Goodnight Moon. Mixed-media artwork sparkles from the pages, with warmth and comfort. Shimmering, golden yellows and deep, lush greens fill the sky with fireworks before fading to the white glow of serene and welcome slumber. What a brilliant world of imagination!                                                                                 

In The Desert, written by David Elliott and illustrated by Gordy Wright. Candllewick Books, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages 6 and up

"THE SAND CAT 

She looks as if
she might just be 
the family pet, 

that is to say, 

mild, domestic. 

Yet like her 
roaring cousins

to the south, 

she is - 

in her small way - 

majestic."

I have long been a fan of David Elliott's work. His eight other books about animals and where they live were always a part of the poetry workshops I did in schools, in an effort to have children give poetry a try. Those books were mentor texts to help them see how focusing on one habitat and doing research to investigate its inhabitants gave them a starting point for thinking about their writing.

His new book honors the Sahara Desert and its native dwellers. The first of fifteen poems is about the desert itself. Fourteen different creatures follow on double-page spreads that offer a clear look at each, and the environment that is their home. The language is, as always, expressive and often ingenious. At times, the author speaks directly to the featured creature. At other times, he offers an apt description. 

Gordy Wright's digitally finished gouache and acrylic images bring the Saharan landscape to full life as background to his realistic, often aggressive, desert denizens. There are times when they appear to be looking directly at the reader, offering both intimidation and charm. That depends on the creature depicted. The Painted Dog's steely stare sparks alarm, while the gentle gaze of the Sand Cat oozes grace.

Back matter offers very useful further information in Notes About the Sahara Desert and the Animals. The Sahara Desert is not nearly as desolate and forbidding as one might have come to believe. 

"The Dung Beetle: Dung beetles make their living by forming balls of the waste of other animals and rolling them back to their nest. Maybe that seems kind of gross. But think aobut this before you dis these tiny workers: they navigate the desert by the Milky Way, enabling them to find a straight line back home. Like GPS, but way cooler."

If this post has whet your appetite for more by this outstanding poet, you can check out In the Woods, At the Pond, On the Farm, In the Wild, In the Sea, At the Poles, On the Wing, and In the Past.                                                                                      

 

Words with Wings and Magic Things, written by Matthew Burgess and illustrated by Doug Salati. tundra, Penguin Random House. 2025, $26.99 ages 8 and up

 

"Living with Lions

When they purr, 
pet their fur. 

When they snore,
close the door. 

When they wake, 
take a cake. 

When they scream
serve ice cream. 

When they roar, 
give them more. 

And if they bite, 
nighty night."

There are many poems here for readers to appreciate; in fact, there are 49 of them. Their range will appeal to children of all ages - and their caregivers. Seven portals offer an invitation for readers to experience each one of them: Welcome, Wonders, Wild, Wheee!, Whoops and Whallops, Windows, and finally, Whispers and Well Wishes. 

Step through the Wonders portal with these words: 'To reach the place of things unseen, /words can be your trampoline.' On the pages that follow, readers will find poems that describe a kaleidoscope, a hammock song, the fairies, midnight firelight, the treasures of deepest sleep, feeling the colors, and rhyme of the chrysalis. Wonders, indeed! 

 The wordplay is notable, taking daily places, events, people and things from what is often routine to something quite extraordinary. Doug Salati's digitally colored pencil and gouache illustrations add to the joy found in the reading. Their combined talents make this a very appealing read for kids on their own, or with friends. Each portal has a die-cut invitation to move to the following page, while the artwork  provides a scenario for the poetic couplet that introduces the next group of poems. Action then turns to a double-page impression of what's to come. It is an extremely effective way to engage and entertain readers. 

There is much to savor in the words, and even more as artwork is carefully considered to make connections from one to the other. This team knows kids, and what will make them laugh, and think. Let readers choose their own favorites to share as a classroom performance, or with a friend. It takes me back to when I was sharing poetry with my kids at home and at school, using books by Shel Silverstein, Jack Prelutsky, Dennis Lee, and others.