
A parent might reach for this book when their child shows a budding interest in words and rhymes, or conversely, feels that poetry is boring or difficult. This book serves as a vibrant, accessible entry point into the world of poetry. It is a collection of original poems, each one written as a tribute to a famous poet, celebrating their unique style and voice. The book explores themes of joy, gratitude, and the power of creativity, encouraging children to find their own voice. It's a wonderful choice for sparking curiosity and showing that poetry is a living, breathing art form full of wonder, not just something stuffy found in old textbooks. The stunning illustrations and diverse selection of poets make it a rich, multilayered experience.
The book itself is celebratory and contains no sensitive topics. The poems focus on the joy of creation and the craft of writing. However, it's worth noting that many of the poets honored (like Hughes and Neruda) wrote extensively about social injustice, poverty, and political struggle. These themes are not present in the tribute poems, but may come up if a family is inspired to research the poets further. The approach is entirely secular and hopeful.
An 8-11 year old who is either a budding writer hungry for inspiration or a child who has been turned off by dry, academic approaches to poetry. It is perfect for the creatively-minded child who loves art, music, and language, and is looking for models of how to express their unique view of the world.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe book can be read cold with no preparation. For a richer experience, a parent could preview the list of poets at the back and have a laptop ready to look up a short, famous poem by the poet being celebrated (e.g., read "We Real Cool" before or after reading the tribute to Gwendolyn Brooks). This can turn a reading session into a wonderful discovery. A parent hears their child say, "I hate poetry, it's so boring," after a school assignment. Or, a parent sees their child secretly scribbling rhymes in a notebook and wants to encourage them with a book that feels modern, diverse, and exciting.
A younger reader (7-8) will connect most with the rhythmic language and the vibrant, textured illustrations, experiencing it as a beautiful picture book. An older reader (10-12) will grasp the meta-concept of writing poems *about* poets, use the pieces as mentor texts for their own writing, and be more engaged by the biographies at the end.
Unlike most children's anthologies that simply collect existing poems, this book offers original works that function as a conversation with poetry's past. It’s an active invitation to create, not just a passive collection to consume. Its focus on a diverse array of poets, combined with the singular artistic vision of Ekua Holmes, makes it a standout celebration of the art form itself.
This is not a narrative but a poetry anthology with a unique concept. The three authors, Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth, have written twenty original poems. Each poem is an homage to a famous poet, written in a style that evokes the spirit of the honored writer. Poets celebrated include Gwendolyn Brooks, Langston Hughes, Rumi, Pablo Neruda, and Emily Dickinson. Each poem is paired with a stunning collage-style illustration by Ekua Holmes and is followed by a short, accessible biography of the poet who inspired it.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.