Poetry picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
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How to Write a Poem
by Kwame Alexander (Author), Deanna Nikaido (Author), Melissa Sweet (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Quill Tree Books. 2023. Grades 3-5. Hardcover Picture Book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0063060906.
Brief summary: Young readers (and future poetry writers) are encouraged to feel and use their imagination as they observe the world around them. They are inspired to write it down as poetry.
For more details or to buy, click here.
Rating: 3/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—
If you enjoy this book, you may also like How to Read a Book.
Push-Pull Morning: Dog-Powered Poems About Matter and Energy
by Lisa Westberg Peters (Author), Serge Bloch (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wordsong. 2023. Grades 2-4. Hardcover Nonfiction Picture Book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1635925272.
Brief summary: A fun introduction to physics in free verse poetry about a child and dog experiencing everyday life.
Comments: Each poem’s physics correlation is explained at the back of the book. This book could be shared in science units when each physics aspect is introduced to give students an idea of seeing it in the world around them.
For more details or to buy, click here.
Rating: 3/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—
Where I Live: Poems About My Home, My Street, and My Town
by Paul B. Janeczko (Author), Hyewon Yum (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick. 2023. 1-3. Hardcover Picture Book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1536200942.
Brief summary: This is a collection of twenty-four poems divided into three sections: home, street, and town. The variety of poets and authors is diverse, with examples of several different types of poems—an excellent poetry addition to any library.
Comments: The illustrator captures the mood and characteristics of each poem.
For more details or to buy, click here.
Rating: 4/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—
The Dream Train: Poems for Bedtime
by Sean Taylor (Author), Anuska Allepuz (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick. 2023. PreK-2. Hardcover Picture Book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1536228342.
Brief summary: Thirty poems are divided into three sections: Night Arrives, Shut-Your-Eyes Time, and Dream Wheels Turning. The poems are a variety of different forms and with a variety of settings and characters.
The illustrations are colorful and completely fill all of the pages. Very well done.
For more details or to buy, click here.
Rating: 4.5/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2
Trees: Haiku from Roots to Leaves
by Sally M. Walker (Author), Angela Mckay (Illustrator). Publisher ‏ : ‎ Candlewick. 2023. Grades 2-5. Hardcover Picture Book. ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1536215502.
Brief summary: This is a collection of haikus about a tree’s life cycle and the changes of every season. There are many two-paged illustrations.
The back pages have information about a tree’s life, including wild and urban forests. There is also an author’s note and a glossary.
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Rating: 3.5/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2
The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian, who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.