Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poemsselected by Paul B. Janeczko
illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Candlewick Press, 2014
I don't know whether I love this collection more for the poetry or for the illustrations. Either way, it's a winner.
Beginning with Spring, each of the seasons is explored through eight or nine poems from a variety of both adult and children's poets.
Each poem is a snapshot, a glimpse, a moment. They are perfect for showing children the power of just a few words to describe or evoke or illuminate.
And did I mention that the illustrations are beyond lovely? They are classic Melissa Sweet. I wish I could frame every page.
This is a collection you will want, and a fabulous gift book. Share the love.
Check out Mary Ann's review at
Great Kid Books.
by J. Patrick Lewis
illustrated by Maria Cristina Pritelli
Creative Editions, 2014
What is more fun than a whole shelf full of J. Patrick Lewis poetry books? An anthology with all of his best poems collected between its covers!
Knowing that Pat has published a shelf-full of poetry books, one wonders how on earth he picked these "bests" that can be found in such wide-ranging topics in the table of contents as Animals, People, Reading, Sports, Riddles and Epitaphs, Mother Nature, Places, and A Mix?
Inspired by his title, I have prepared a series of posts that will spotlight 2014 poetry books that feature poetry in science, nature, history, biography, and the imagination. Stay tuned!
Over at
No Water River, Renee reviewed Everything is a Poem last summer. For a peek at the illustrations and some of the poems, head on over there now.
Title: Sublime PlanetAuthors: Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball
Photos: Ann Howley
ISBN: 978-1482054705
Reviewed by Karen Cioffi
Gearing up for Earth Day, Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball are releasing a brand new collection of poems titled Sublime Planet. The collection features relevant poems by Carolyn and Magdalena that demonstrate the interconnections of the world around us, including life, family, and love, along with the growing concern for the earth’s preservation.
This is a beautifully written collection that allows the reader to pause and take note of the world around her.
One of my favorite poems in the collection is “The Giraffe:”
A tongue generousas my head he reachesfor me, barriers no matchfor his long neck, sniffsmy hair, kisses my face.He unawarehe is endangered.I unaware he mightbe dangerous.This poem is a powerful, yet simple tribute to a majestic creature that is now an endangered species. Can you imagine a planet without the giraffe?
Another poem in the collection that struck me is “Tipping Point” by Magdalena Ball: “
[. . .] you eat and eat through four billion years of evolution now held loosely by one thread. [. . .] The future waits impatiently your decision.”Again, powerful, and revealing.
Sublime Planet offers moving insight into the world around us and into a world that is in need of attention, and it certainly honors Earth Day.
I highly recommend it.For those who aren’t aware of what Earth Day is, Senator Gaylord Nelson created this special day in the spring of 1970. The purpose behind it was to make everyone aware of all the toxins being spewed into the air and dumped in nearby streams or other waterways by manufacturing companies.
At that time, there were no regulatory or legal safety nets to protect our planet, our environment. Senator Nelson took a stand and his cause quickly caught on.
The earth is our planet, our home, our responsibility, and we’re not doing such a good job protecting it.
Sublime Planet will be released before Earth Day (April 22nd). Keep a look out for it and get a copy as soon as it’s available.
The poems "Giraffe" and “Tipping Point” are from
Sublime Planet, a book of poetry in the Celebration Series coauthored by Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball. It will be released before Earth Day. In the meantime learn more about Carolyn's poetry books (including that Celebration Series!) at
http://howtodoitfrugally.com/poetry_books.htm. And, learn more about Magdalena’s poetry and fiction at
http://magdalenaball.com
HarperCollins has revealed the cover and title of a posthumously published Shel Silverstein poetry collection: Everything On It. The publisher will print one million copies of the September release.
Here’s more about the book: “With more than one hundred and thirty never-before-seen poems and drawings completed by the cherished American artist and selected by his family from his archives, this collection will follow in the tradition and format of his acclaimed poetry classics.”
Silverstein passed away in 1999, but his children’s poetry collections (Where the Sidewalk Ends and A Light in the Attic) have a dedicated audience. The poet, illustrator and songwriter hesitated to enter the children’s market until he met the legendary children’s editor Ursula Nordstrom and she convinced him to try.
New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.
Karen, this is such a lovely review. Magdalena and I love it and pre publicity for a book is absolutely essential. Hope people will mark their calendars for an Earth Day gift of a "sustainable" e-copy. (-: For a friend. For themselves.
Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Excited about how much the new edition of the Frugal Book Promoter (expanded! updated!) can help writers with the tried and true and the new media, too. Now a USA Book News award-winner in its own right (www.budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo) it the original edition was also a Reader Views winner and an Irwin Award winner.
Carolyn, Sublime Planet is a wonderful collection and I'm happy to bring attention to it!
Thanks so much for this lovely, thoughtful review Karen.
My pleasure, Maggie!
I agree it's a great collection,
I was just working on its release today. Mary Jo, I used a quote from your review under the Book Description. Maggie and I are now ordering our paperback proofs. The support you two talented writers have given us is so appreciated.
Mary Jo, thanks so much for stopping by!