The Pine Cone's Secret - A Life Cycle Poem review

 

Did you know a pine tree starts as a cone, turns into a gift, and can become a blanket?(goodreads summary) 

 

 

 

 

We have the opportunity to learn many amazing things from nature and here is the perfect book to add to your home or classroom library.  It is a mix between poetic text and a science lesson all in one.  It follows the journey of a pine tree through each stage of its life; starting from a falling pine cone and growing into a towering giant. The tree can also be many helpful things to the forest animals and people that live near it.   The beautiful illustrations are gentle and peaceful while taking you through the different seasons.  If you look closely at the forest scenes, kids will find little animals hidden in various spots. I also liked that it tells a story of a growing family, caretakers of the forest and how animals need trees for their survival.  Added at the end pages are wonderful extras such as; parts of a pine tree, where pines are found, tree trivia and a pine cone craft project.  It is an extra fun science lesson part that taught me things I didn't know.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-8.~

 

Title: The Pine Cone's Secret

Author: Hannah Barnaby, illustrated by Cedric Abt

Pub. date:  September 2025,  Sourcebooks Explore

Genre: picture book, nature

Hardcover, 40 pgs 

Poetry Comics review

 

Combining poetry and comics in a whole new way, this fun and imaginative book is perfect for poetry lovers and reluctant readers alike.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The front cover was the first thing that I loved about this book.  The tree in seasonal themes and the vibrant colors offers a great introduction to what I will find inside.  The book combines poems and comics in a wonderfully creative way that will inspire kids to read and may even be sparked to write poetry of their own similar to this.  It is divided into the four seasons with poems that convey human feeling and emotions about real life things that are very relatable.  Adding the comic panels gives it a unique element that will visually engage the reader to the words. The poems and illustrations are short and simple but very impactful. They express thoughts, feelings and things that you find in our everyday lives such as; friends, self-confidence, anxiety, fear, growing up and even has advice on how to write a poem.   

 

My favorite was called Inner Life.  It read -  "There are secret dreams that live inside each person. Can you see them? They swim just beneath the surface."   It shows a boy laying on a pier reaching into a pond with lily pads on top and underneath there are orange fish swimming. It made me stop and think about those words and the illustration. There are so many pages like this for me that were touching and thought provoking.  This book would work great for a poetry unit for older grades.  I think kids will connect to many of the writings and may even be inspired to create their own poetry comic. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 9-12.~

 

Title: Poetry Comics

Author: Grant Snider

Pub. date: March 2024, Chronicle Books

Genre: poetry

Hardcover, 96 pgs.

In and Out the Window review

 

The largest single anthology of Jane Yolen's poetry, containing more than one hundred poems for all occasions(goodreads summary).

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a beautifully written poetry book and a wonderful way to introduce and encourage children to write their own poems.  Author Jane Yolen offers a collection of poems that celebrates childhood in various ways. She shares over one hundred writings about home, family, school, music, sports, animals and even nature. She includes calendar poems for the months of the year and a Who, What, Where, When and Why to write a poem.  Each one is a personal feeling she captures that kids will relate to with their own feelings they may be experiencing about a subject.  There are so many different poems inside that it would be hard to not connect to any of them.  I had quite a few I liked and related to when I was a kid myself.  She tells readers to look in the window but also outside the window for inspiration which makes a great title for the book. Scattered here and there are black and white illustrations to go with a certain poem to ponder.  Some are short and some are longer but all are thoughtful and tells a story about being a kid.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 8-11.~

Title:  In and Out the Window

Author: Jane Yolen, illustrated by Cathrin Peterslund

Pub. date: March 2024, Philomel Books

Genre: poetry

Hardcover, 208 pgs.

 

Words with Wings review

Gabby's world is filled with daydreams. However, what began as an escape from her parents' arguments has now taken over her life. But with the help of a new teacher, Gabby the dreamer might just become Gabby the writer, and words that carried her away might allow her to soar.(goodreads summary)




I am usually not a big reader of books written in verse but this one is definitely mentionable.  The beautiful poetry will hook you from the first page to the last wanting to hear Gabby's voice. She feels the other kids in her class thinks she is shy and weird which becomes even harder for her when she relocates to another school due to her parents separation. At first her mom and new teacher, Mr. Spicer, do not understand her drifting off and both feel it is interfering with everyday tasks. Gabby is labeled a daydreamer.... She decides she will work on focusing when she needs to but during times like recess, she will let her mind carry her away again. Then one day her teacher begins to recognize a special quality about her daydreaming and instead of stopping it he surprisingly encourages her instead.  

This short and fast read would be great for teachers and parents as well as children. Many times we view them as not paying attention to us or being in their own world. After reading this inspiring book, it just might open our adult eyes to the possibility there may be more to a child that we don't see. There could be a future author or artist, composer or an inventor who just needs a little understanding and guidance to help them channel some creativity, letting them know they are "okay".  I am glad I found this powerful book by accident and I think this is a "just right book" for ages 8-99.~

Title: Words with Wings
Author: Nikki Grimes
Pub. Date: September 1, 2013, Wordsong
Genre: non-fiction
Hardcover, 84 pgs. 

I've Lost My Hippopotamus review

A brand-new rib-tickling collection of more than 100 never-before-published poems by national bestselling poet Prelutksy, illustrated throughout in black-and-white by "New York Times"-bestselling artist Urbanovic. (goodreads summary)







Here is a light-hearted and fun book mixed with poems about real animals and quite a few imaginary ones. It is filled with 100 funny poems including a silly picture to go along with each one. The illustrations are clear and nicely drawn in black and white that add humor to the book. Some of the poems are better than others and I found myself skimming pages to find ones I thought really stood out.  It does have good wordplay and definitely plenty of imagination in which kids may find themselves giggling at or laughing out loud to.  There is a mixture of long poems and short poems with a variety of topics and animals. It is just plain fun to be silly for a moment or two!  It could fit for an elementary poetry unit nicely by choosing certain poems you like best and reading out loud. The kids could even make up their own imaginary animal poem with an illustration for a fun classroom share. I think this is a "just right book" for grades 2-5.~


Title: I've Lost My Hippopotamus
Author: Jack Prelutsky, illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic
Pub. date: March 2012, Greenwillow Books
Genre: poetry

Hardcover, 144 pages

I Didn't Do It review

What makes a puppy's day complete?
Swimming and then shaking water all over you. Catching "presents" for you and then bringing them inside the house. Rolling in your nice wool sweater. Snuggling in your lap. In their second ode to canine companions, Patricia MacLachlan, Emily MacLachlan Charest, and Katy Schneider once again offer an irresistible glimpse into the mischievous canine mind.  (goodreads summary)


This is definitely a book for the puppy lover! The various poems are written from a puppy's cute perspective, along with the beautiful artful illustrations, this book gives a smile at every turn of the page. The text flows nicely and filled with heartwarming thoughts I know any dog would say if they had the chance.  Each picture and poem captures the innocence of those adorable pups and is truly a book for reading aloud and enjoying. It does have humor at times and my favorite poem was "What Did I Do", where the puppy brings a chipmunk into the house for its' owner as a present. I hope I will see a book written about kittens soon. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-8.~

Title: I Didn't Do It
Author: Patricia MacLachlan & Emily MacLachlan Charest
Illustrator: Katy Schneider
Pub. date: October 2010, Katherine Tegan Books
Genre: picture book, poetry
Hardcover, 32 pgs.