Thanku: Poems of Gratitude, edited by Miranda Paul, is to celebrate thankfulness through poetry. There is no introduction, however, on the book flap, it reads, “Gratitude isn’t something we need to save up for a special holiday. What are you thankful for right now, today?” This anthology brings together a diverse, heartfelt exploration of gratitude, making it a valuable addition to poetry collections for young readers. The compiler, Miranda Paul, the co-founder of We Need Diverse Books, is a well-regarded children’s book author with experience in curating literature for young audiences. Intended for primarily children, this collection can also be appreciated by families and readers of all ages. I found myself loving each poem I read wanting to share them with my family. The poems are age-appropriate, using accessible language while still encouraging deep thought. Some poems are focused on the tradition of Thanksgiving, but most could be used year-round in classroom discussions, library storytimes, or as a way to introduce children to poetry and the concept of gratitude.
The Thanku anthology features poems from a variety of authors. They range from traditional forms to
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Greenfield, E. (2004). In the land of words: New and selected poems. HarperCollins.
In the Land of Words, by Eloise Greenfield, is a book written to celebrate the power of language and storytelling through poetry. In the introduction, Greenfield reflects on her love for words and their ability to just flow into her head. She writes about “a place where words live, where our minds and hearts can go to find them when we want to write–or read.” She invites the reader into this land for a visit.
The collection serves as both an inspiration for young readers and a showcase of Greenfield’s poetic talent. It offers a mix of her new and previously published works. Greenfield is an award-winning author and poet with a strong background in children's literature. She is the recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award, The Foundation for Children's Literature Hope S. Dean Award, and The National Council for the Social Studies Carter G. Woodson Award.
This collection was primarily written for children, though educators, parents, and librarians can also use it to introduce young readers to poetry. The poems are engaging, accessible, and rich in rhythm, making them well-suited for read-aloud sessions and classroom discussions. The poems range in themes from personal reflections to cultural heritage, creating a collection that is both familiar and fresh. While the selection is limited to one poet’s work, it still offers
variety in form, tone, and subject matter. The collection is separated into two parts: Part 1: The Poet/ The Poem and Part II: In the Land. The poems featured in Part I have a small blurb written by Greenfield about the meaning or theme of the poem and why she connects with it. Greenfield’s poems feature a structured and free verse mix, enhancing its appeal. Figurative language, including metaphors and personification, is used in a way that is both imaginative and accessible for young readers.
The illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist complement the poetry beautifully. Greenfield and Gilchrist have worked together on previous books. In the Land of Words, marks Gilchrist’s debut of her sewn fabric collages. Each illustration is stitched with meticulous care and attention to detail. Rather than serving as mere decoration, the artwork adds depth to the themes of the poems. This collection can be used to inspire young writers, foster a love of language, and encourage creativity in storytelling.
In the Land of Words, by Eloise Greenfield, is a book written to celebrate the power of language and storytelling through poetry. In the introduction, Greenfield reflects on her love for words and their ability to just flow into her head. She writes about “a place where words live, where our minds and hearts can go to find them when we want to write–or read.” She invites the reader into this land for a visit.
The collection serves as both an inspiration for young readers and a showcase of Greenfield’s poetic talent. It offers a mix of her new and previously published works. Greenfield is an award-winning author and poet with a strong background in children's literature. She is the recipient of the Coretta Scott King Award, The Foundation for Children's Literature Hope S. Dean Award, and The National Council for the Social Studies Carter G. Woodson Award.
This collection was primarily written for children, though educators, parents, and librarians can also use it to introduce young readers to poetry. The poems are engaging, accessible, and rich in rhythm, making them well-suited for read-aloud sessions and classroom discussions. The poems range in themes from personal reflections to cultural heritage, creating a collection that is both familiar and fresh. While the selection is limited to one poet’s work, it still offers
The illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist complement the poetry beautifully. Greenfield and Gilchrist have worked together on previous books. In the Land of Words, marks Gilchrist’s debut of her sewn fabric collages. Each illustration is stitched with meticulous care and attention to detail. Rather than serving as mere decoration, the artwork adds depth to the themes of the poems. This collection can be used to inspire young writers, foster a love of language, and encourage creativity in storytelling.
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What a fantastic poetry book! Wet Cement: A Mix of Concrete Poems by Bob Raczka is a creative collection of concrete poetry, where the shape of the poem reflects its subject. Its purpose is to showcase the possibilities of concrete poetry and engage young readers with visual wordplay. In the introduction, Raczka writes, “By cleverly arranging individual letters, you can also paint a picture on the page with a single word. In this case, the letters become your colors. In this book, I've done both. In the title of each poem, I've created pictures with letters. In the poems themselves, I've created pictures with words." Even the table of contents is in the shape of the capital letter “I.” The title page is located in the end matter and contains information in a spiral rather than listed in lines. The focus of this book is on the playful and artistic presentation of the words rather than structured navigation. The book was most likely designed for elementary to middle school students; however, the selections are engaging, playful, and well-suited for young readers, making poetry an interactive and visual experience. I read this cover-to-cover with my 8-year-old, and she loved it. Bob Raczka is an established author of children's poetry and art books. The collection features only Bob Raczka’s original poems that are inventive, each crafted into a unique shape that complements its subject.
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Firefly July: A Year of Very Short Poems is an anthology of brief, expressive poems selected by Paul B. Janeczko and illustrated by Melissa Sweet. This collection of short, vivid poems capture the essence of the four seasons. All poems are categorized into Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter. There is no introduction however, on the book jackets it reads, “It only takes a few words if they're the right words to create a strong image. Whether listened to in the comfort of a cozy lap or read independently, the thirty-six very short poems in this collection show readers young and old that a few perfect words and pictures can make the word glow.” The arrangement of the poems makes it clear that the book is meant to highlight nature and changing seasons. Paul B. Janeczko was a respected poet, writing over fifty collections. He was gifted anthologist with extensive experience curating poetry.
These poems are accessible and concise for young readers. The intended audience is children, likely preschool to early elementary students, but the book also appeals to older readers due to its rich language and layered meaning. The short length of the poems makes them engaging for young listeners, while the themes and imagery make them valuable for classroom discussions and poetry lessons. These poems are accessible and concise for all readers. They show, as stated above, with the right words, poems do not have to be long to be beautiful and meaningful. The anthology includes 36 poems from a variety of well-known poets, such as Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, and Carl Sandburg. 
The poems, both classic and contemporary, vary in style but are connected by their focus on nature. The collection features a mix of poetic forms, from free verse to haiku. Each poem offers a variety of sound patterns, rhythms, and meters, creating a rich auditory experience. Many use figurative language, including imagery, personification, and metaphor, to bring seasonal moments to life. The poems are arranged by season—Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter—allowing readers to experience the passing of time through poetry. There is a table of contents at the beginning, making it easy to locate specific poems. The seasonal arrangement creates a natural flow, enhancing the thematic connection between the selections.
Melissa Sweet, a talented artist, created illustrations that are colorful and whimsical. Using a combination of watercolor, gouache and mixed media, her illustrations effectively enhance the mood and meaning of the poems, reinforcing their themes rather than merely decorating the pages. The artwork is well-placed and so beautifully effective, the reader forgets that the illustrations were created by the poetry itself.
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