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A spider is a “never-tangling dangling spinner / knitting angles, trapping dinner.” A tree frog proposes, “Marry me. Please marry me… / Pick me now. / Make me your choice. / I’m one great frog / with one strong voice.” VanDerwater lets the denizens of the forest speak for themselves in twenty-six lighthearted, easy-to-read poems. As she observes, “Silence in Forest / never lasts long. / Melody / is everywhere / mixing in / with piney air. / Forest has a song.” The graceful, appealing watercolor illustrations perfectly suit these charming poems that invite young readers into the woodland world at every season.
About the author
Amy Ludwig VanDerwater is a poet whose work has appeared in magazines and children's anthologies as well as picture books. She earned her MA degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University, and teaches writing in schools nationwide and at her blog, The Poem Farm. Amy lives in Holland, New York, with her family, animals, and books. Visit her online at amyludwigvanderwater.com, on Twitter @amylvpoemfarm, and on Instagram @amyludwigvanderwater.
Summary
A spider is a “never-tangling dangling spinner / knitting angles, trapping dinner.” A tree frog proposes, “Marry me. Please marry me… / Pick me now. / Make me your choice. / I’m one great frog / with one strong voice.” VanDerwater lets the denizens of the forest speak for themselves in twenty-six lighthearted, easy-to-read poems. As she observes, “Silence in Forest / never lasts long. / Melody / is everywhere / mixing in / with piney air. / Forest has a song.” The graceful, appealing watercolor illustrations perfectly suit these charming poems that invite young readers into the woodland world at every season.
Additional text
"Moving gracefully through the seasons, newcomer VanDerwater shares a girl's experience of what the forest has to offer."
—Publishers Weekly
"The imagery is fresh and original; it's accessible, too. Watercolor images of each poem's subject add to the appeal."
—Kirkus
"Dip into this appealing collection for an introduction to early nature studies or poetry writing, or for generating some well-deserved enthusiasm for a stroll in the great outdoors."
—Booklist
"The verses are approachable for readers and vivid for readaloud listeners, so this is a title with a broad spread of possible use. Even if there's no nearby forest, just have the kids close their eyes, listen to the poetry, and imagine that there is."
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"The book is an inviting tour for those who enjoy observing the natural world through poetry."
—School Library Journal
