Write! Write! Write!

January 20, 2020
Following their poetic tribute to reading, Read! Read! Read!, VanDerwater and O’Rourke return with a collection of 22 poems about writers and their craft. VanDerwater, via various poetic forms, covers familiar motifs—starting out (“First: Find a place”), overcoming writer’s block (“Ideas spread like wildflowers/ when you move your hand”), and editing (“I read again. What do I see?/ Superfluous apostrophe?”)—alongside broader explorations of drafting. O’Rourke’s lightsome artwork, rendered in oil paints and colored digitally, features paper doll–like children of various skin tones embodying their accompanying poems, sometimes surreally: one child draws a dragon in midair with a magical pen, another picks glowing gems from an idea tree. The poems are by turns amusing and thoughtful, and their examination of the writing process will be particularly useful to educators. Ages 5–9.

March 1, 2020

Gr 2-6-This beautiful compendium of poems that celebrates the written word is a joy to share with young writers. The cleverly illustrated picture book contains 22 poems, all written in different styles and meters. There is sure to be a poem within these pages that appeals to every reader. "If I Were an Octopus" is a speculative quatrain that is surrounded by the colorful, undersea renderings of O'Rourke. "Ideas (like Peaches)" is simply magical in all aspects-the "ideas" growing on the tree glow like enormous, unique, sparkling jewels, and the verse itself encourages readers to gather supplies and begin their own adventure by "pick[ing] [an idea] like a peach." VanDerwater's "Revision Is..." will strike a chord with young writers as it is honest about how mixed-up the never-ending cycle of revision can make a writer feel...even though it can be "a little bit fun" too! Each poem celebrates parts of the writing process; the illustrations add depth to their meaning. O'Rourke even captures the spirit of the little sister in "My Little Sister Writes" by depicting the scene in a scratchy crayon picture, reminiscent of one done by the three-year-old subject. The poems could also be shared with and appeal to older, independent readers. This collection would be well used as a mentor text for poetry writing in the upper elementary grades. VERDICT While this may not be the flashiest book on the shelf, it is an exceedingly well-written and illustrated addition to any collection that serves young readers and writers.-Shannon O'Connor, Unami Middle School, Chalfont, PA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2020
Both technique and imaginative impulse can be found in this useful selection of poems about the literary art. Starting with the essentials of the English language, the letters of "Our Alphabet," the collection moves through 21 other poems of different types, meters, and rhyme schemes. This anthology has clear classroom applications, but it will also be enjoyed by individual readers who can pore carefully over playful illustrations filled with diverse children, butterflies, flowers, books, and pieces of writing. Tackling various parts of the writing process, from "How To Begin" through "Revision Is" to "Final Edit," the poems also touch on some reasons for writing, like "Thank You Notes" and "Writing About Reading." Some of the poems are funny, as in the quirky, four-line "If I Were an Octopus": "I'd grab eight pencils. / All identical. / I'd fill eight notebooks. / One per tentacle." An amusing undersea scene dominated by a smiling, orangy octopus fills this double-page spread. Some of the poems are more focused (and less lyrical) than others, such as "Final Edit" with its ending stanzas: "I check once more to guarantee / all is flawless as can be. / Careless errors will discredit / my hard work. / That's why I edit. / But I don't like it. / There I said it." At least the poet tries for a little humor in those final lines. Here's hoping this will inspire many children to joyfully engage in writing. (Picture book/poetry. 7-10)

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March 1, 2020
Grades 1-3 This delightful poetry collection introduces young readers to a cornucopia of forms and processes, guiding aspiring writers through brainstorming, revision, editing, and sharing their work. VanDerwater includes different types of poems, from heroic couplets to chants to acrostic puzzles, inspiring budding poets to push past writer's block and be confident in expressing their valuable thoughts. Alongside the upbeat, flowing verse are vibrant, whimsical illustrations from O'Rourke, whose inclusive artwork showcases a variety of children, animals, and other creatures enjoying reading and writing. This book teaches that writing is cultivated through process rather than instant gratification, that plant[ing] a writing seed is like inventing, composing, or molding?it takes time, effort, and care to create something new. The author also praises poetry as a form of imagination growth, travel, and self-exploration: the words on the shelf / leading me deep / into books and myself. From cheerful couplets to meditations and songs, this successfully champions its tagline, Writing is for everyone. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)