Subtitled Celebrating Poets and Poetry, this marvelous collection is suitable for all ages. The poems, written by Alexander, Chris Colderley, and Marjory Wentworth, are supplemented with stunning illustrations by Ekua Holmes.

Like all great poems, each contains many layers. Young children, including my preschooler grandchildren, can enjoy the music of the words and universal subjects, such as this homage to Robert Frost by Wentworth which begins:

In every season I have wandered
on paths that wind through fields and woods . . .

Older children and adolescents will see themselves, too, in poems ranging from the celebration of Rumi to the tribute to Gwendolyn Brooks.

Walk out of your room
beneath the morning sky;
let the sun enter your heart,
. . .
Make a song from the light
falling through the air,
and dance even when
you are alone . . .

—from “Spin a Song,” by Marjory Wentworth

Bronzeville lady
Way past cool
Voice like butter
Melting blues . . .

—from “Hue and Cry,” by Kwame Alexander

Older teens and adults will thrill to the intricate construction of the book. In the first of three parts, the authors contribute works written using the style and rhythm of the selected poet. In the second part, the poems “incorporate the feelings and themes” of each poet. The last part, titled Thank You, includes poems about the poet being honored, such as this one celebrating William Carlos Williams that begins:

the hurried days
of two lives
crammed
into one

a modest man
in Rutherford
New Jersey
a doctor poet . . .

—from “No Idle Days,” by Chris Colderley

I find it hard to imagine the courage necessary to take on this threefold challenge, and applaud the authors not only for taking it on but for accomplishing it so brilliantly.

Older readers will also enjoy the secret notes in the colorful illustrations, unnoticed at first but when seen add yet more layers to the poem, such as this one celebrating Chief Dan George where a forest scene holds rocks and rivers, swirling leaves and woodland creatures, including the poet.

. . . Listen to the rivers,
the raven’s song,
the woodpecker’s knock,
and your beating heart.

Walk softly, mind
the leaves dancing
in shaky hands
of an old maple . . .

—from “For Our Children’s Children,” by Chris Colderley

The book is designed to introduce readers of all ages to these twenty poets and their work, inspiring us to explore more of their work, and that of other poets. I heartily recommend it.

What book has made you want to read more about the subject?