Poetry

 

I've always been stymied by poetry. Not as a reader, but as one who tried to write poetry in the past. I

 have felt that my words needed to rhyme or have a distinct rhythm or cadence. However, reading 

poetry is a breath of fresh air. It's as if what I am trying to say, but can't, seems so natural to the author. 

They have the ability to take thoughts, feelings, and words and put them so eloquently. 

A picture book of poetry that I recently read and absolutely loved is "Just 

Like Me" by Vanessa Brantley-Newton. The author is a self-taught 

illustrator, she's a doll maker and a crafter who studied fashion 

illustration and children's book illustration in New York. This book is a 

collection of poems filled with mini-stories about different types of girls-

girls who love their bodies and girls who don't, country girls, city girls, etc. 

The illustrations are bright with Vanessa's signature style of vibrant colors,

unique patterns, and fabrics. The following is one of my favorite lines from the book: 

I am a canvas

Being painted on

By the words of my family

Friends

and community

Another book that stuck out to me, mostly because of the title is " When Green 

Becomes Tomatoes" by Julie Fogliano and pictures by Julie Morstad. This is a 

collection of poems where seasons change from winter to fall. I love how the 

author takes you on a tour of the year through the seasons and evokes 

experiences that come with those changes. For example, standing on the 

oceans edge, anticipating sweater weather, and finding mud beneath the 

melting snow. The illustrator works with gouache paint and pencil. The illustrations are appealing 

and the cast of children are multiracial wearing scarves, swimsuits, pajamas, and parkas as they 

highlight small things-sprouting plants, etc that can cause big changes.