What is poetry? Is it glistening morning dew? Spider thinks so. Is it crisp leaves crunching? That's what Squirrel says. Could it be a cool pond, sun-warmed sand, or moonlight on the grass? Maybe poetry is all of these things, as it is something special for everyone--you just have to take the time to really look and listen. The magical thing is that poetry is in everyone, and Daniel is on his way to discovering a poem of his own after spending time with his animal friends. What is poetry? If you look and listen, it's all around you!
"Rich, multilayered collages illuminate a celebration of nature's beauty. . . . A story like this might take place in the country, but in setting hers in a large urban park, Archer asserts that poetry and nature belong to city children, too."--Publishers Weekly
"Atmospheric and evocative collage illustrations enhance the sense of peace and contentment shared by Daniel and his animal friends. . . . Readers who revel in the everyday small miracles in nature will identify with Daniel and appreciate this lyrical story."--School Library Journal
"Fetching testament to the maxim that 'poetry is all around us.' . . . Glorious flora and handsomely textured rocks are abundant. . . . The lush oil illustrations, which consist of collages made from tissue paper and patterned with handmade stamps, create a world saturated in color and texture, complementing the animals' well-chosen words about beauty and poetry in the natural world. Readers will take many repeat visits to Daniel's inviting park."--Booklist
"Beautifully illustrated. . . . A fantastic book to read aloud in the library or in the classroom to kick off a poetry unit or to celebrate National Poetry Month. Kindergarten teachers could even use this book to teach the days of the week, or for students to learn about different kinds of animals."--School Library Connection