"Hill’s illustrations are bright and breezy, loose, and beachy. First-person narration from the child’s perspective lends an open, curious tone that may inspire readers to be close observers and try their hands at poetry, too. VERDICT A gentle but formidable addition to picture book collections everywhere; as nuanced as a poem, it spells out as much as it withholds and leaves readers with questions they’ll be inspired to try to answer themselves." — School Library Journal (starred review)
"[A] dreamy introduction to the art and craft of writing [from] late Newbery Medalist MacLachlan. Lucy’s quiet joy in learning to find her own words, encouraged by the poet, is uplifting for anyone who has engaged in creative process. This inviting book reads as an ode to the late poet Mary Oliver, the Cape, and new undertakings." — Publishers Weekly
"A love of words, walks, and a watery natural landscape highlight an intergenerational friendship in this posthumously published picture book from Newbery winner MacLachlan. Hill's blowsy, light-washed pictures capture the area's magic. A sweet paean to inspiration and contemplation." — Booklist
PRAISE FOR THE HUNDRED-YEAR BARN: “In meditative prose, Newbery-winner MacLachlan commemorates the life of a great barn. MacLachlan and Pak invite readers into the rhythms of the small family farm and important moments, small and great, over a century of its life.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“This quiet tale captures the rhythm of rural life throughout seasons—and then over generations. MacLachlan weaves in an abundance of details that will appeal to children with no firsthand experience with farming. A cozy filter through which to imagine growing up.” — Kirkus Reviews
“MacLachlan pays tribute to a symbol of the American farm. Watercolor, gouache, pencil, ink, and digital media in browns, tans, and cinnamon, enable the red of the cap and the barn to stand out. The solid building at the heart of the farm offers comfort and continuity in the life of a family.” — Booklist
Praise for CHICKEN TALK: “Krosoczka’s expressive illustrations bring humor and tenderness to each character, human and chicken. MacLachlan’s latest models an attentive, loving, and respectful relationship between humans and their animal companions that even those without articulate pets will appreciate. A sweet, silly...celebration of individuality and connection.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Artwork by Krosoczka (Hey, Kiddo) uses softly sketched lines and gentle farmyard hues to provide a sense of the farm’s peace and the chickens’ cleverness. MacLachlan (My Father’s Words) offers droll dialogue, a bucolic setting, and a spirited defense of animals as distinct beings with unacknowledged powers of observation.” — Publishers Weekly
Praise for THE POET’S DOG: “Magical. A quiet, elegant, poignant story suffused with humor, heart, and goodness.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“A spare, moving tale. Using simple words that even youngest readers will understand and enjoy, MacLachlan tackles subjects such as death and mourning with understated grace." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Readers will find their own jewel in this gem of a book.” — Booklist (starred review)
"Poets find words everywhere. This quiet, gentle tale suggests that evocative language emerges when one opens oneself to commonplace visual, auditory, and tactile experiences all around. Doing so invites rich streams of wonderful words—hence, poetry. Children enjoy toying with language, and this book validates their playful enjoyment of and experiments with wordplay. A fun follow-up to a classroom or library read-aloud could include having children describe familiar objects in imaginative, poetic ways. The simple, endearing gouache illustrations ably suit the narrative. Will empower kids to realize they, too, can be poets." — Kirkus Reviews
★ 10/01/2022
K-Gr 2—Lucy, who is white, lives next door to a poet; as the two wander the farmers' market, beach, and boat house on the first day of summer vacation, they observe the natural world and transform it into words. With notebook and pen, Lucy is still trying to get the hang of it, while (readers learn from the author's note) her slender companion, a white woman with short gray hair, is based on Mary Oliver. Lucy observes the poet as much as the strawberries, stones, and spiderwebs they see: "Does she untangle the sound of/ aspen leaves/ blowing in the wind/ into words?" Hill's illustrations are bright and breezy, loose, and beachy; the poet's dogs—one black, one white—are on nearly every page. At home in the evening, Lucy writes a short poem of her own, about a stone the poet gave her on the beach. First-person narration from the child's perspective lends an open, curious tone that may inspire readers to be close observers and try their hands at poetry, too. VERDICT Even without the author's note, this is a gentle but formidable addition to picture book collections everywhere; as nuanced as a poem, it spells out as much as it withholds and leaves readers with questions they'll be inspired to try to answer themselves.—Jenny Arch
2022-06-08
Poets find words everywhere.
Lucy, a young child, and an older neighbor whom Lucy calls “my poet” look for words as they walk together on the first day of summer vacation. Lucy notes that the poet—inspired by poet Mary Oliver—uses rich language to describe objects, and Lucy wonders where the poet’s words and ideas come from. Lucy ponders and closely observes the poet. Narrated by Lucy in first person, this quiet, gentle tale suggests that evocative language emerges when one opens oneself to commonplace visual, auditory, and tactile experiences all around. Doing so invites rich streams of wonderful words—hence, poetry. Lucy demonstrates an understanding of this principle while waxing poetic at the sight of a web-spinning spider. The poet acknowledges that she appreciates Lucy’s effort. “You’re finding your words,” she tells the child. As “proof,” the book concludes with a lovely poem from Lucy. The late MacLachlan’s sweet, quiet story will work best for contemplative readers. Children enjoy toying with language, and this book validates their playful enjoyment of and experiments with wordplay. A fun follow-up to a classroom or library read-aloud could include having children describe familiar objects in imaginative, poetic ways. The simple, endearing gouache illustrations ably suit the narrative. The protagonists are light-skinned; other characters are diverse. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Will empower kids to realize they, too, can be poets. (author’s note) (Picture book. 5-8)
