Pleasant Poetry 

A small list of poetry surely to leave a pleasant mark on your mind. 

Yes! We are Latinos! 

 

Flor Ada, Alma and Campoy, Isabel. Illustrated by David Diaz. Yes! We are Latinos! Charlesbridge 2013. $9.95. 96 pages. ISBN 1580895492. 

Meant to celebrate and learn about Latino culture, this collection does just that. A wonderful into to the collection itself breaks down some questions readers may have, then moves along to the poetry. Some poems, some stories, all filled with enlightenment. This collection is a little longer because of the mix of short stories and poems. This is definitely directed to some older readers, but I could see them still feeling denoted by the amount of pages. A fabulous look into Latino culture and a great learning tool for those who are not familiar. 

Wet Cement 

Raczka, Bob. Wet Cement. Roaring Book Press 2016. $18.99. 48 pages. ISBN 1626722366.

Wet Cement is more than a collection of poems. As Raczka likes to think, concrete poems are “poems are word paintings.” And Raczka does just that. Although a little difficult for younger readers to fully comprehend, it is a great way to see how the words coincide with each poem on the side. These word paintings are fun and enjoyable to hear with its classic rhythm and rhyme tied up into its own painting. Every page transforms into more than just a poem. A painting may speak a thousand words, but Racka’s word paintings write even more. 

Delicious! 

Larios, Julie. Illustrated by Julie Paschkis. Delicious! Beach Lane Books, 2021.$15.85. 32 pages. ISBN 1534453776.

In this international menu of goodies, Larios writes a short and sweet poem that coincides with wherever in the world the food is from. With absolutely beautiful illustrations for Paschkis that pop right off the page, Larios’ words shine. Surrounded by easter eggs of culture from each location, this collection of poems is fun and short and easily accessible way to share different kinds of food around the world. 

In the Land of Words 

Greenfield, Eloise. Illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrest. In the Land of Words: New and Selected Poems. Harper Children’s, 2004. $11.96. 48 pages. ISBN 0060289937. 

In this simplistic collection of poetry, Greenfield gives a little peak into what's inside her head. Thoughts and memories soar through the pages built around Spivery Gilchrest’s embroidered and felt-like images. Although too simple at times, this collection is a great start for younger children to get a grasp on poetry. Some with more complex form make the reader's mind drift into their own world of poetry possibilities. The quiet take on the poems and the intricate detail of the illustrations make this collection wonderful.