Bow-Tie Pasta: Acrostic Poems

Humorous acrostic poems are the focus of this addition to the Poetry Adventures series, following books about haiku, concrete poems, and limericks. More than two dozen poems celebrate everything from locations (Kansas, India) to colors (yellow, purple) and animals (triceratops, spider), suggesting that poetic inspiration can come from just about anywhere. “Tiny beads of water suggest your steamy essence,” reads an offbeat tribute to the hotdog, while the lines of a more serious-minded poem spell out the word mother: “Mom, you’re there with/ Outstretched arms,/ To nurture, love, and guide me.” Full of silly moments, Rowland’s cartoons are as approachable as Cleary’s rhymes, making this a fine, funny lead-in to readers’ own acrostic explorations. Ages 7–11. (Nov.)