If I Could Choose a Best Day: Poems of Possibility

This hopeful poetry collection edited by The Mistakes That Made Us collaborators Latham and Waters examines how one builds self-confidence through adventure (and a little bit of magic). Showcasing the work of 31 contemporary and historical poets, including Emily Dickinson, Nikki Grimes, and the volume’s editors, this cozy work, divided into four categories—Everyday Magic, The Power of You, Kinfolk and Companions, Anything Is Possible—invites children to “unlock the door to possibility” and dream about the power of “if.” Stanzas such as “If means there is no limit,/ If means forget before,/ If means all is possible/ Because if means the world is yours” from JaNay Brown-Wood’s “The Gift of If” encourage readers to push the boundaries of their imagination and strive for the impossible, while imaginative language ripe with whimsy (“Grab the stars and let moonlight dance inside you,” from Teresa Owens Smith’s “Opening Windows”) bring a playful edge to the assemblage. Cut-paper and painted-mosaic illustrations by Sua (Uno Más, One More)—rendered in a muted color palette that conveys calm tranquility—reinforce the positive messaging with folk art–like warmth. Characters are depicted with varying skin tones. Ages 7–10. Authors’ agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. Illustrator’s agent: Taylor Martindale-Kean, Full Circle Literary. (Mar.)