You’re a Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems

Five engaging segments that star an overalls-wearing piglet provide the framework for approachable poetry-writing lessons in this joyfully creative work. The book’s first section finds Piglet on a country walk with his mother. When hopping into a puddle prompts descriptive words to splash out (“SUNSHINY EARTHY WET”), Piglet’s mother observes that he has made a poem, and the youth begins to recognize and create new works. Each imagination- stoking chapter takes a different approach to writing poetry; in one, Piglet witnesses the ocean’s moods, both “as loud as a stomping monster” and “as quiet as a baby breathing.” The text later guides readers to an exercise on “comparing poems,” complete with a “writing secrets” segment. Usher’s soft watercolor and ink scenes match the gentleness of Taylor’s sweet tales about Piglet and his newfound play in this title for budding poets. Ages 3–7. (Mar.)