All the Wild Wonders

Gr 2—5—Poets included in this volume range from John Milton to Ogden Nash. The selections are all about the fragility of the planet, taking care of its various creatures, and being diligent now to ensure a bountiful future. Length varies; one poem fills a spread while another by William Blake is only two lines long. Taken as a whole, the book is a cautionary tale. The illustrations, done in pencil and watercolors, are simple and uncluttered and appear on white backgrounds. Done in a folk-art style with many exaggerated features and sizes, the pictures do a lot to enhance the mood of each poem. The people depicted are diverse, which is apt for a book that is an anthem to the world. This is a lovely book for family sharing or to introduce ecology units.—Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI