A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes and Poems. illus. by Frann Preston-Gannon. 96p. (Nosy Crow Classics). Nosy Crow. Oct. 2025. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9798887772035.
Toddler-K–This extensive collection of nursery rhymes and poems is a visual delight, beautifully illustrated in a bold palette that will engage toddlers and older children alike. Each spread connects images to words seamlessly, allowing for better comprehension with younger readers. This collection is a treasure trove of traditional nursery rhymes, both well-known and more obscure. Occasional movement and action instructions add additional depth to the work, offering adults more opportunity to engage with young children and grow literacy skills. An index provides an additional layer of usefulness and makes inclusion into story time or classroom activities easy for educators. This title is a nice way to incorporate poetry into the school week with short and manageable works. VERDICT A well-illustrated collection of nursery rhymes that would make an excellent addition to a library or classroom.–Elizabeth Speer

Bramer, Shannon. Nightmare Jones: poems. illus. by Cindy Derby. 56p. Groundwood. Oct. 2025. Tr $14.99. ISBN 9781773069463.
Gr 5 Up–An eerie, yet magical world, similar to Alvin Schwartz’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. The poems feel as if Schwartz teamed up with Shel Silverstein. Some, like “Dollhouse Spiders” and “The Truth about Worms,” may help ease the fear of spiders and bring a new appreciation to the typically unloved worms. The creative “Welcome to Persephone’s ”is similar in feeling to Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, but more child-appropriate. Abstract watercolor art seamlessly accompanies each poem, especially with “Four Seasons in a Witch’s Garden. ” The book starts with more upbeat poems; then, towards the back, more melancholic poems and those incorporating themes of grief appear. VERDICT A great book for readers who like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, fans of Mary Downing Hahn, and anyone looking to darken their reads a little bit.–Autumn West

Cummings, E. E. when the world is puddle-wonderful. illus. by Blanca Gómez. 32p. Norton. Oct. 2025. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781324086871.
K-Gr 3–The possibilities of language are endless in Cummings’s avant-garde poetic universe. His deconstructivist approach to poetry plays with conventions of syntax, punctuation, typography, structure, and form—a literary equivalent of Marcel Duchamp’s urinal-as-art Fountain. The poems in this collection are carefully chosen to appeal to a young audience and speak to many joys of childhood such as seasons, holidays, and nature. There is a bit of a mismatch in the sophistication of the writing style and the presumed audience of this title. It takes a firm grip on traditional language structures to really understand how and why they are dismantled. Still, there are bright linguistic moments that connect to the early childhood worldview, like “newlY” (newborn), “spangles” (ornaments), and “puddle-wonderful” to name a few. Illustrations are a cheery blend of geometric shapes, primary colors, and mid-century modern patterning. The artwork is essential in creating context for young learners’ comprehension of the poems. VERDICT A great resource for educators exploring the unconventional world of Modernist poetry, this is a recommended addition to libraries.–Sarah Simpson

Engle, Margarita. Hopeful Heroes. illus. by Juliet Menéndez. 48p. Holt/Godwin. Sept. 2025. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781250313942.
Gr 4-8–A celebration of historical figures from across Latin America who inspire in their resilience and self-determination. The wide scope of this collection spans centuries and countries, from the intellectual achievements of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz to the Olympic medals of Ramón Fonst Segundo as well as the artistic environmental activism of Nicolás García Uriburu. The diversity of these poems never feels scattershot because Engle threads consistent themes through. No matter when the subjects lived or what they did, Engle highlights their creativity, dignity, and the impact they had on their worlds. Accompanying Engle’s direct, concentrated free verse with similar power, Menéndez’s full-page illustrations blend blocky, mural-like characterizations with vibrant colors as bold as the lives of the heroes. War, conquest, violence, and destruction are referenced, but not described in depth. Brief biographical notes in the back matter provide additional context. These people followed their own visions, and in doing so, stood up for themselves, their landscapes, their cultures, and their people. Two poems, instead of focusing on one hero, celebrate the collective of “many people” spanning “many centuries, many cultures” and “modern times, many nations. ” The message is clear: Latin America’s past and present are filled with individuals whose examples can inspire readers in pursuing their passions today. VERDICT An uplifting collection of Latinx heroes united by their tenacity, ideal for those in need of inspiration.–Kate Stadt

González, Xelena. Of the Sun: A Poem for the Land’s First Peoples. illus. by Emily Kewageshig. 32p. Barefoot. Aug. 2025. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9798888596500.
K-Gr 4–A short, powerful poem celebrating the Indigenous peoples of the Americas and their deep connections to the land. It begins with the birth of a child and flows through the exploration of history, politics, and culture for various Native peoples of North and South America. At times the narrative flow of the poem can be clunky, so it might be best served as a well-rehearsed read-aloud. However, the messaging is always clear and strong, emphasizing the depth of the Indigenous peoples’ ties to the land and the pride of their heritage. Complementing the power of the message is the stunning artwork by Kewageshig (Anishinaabe), who sweeps saturated colors and vibrant images across every page. The end includes warm notes from the author and illustrator, offering young readers both affection and encouragement. A map is annotated with more specific information about particular groups, including their traditions and some historical notes. VERDICT A solid addition to every collection, expanding on texts by Indigenous authors.–Kaitlin Malixi

Mole, Simon. Wriggle and Buzz: My First Book of Bugs. illus. by Adam Ming. 80p. Candlewick. Aug. 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781536238877.
Gr 1-5–A poetic tour through the world of insects and critters that is at turns gross, surprising, and just plain wonderful. The book is divided into three sections: “Meet the Bugs,” “Beautiful Beasts,” and “Working Together. ” Many of the more familiar bugs are represented—ladybugs are here, as are earthworms and bumblebees. But a fair number of the bugs featured are lesser-known and often surprising. Readers will be amazed by the bug that shoots a toxic fluid from its rear end and another that builds houses made of sticks on its back. Expect readers to want to look up more facts about the strange and bizarre bugs featured here. The poems vary in length and format, but all are vivid and well-done. Mixed-media illustrations have a nicely textured, cut-paper look. An extremely helpful section in the back clears up the often confused distinction of which crawly critters are classified as insects and which are arachnids, crustaceans, myriapods, etc. There are also pages with suggestions of things children can do to protect bugs and their habitats. VERDICT A first choice for most libraries; come for the poems about familiar bugs, stay for the mind-blowing facts.–Allison McLean

Sidman, Joyce. Dear Acorn (Love, Oak): Letter Poems to Friends. illus. by Melissa Sweet. 40p. HarperCollins/Clarion. Sept. 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780358334767.
PreS-Gr 3–A collage of connective poems told from the point of view of an oak tree to its fallen acorn and vice versa, from a brick to its school house and vice versa, and between more big and small pairs. The message of how the community ecosystem supports another is prevalent in each poetic duo of connectedness, up through the final poem from the point of view of the ocean “to all my creatures. ” Artwork is a mixed media of collage, vintage papers, and watercolor that fill the entire book with warmth and rich color. Each poem is written as a letter poem, and the back matter shares instructions to readers on how they can compose their own. VERDICT An excellent purchase for library collections where poetry and nature books are popular.–Molly Dettmann

Taylor, Sean. Five Little Friends: A Collection of Finger Rhymes. illus. by Fiona Woodcock. 64p. Candlewick. Aug. 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781536242911.
PreS-Gr 3–Sometimes a poem can be felt in the soul, and sometimes it can be felt in the fingertips! This collection features 35 fun poems that can be acted out with fingers and hands. From a splashy ship sailing to a playful baby penguin, these poems invoke a dynamic way to combine words and body movement. The artwork is beautifully illustrated with softened bright colors and clear depictions of hands, animals, children, and the seasons. Each poem rhymes and has a singsong rhythm to it. With so many poems to choose from, this could make an excellent book to read from cover to cover, or to pick favorite words and movements to act out in music or physical education classes. VERDICT An excellent purchase for elementary library collections where poetry and texts that encourage physical activity are needed.–Molly Dettmann

Wolf, Allan. The Gift of the Broken Teacup: Poems of Mindfulness, Meditation, and Me. illus. by Jade Orlando. 64p. Candlewick. Jul. 2025. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781536228953.
Gr 2-5–This volume of poetry offers 30 opportunities for readers to be present with the words and imagery of creative duo Wolf and Orlando. The book is loosely organized into thirds, beginning with a section titled “Mindfulness,” followed by “Meditation,” which includes poetry about yoga and walking meditation. A final third section is labeled “Me. ” Narrators of the poems sometimes appear as a didactic adult persona in poems like “You Be You,” “How To Turn Worry Into Wonder,” and “Angry? Act it Out!” Other times the voice is that of a child, as in “I Write Myself Down!” and “Betsy Best, My Best Worst Friend. ” Individually, the poems have the capacity to teach and charm, but may appeal more to educators. While there’s no denying the talent of the author and illustrator, the pairings attempt to strike a balance of the anodyne poetry of an American generalist seeking to impart lessons of Buddhism with a visual artist known for her ability to create harmonious imagery depicting community and belonging. VERDICT Recommended for elementary collections where mindfulness-based stress reduction and social-emotional learning through yoga and meditation are popular.–Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Todd, Traci N., sel. This Is Not A Small Voice: Poems by Black Poets. illus. by Jade Orlando. 128p. Nosy Crow. Sept. 2025. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9798887772042.
Gr 1-5–Poems by authors ranging from Langston Hughes to Nikki Grimes focus on Black experiences. From the loving comfort of a grandma braiding a child’s hair to the terror of being a 13-year-old stopped by a cop on the street, the poems cover African gods, historical figures, the environment, and everyday activities, with an emphasis on Black joy. Each spread incorporates one to three poems into full-color, watercolor illustrations. The drawings explode with exuberance, showing people in varying shades of black and brown: children dressed for Carnival dancing on a rainbow; a stunning negative space drawing with the silhouette of a girl filled with nature scenes, flanked by poems on either side; and a few drawings showing only nature or animals. The afterword is divided into two sections; one on culture and connection discusses the African diaspora, while the other focuses on civil rights movements in the United States and United Kingdom. Both sections provide insight and details on some of the poems selected. Indexes by author, title, and first lines of the poems make it easy to locate a specific poem or poet. VERDICT A strong first buy. This stellar combination of poetry and art draws readers into the wide experiences of being Black.–Tamara Saarinen