AMAZING FACES

Faces and the emotions they reveal are the focus for this appealing but uneven poetry collection. Some selections, like the poem by Rebecca Kai Dotlich that looks ahead to a baby’s possible life experiences or Prince Redcloud’s brief but moving description of a young soldier’s return home, are decidedly adult in tone. Others, like Nikki Grimes’s endearing portrait of a caring teacher or the wistful musings of a young boy ignored by his classmates from Jude Mandell, will be accessible to much younger readers and listeners. Still others feel a bit forced, as if they are trying too hard to fit the designated theme, or, worse, seem out of place entirely. Luckily, Soentpiet’s light-filled portraits and charming crowd scenes bring the characters and settings to life. Realistic, if somewhat idealized, the watercolor illustrations also provide a strong sense of continuity even as they showcase individuals from a variety of cultures. Undeniably attractive and potentially useful in a classroom setting but ultimately less than the sum of its parts, this collection may struggle to find an appreciative audience. (Poetry. 7-10)