LITTLE POEMS FOR TINY EARS

Twenty-three original, first-person poems for the very young.

Following a multiethnic cast of little ones through their day and highlighting highchairs, strollers and other important objects in their lives, Oliver pens a set of poems tailor-made for tiny ears and minds. She quietly marvels at the wonder of toes: “Way down there at the end of my feet, / I’ve got ten toes; they’re really sweet. / I can count them, make them wiggle. / When they’re tickled, watch me giggle…. / I’ll bet that you have ten toes too. / Can you count them like I do?” The simple definition of sneeze is spun with whimsy: “A sneeze / Is a breeze / In / Your / Nose.” Throughout, the poems compel gentle caresses and interaction between adult and child. Varied rhythm and rhyme schemes enrich a baby’s exploration of sound at the time when his or her developing mind needs it most. DePaola’s round-faced babes, colored with delicate shading and cozy acrylics, wrap readers in warmth, while the square frames and initial letters mimic childhood blocks, bringing a touch of comfort and nostalgia to the package.

A tenderly crafted collection that captures the joyous individual moments of infant discoveries.