YOU'RE A POET

Taylor weaves lessons on writing verse into several stories about a young pig.

In five lighthearted tales, Piglet learns what poems are, then discovers ideas for constructing them based on observation and imagination. Each of Piglet’s adventures concludes with more information on the kind of poem he’s learned to write, as well as tips for readers. In the first story, Piglet and his mom enjoy a hilly hike. When Piglet drops a stone in a puddle, words like sunshiny and sploshing splash out. When he recites them, his mom exclaims, “Piglet…that’s a poem!” After several more word bursts occur, Mom emphasizes that poems contain a poet’s “true words.” Taylor then introduces a mapping technique for arraying descriptive words around a subject. In the next tale, Piglet accompanies his best friend, Squirrel, on a family vacation to the beach. The ocean is thunderous on a wild, windy day, then quietly calm the next. The friends think of metaphors to describe the sea on each day, correctly speculating that they’ve created a poem. Taylor’s ensuing lesson, “A Comparing Poem,” helps readers identify two opposite qualities, then encourages them to think up four metaphors for each. Subsequent sections introduce personification (“A Making-a-Person-Out-of-Something Poem”) and direct address (“An I-Would-Give-You Poem”). Usher’s watercolor illustrations provide charming details for both Piglet’s lively excursions and the clearly expressed, jargon-free writing exercises.

Appealing pictures, an engaging throughline, and solid guidance will inspire young poets.