Write! Write! Write!

Here’s hoping this will inspire many children to joyfully engage in writing.

Following their poetic tribute to reading, Read! Read! Read!, VanDerwater and O'Rourke return with a collection of 22 poems about writers and their craft. VanDerwater, via various poetic forms, covers familiar motifs--starting out ("First: Find a place"), overcoming writer's block ("Ideas spread like wildflowers/ when you move your hand"), and editing ("I read again. What do I see?/ Superfluous apostrophe?")--alongside broader explorations of drafting. O'Rourke's lightsome artwork, rendered in oil paints and colored digitally, features paper doll-like children of various skin tones embodying their accompanying poems, sometimes surreally: one child draws a dragon in midair with a magical pen, another picks glowing gems from an idea tree. The poems are by turns amusing and thoughtful, and their examination of the writing process will be particularly useful to educators. Ages 5-9. (Mar.)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 2-6--This beautiful compendium of poems that celebrates the written word is a joy to share with young writers. The cleverly illustrated picture book contains 22 poems, all written in different styles and meters. There is sure to be a poem within these pages that appeals to every reader. "If I Were an Octopus" is a speculative quatrain that is surrounded by the colorful, undersea renderings of O'Rourke. "Ideas (like Peaches)" is simply magical in all aspects--the "ideas" growing on the tree glow like enormous, unique, sparkling jewels, and the verse itself encourages readers to gather supplies and begin their own adventure by "pick[ing] [an idea] like a peach." VanDerwater's "Revision Is..." will strike a chord with young writers as it is honest about how mixed-up the never-ending cycle of revision can make a writer feel...even though it can be "a little bit fun" too! Each poem celebrates parts of the writing process; the illustrations add depth to their meaning. O'Rourke even captures the spirit of the little sister in "My Little Sister Writes" by depicting the scene in a scratchy crayon picture, reminiscent of one done by the three-year-old subject. The poems could also be shared with and appeal to older, independent readers. This collection would be well used as a mentor text for poetry writing in the upper elementary grades. VERDICT While this may not be the flashiest book on the shelf, it is an exceedingly well-written and illustrated addition to any collection that serves young readers and writers.--Shannon O'Connor, Unami Middle School, Chalfont, PA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

With poems about writer's block and editing, VanDerwater doesn't hide the hard part of writing. Mostly, though, with the aid of O'Rourke's gently whimsical artwork — unicorns in flowers, pencils with butterfly wings — she embraces it. —The New York Times Book Review

Both technique and imaginative impulse can be found in this useful selection of poems about the literary art... (t)his anthology has clear classroom applications, but it will also be enjoyed by individual readers who can pore carefully over playful illustrations filled with diverse children, butterflies, flowers, books, and pieces of writing. Here's hoping this will inspire many children to joyfully engage in writing. — Kirkus Reviews

Following their poetic tribute to reading, Read! Read! Read!, VanDerwater and O'Rourke return with a collection of 22 poems about writers and their craft. VanDerwater, via various poetic forms, covers familiar motifs—starting out... and editing...alongside broader explorations of drafting. O'Rourke's lightsome artwork, rendered in oil paints and colored digitally, features paper doll-like children of various skin tones embodying their accompanying poems, sometimes surreally. The poems are by turns amusing and thoughtful, and their examination of the writing process will be particularly useful to educators. — Publishers Weekly

This delightful poetry collection introduces young readers to a cornucopia of forms and processes, guiding aspiring writers through brainstorming, revision, editing, and sharing their work... inspiring budding poets to push past writer's block and be confident in expressing their valuable thoughts. Alongside the upbeat, flowing verse are vibrant, whimsical illustrations from O'Rourke, whose inclusive artwork showcases a variety of children, animals, and other creatures enjoying reading and writing. From cheerful couplets to meditations and songs, this successfully champions its tagline, 'Writing is for everyone.' —Booklist

This beautiful compendium of poems that celebrates the written word is a joy to share with young writers. There is sure to be a poem within these pages that appeals to every reader. Each poem celebrates parts of the writing process; the illustrations add depth to their meaning. The poems could also be shared with and appeal to older, independent readers. This collection would be well used as a mentor text for poetry writing in the upper elementary grades. — School Library Journal