Combining poetry and comics in a whole new way, this fun and imaginative book is perfect for poetry lovers and reluctant readers alike.
“ Poetry Comics is a sprint through a sprinkler, a cool evening breeze, and the discovery of static electricity all at once. It’s a sensorial experience that taps into what it means to be human and leaves you inspired to explore, discover, create, and connect.”—Aron Nels Steinke, Eisner Award-winning cartoonist
From the cloud-gazing hours of early spring to the lost bicycles of late autumn, Grant Snider’s brilliantly illustrated Poetry Comics will take you climbing, floating, swimming, and tumbling through all the year’s ups, downs, and in-betweens. He proves that absolutely everything, momentous or minuscule, is worthy of attention, whether snail shells, building blocks, the lamented late bus, or the rare joy of unscuffed shoes. These poems explore everything you never thought to write a poem about, and they’re so fun to read you’ll want to write one yourself. Not to worry, there’s a poem for that, too!
FOR COMIC BOOK These poems for kids are brightly illustrated in graphic novel-style panels, adding a delightful new element to approaching poetry. Perfect for visually oriented readers and young people who already love comics, cartoons, and graphic novels.
EXCITING NEW APPROACH TO Funny, instructive, and thoroughly engaging, this poem book is a perfect addition to classroom libraries and poetry curricula.
POEMS FOR EVERY With sections for winter, spring, summer, and fall, this poetry book offers teachers and kids lots to enjoy and share all year round.
SPARK A LOVE OF POETRY AND Perfect for classroom writing and drawing prompts, this book will inspire readers of all ages to make and share poetry comics of their own!
Grant Snider began drawing and writing before he knew what he was doing. Soon it was too late to stop.
He is the author of the picture books WHAT COLOR IS NIGHT? and WHAT SOUND IS MORNING? and the creator of Incidental Comics. His comics were collected and published in the books THE SHAPE OF IDEAS and I WILL JUDGE YOU BY YOUR BOOKSHELF. Grant's comics about creativity and the human condition have appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Best American Comics.
Grant lives in Wichita, Kansas with his wife, daughter, and three sons, where he also practices orthodontics. You can often find him carrying a sketchbook, lost in his own thoughts.
This is one of the best poetry books I have ever come across. Typically when I read poetry there are only the words and my mind has to fill in the gaps with its own pictures. However, this time the author is also the illustrator, helping to enhance the words and lift the quality of the book that much more. I can imagine this as a treasured resource for middle and high school writing classes. The carefully chosen words and phrases, along with the alluring artwork, make this a classic work, in short a masterpiece for young and old alike. Highly recommended.
Yes, yes, the title is self-explanatory. But what isn’t is how a novella-length graphic book of poetry might be a gateway for a reluctant reader to build the confidence to read longer books. Or an introduction to the wonders of poetry for youngsters unenthusiastic about older, more structured poems.
What’s also not obvious is how lovely the poems were and how author Grant Snider’s quirky illustrations were even better than the poems. Like Shel Silverstein’s books, Poetry Comics will delight more than its target audience of kids.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Chronicle Books in exchange for an honest review.
Organized by seasons, this is a collection of poems illustrated line-by-line in comic panels. For kids (and adults) who already know they like poetry, AND for anyone intimidated by it, these poems are often introspective but completely accessible, and provide a brilliant portal to poetry for visual thinkers and learners. I have already talked up this book to teachers and librarians who I'm sure will want this book in their collections! Kids will be inspired.
Slightly Obsessed with this Poetry Graphic Novel!! Creative, fun and a really great resource for readers of all ages to learn about and learn to love- POETRY. The seasonal themes made it easy to read and kept reading of the poems "moving". With the varying subjects of each poem there is sure to be 2 or 3 that resonant with each reader. I particularly enjoyed Spring- JOY and My Favorite Color. The illustrations bring even more life to each poem. If poetry hasn't been your cup of tea in the past, this is a great way to enjoy it.
I would recommend libraries around the world get extra copies of this book!! And teachers- what about a unit on poetry and illustrating your own poem?!!
Grateful to have received a digital copy of this book from Chronicle Books and NetGalley.
This was cute, short, and sweet, but lacked the depth I've come to know and love from Snider's comics. I've followed his work for a while, so went in with high expectations about comics that explored the meaning of life and creativity in very tangible, kid friendly, and wholesome ways. There were a few comics smattered throughout that really made me sit back and think, but most of it felt like fluff to me. Would make a nice coffee table book but was not super a deep read.
Thank you to Chronicle Books and NetGalley for the ARC copy! I loved this poetry collection. Such a sweet and fun combination of poetry and comics. I thought it was organized really well and that the artwork was very cute and captures the feeling of the poems well. I would highly recommend this collection.
A fun and elegant collection of poetry with some whimsical drawings to complement the book. I’m thankful for NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book. I find this collection of poetry can be relaxing for any one of all ages to read and relax after a day of tasks or chores galore. I really enjoyed the series of “How to write a poem,” poems most of all. I’d have enjoyed reading this when I was a kid. I really haven’t written poetry, but these poems provide creative meditations for any creative activity. The sense of time moving on with each season is also soothing. You could really come back and re read each season throughout the year. I might read and share this article with my young daughter to see what she thinks of this book too.
I'm impressed! Not only a well done, fun read with cool comic style illustrations, but it offers up much to think about, It deals with universal human emotions and feelings such as anxiety, ambition, creativity, and the sheer joy (and fears) of living. The cover is very representative of what you'll find within. Look closely. That's the same tree split into four sections, in this case seasons. That is how the book is organized, season by season. According to info shared at the end, Jennifer Tolo Pierce was the designer, so kudos to her. There are even hints about writing poetry (and dealing with what we'll call writer's block).
The poems are deceptively simple but, as I read, I realized how much thought had gone into not just the words but the illustrations, which were done in pen and ink with coloring done by Photo Shop. They perfectly capture not just the universal joys and fears of youth but can be equally applicable to adults reading. I know a few gave me pause, recalling how emotions tended to leap and frolic, rising and falling, occasionally crashing. People everywhere, no matter where or what creed or color, experience the same. Being human is the focus here. Being human and having fun while out and about enjoying nature or stretching your imagination and creativity.
I wound up taking extensive notes, largely for my own benefit, but am opting not to share more than a few highlights here. One per section. In the spring section, the "Becoming" poem hit home, not only recalling the name of a recent Michelle Obama book but reminding us all that we're always evolving, always in the process of becoming. The summer submission that hit home for me was "Roller Coaster", a reminder that the road of life, cliche that it is, isn't always smooth and you will have both high and low moments, not to mention moments that feel like you're endlessly climbing or in a free fall, For fall, the "Autumn ABCs" won me over for it's sheer skill, using an almost sentence like list written in alphabetical order rather than individual items for the various letters. It worked well, too! And, ah, winter. Probably "Into the Woods" reminded me of the old saying about all who wander aren't lost. It notes that sometimes being lost simply means you need to figure out where you're going. Thanks to #NetGalley and #ChronicleBooks for sharing this wonderful book with me early. It's a great reminder of taking time to enjoy where we're at and the world about us and would be a great gift for any age. Teachers will definitely want to add this to their bookshelves.
Grant Snider's "Poetry Comics" is a delightful exploration of the intersection between visual art and poetry, offering readers a unique and immersive experience that transcends traditional literary boundaries. Through a masterful combination of whimsical illustrations and evocative verse, Snider invites us on a journey through the landscapes of the human heart and mind.
At its core, "Poetry Comics" is a celebration of creativity in its myriad forms. Each page is a canvas upon which Snider paints vivid portraits of emotion and thought, employing a diverse array of artistic techniques to bring his words to life. From playful doodles to intricate pen-and-ink drawings, the illustrations in this book are as varied as the emotions they evoke, capturing the essence of each poem with remarkable clarity and precision.
What sets "Poetry Comics" apart is its accessibility. Snider's poems are deceptively simple, yet they pack a powerful emotional punch, resonating with readers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether exploring themes of love, loss, or the passage of time, his words possess a timeless quality that transcends the constraints of language and culture.
Moreover, the synergy between Snider's artwork and verse is nothing short of magical. Each illustration serves as a visual companion to the accompanying poem, enhancing its meaning and depth in ways that words alone cannot convey. The result is a seamless fusion of art and text that engages the senses and stirs the imagination, inviting readers to linger over each page and savor its beauty.
While "Poetry Comics" excels in its artistic vision and execution, some readers may find themselves craving a deeper exploration of certain themes. At times, Snider's brevity leaves us yearning for more, longing to delve further into the rich tapestry of human experience hinted at within these pages. However, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise stellar collection.
In conclusion, "Poetry Comics" is a testament to the transformative power of art and language, reminding us of the beauty that lies at the intersection of imagination and expression. Grant Snider's talent shines brightly in this enchanting book, offering readers a glimpse into a world where words and images intertwine to create something truly magical. Whether you're a seasoned poetry aficionado or simply looking for a visual feast for the senses, "Poetry Comics" is sure to delight and inspire.
Grant Snider has just made poetry infinitely more accessible for every 4th to 6th grader in my school. The 5th grade readers in my room always choose graphic novels first for their independent reading, but they love the short format of the few verse novel + graphic novel combinations available. I love being able to hand them graphic novels in genres besides realistic fiction, so to have Poetry Comics on hand will be a great addition to my classroom library.
In looking at the cover, one might think that Snider has only written poems about the 4 seasons, but really growth is the main theme. Many of these poems have self-concept as a focus, and several sweetly capture those tween years of still liking kid stuff (like recess!) but looking forward to more mature pursuits as well. I had so many favorites: Becoming, Balloon Story, Joy, Old Playground Slide, How to Write a Poem (especially #2 and #3), Autumn ABCs, I Can Be..., Alight, Confidence, Wish List, Comfort Zone, and Bookshelf. Just the titles of my favorites should tell you how well this book will resonate with upper elementary students.
Well done, Mr. Snider! I will eagerly await another volume of Poetry Comics in the future. Thank you to Net Galley for providing this review copy.
Grant Snider has quickly become a children’s author whose books I really enjoy. I was thrilled to see he had another new children’s book out this Spring. Beginning with the Spring season, Snider has written and illustrated poems to mimic some of the activities of each season continuing with Summer, Fall, and Winter. Imagine a graphic novel yet in a much smaller format. Many of the puzzles cover just one page with a few that cover the double-page spread. The Illustrations fill a whole page or are individually sectioned illustrations to go along with the few words of the poem.
"Reflection in the still pond the same world but blurred."
Snider makes poetry easy to read and so fun that kids won’t even realize they are enjoying poetry. Many of the poems are set outside where Snider encourages kids to focus on the beauty of nature or the simple joys in a day. In fact, one Haiku just writes about a finch on a stalk of prairie grass.
POETRY COMICS would be a great addition to a classroom curriculum on poetry. The last poem in every section is titled, “How to Write a Poem” reminding kids that writing poems isn’t necessarily easy, but it can be a fun journey.
This was such a delightful read. I follow Grant Snider over on Threads where shares poetry comics including my favorite one called Words of Wonder. When I saw that a book was being released? I knew I had to read it, and to get ahold of it during National Poetry Month is even better. The poems are fun, but also reflect on things like issues with self-confidence and how hard it can be learn something yet in a way that shows understanding while also giving hope. There's even lovely comics about how to write poetry or what it's like to write that were super relatable. There were moments where I laughed, shook my head in agreement, and just found that I felt lighter and was unable to stop smiling at the joy I was feeling. I definitely recommend picking this book up when you get a chance. You'll be happy you did.
Poetry is close to my heart because simple words can touch such fundamental topics and move sometimes a scaled heart. This time, I decided to take upon the book to add two elements to poetry, I would never think about: children's book and graphic novel/comic book. In its simplicity, the author underlines the simple moments of childhood, and the mindfulness of it, and brings charm to mundane tasks through the words and graphics. I love the drawings. Their colors and message helped to understand sometimes complex words. The poetry on its own had an impact and made me think after every page about the essence of life. The whole book is divided into 4 parts to represent each calendar season. For each season, we also get a bonus tip on how to write poetry.
Overall, the book is not only for children but easy to be an amazing gift for an adult who are looking for something to practice their mindfulness and connect to their inner child during their therapeutic journey.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book before publication.
This is just adorable. The artwork is cute, the story is cute, even the topics are cute. This book feels childlike, as though we’re experiencing the daily imagination of a child in these pages. I couldn’t stop thinking about Shel Silverstein while reading because this reminds me of him. There are many differences though, such as color and the layout of the page. I can easily see myself using this in the classroom as an example for visuals with poetry for my artistic students. And I’ll definitely share it with me daughter because I feel it has some important life lessons too.
I like that art was paired with the text. The images bring the words to life.
Received an ARC version thanks to Goodreads giveaway.
I had high hopes for this book to catch the attention of my graphic novel loving 8 year old and immerse him into the world of poetry. Unfortunately, it fell kind of flat for both of us. I love the way the book is organized (by season) and the idea of poetry told through comic panels is great. However the actual poems didn’t really catch our interest as much as I’d hoped.
The ARC version wasn’t fully in color; the final version is supposed to be fully in color. I did notice that I enjoyed the ones in color slightly more, so possibly that had some impact on my overall interest? But probably only enough to push it to 3.5 stars had it been all in color.
First sentence: I want to put down on paper the feeling of fresh possibilities.
Poems told in comic book format. This is a combination I never knew I needed, but now I do know. I want MORE, MORE, MORE, MORE. Love this combination so much.
The book is arranged into the four seasons. It opens with spring.
This one was love at first sight. I enjoyed many of the poems. I did. But I loved the recurring subject. Each of the four seasons contains a poem titled, "How To Write A Poem." (Each one is numbered.)
How To Write a Poem #1 Find a quiet place. A sharp pencil. A blank page. Sit still. Keep quiet. Wait. A poem will rush in to fill the space.
What I can't really convey is how LOVELY the poems are when illustrated in the comic format.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I am not a poetry girl. I often just don't get it. And that makes it dull. Poetry meant for kids is often too simple or silly. I just don't care for poetry.
But this book. This book is gorgeous. I loved the poems. I loved the illustrations. I admire how much time, work, and heart this author poured into it. While I was reading I was picturing reading this to my kids at night when I read their regular stories and chapter books. And how much they could get out of just one poem at a time. Not only will I order this for my library collection, I have already preordered it for my home.
5 plus I love this. Each page has a comic with panels that tell a poem/story and it's divided into four chapters, four seasons. I love the one that is to be like a tree, and the ones about worries, and anxiety, the imagination, the dreaming, and the about pretending to be a snail. But I also the Summer and the ones about having fun, enjoying nature, and letting the poetry come from the surroundings to welcome us. I loved all seasons and so many episodes are so relatable, not only to young readers. It's a great book to collect and gift. Each page could make an awesome motivation and inspirational poster. Thank you, publisher and Netgalley for this e-arc.
I received an ARC of this fun book from NetGalley. Just like the girl huddled in a window seat pondering what to write, I could imagine a student snuggling up with this book. It's a clever way to present the poetry, and might interest students who otherwise might think they couldn't write. The poems themselves were clever, with a scheme that made sense, occasionally rhyming or almost rhyming, with a nice flow. I had a hard time picking a favorite! A teacher could start with just one example and have the students write their own. I could see a whole class activity with "I'm becoming" flowing into a writing experience.
A (graphic) novel way to flesh out a collection of short poems featuring the four seasons, this book has the potential to open up the world of poetry to a whole new appreciative middle-grade audience, appealing as it is to both eye and ear. Each line of each poem is comprised of a separate full-color comic panel, strung together on the page(s) to complete the narrative-in-poem. And the variety of diverse poetic forms represented here could be a language-arts teacher’s dream! Mr. Snider’s accompanying comic illustrations are particularly winsome, lively, and fun. Good food for thought for young dreamers and doers, including reluctant learners.
As a longtime Grant Snider fan, I snapped up his latest book happily, even though I knew it was for a younger audience. As I flipped through the pages, I realized there was still something for me in there as well. What nurtures creative expression in children—the wonders of the natural world, the vibrancy and interplay of colors, the “if” of wishes and dreams, the liberating glee of laughter and play—can also do so in adults.
I confess that I was disappointed to see school repeatedly framed as antithetical to freedom and joy, though. I guess it really is that way for far too many children.
I love how Grant combined poetry with comics throughout the book. This collection is an excellent way to introduce poetry to younger readers. The poems are perfectly complimented by the stunning illustrations. They add so much to each poem. I always love Grant’s books and comics, but this one tops them all.
I highly recommend the collection for both younger and older readers alike. It is an absolute delight.
*I received an ARC for review purposes. All opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.
This is a great introduction to poetry for young children. If you or your child has ever felt bored by poetry books with no pictures, or maybe only one illustration per page, give this one a try. Each line is illustrated with cute pictures that help the reader visualize the narrative imagery. It’s a great idea, really and it was a fun read. This one is not for super young readers, so maybe starting at age five, just so they can understand all the words. It’s a cute one! Thank you for the eARC!
Poetry Comics is one of those books that kids are going to be drawn to. Even kids younger than 8 are going to be curious about this one. Its physical dimensions are those of a picture book, but at 96 pages, it’s significantly longer.
Grant Snider’s use of comic-book panes invites readers to look at poetry in a new way. In his book, each phrase gets attention. And the imagery Snider uses as he takes readers through the seasons is pitch perfect.
Poetry Comics is a great option for curious, nature-loving kids and would work well as a jumping off point/prompt in the classroom.
This is likely the first poetry book I have seen using comic book format and it really works. I'm not a great reader of poetry, but by following the panels and looking at the illustrations, I was slowed down enough to appreciate the words as well. The poems were fun to read, but contained enough depth to be interesting. I will be buying this for my collection and encourage young readers to pick it up, and maybe even try to write their own poetry in this style.
What a unique format for poetry! Each stanza or line is enclosed in a graphic panel; sometimes the whole poem is encapsulated in one big illustration. The poems, heavily influenced by nature, have rhythm, rhyme, and figurative language common to poetry-metaphor, simile, hyperbole, alliteration, and personification. This book could be used with traditional poetry in a compare/contrast exercise or as an added resource in a poetry unit.
I fell in love with this book from the start. Each illustrated page surrounds a poem and the illustrated comic-like layout helps bring the story in each poem to life. The drawings are simple with enough detail to engage the reader or listener and encourage them to search the page for hidden treasures. The poems are gentle and easy to read out loud, a boon to every parent who has struggled with rhyming stories that don't quite find the right words.
I read this with my seven year old and four year old children. collection felt a bit like haiku but written and illustrated by Shel Silverstein. They enjoyed it quite a lot.
The illustrations are approachable, the poems are straightforward without being shallow, and the topics will be relatable to many a young kid in the American Midwest just experiencing all four seasons of a school-age year.
There is not enough poetry in the world! This collection is great because, with the combination of words and pictures, it evokes feelings of happiness and nostalgia. This is a great book for young readers to learn to appreciate poetry they can understand. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this