Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer

Pennsylvania One Book. Every Young Child. is an annual campaign that "encourages adults to read daily to the young children in their lives and to engage children in conversations and experiences around the story and illustrations."  These practices help develop early emergent literacy skills in babies and young children and provide a deeper reading experience for the child.  The campaign runs in April of each year, and each year a new title is selected.  This year's title is Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer.  You can go to www.paonebook.org for more information on the campaign, this year's title, and to see titles from previous years.  You can also access a 64 page activity guide, a fun guide, rhymes, songs, and more under the Resources tab of the main menu.

While Micha Archer has previously illustrated other books, this is the first book she has both written and illustrated.  Archer is a former kindergarten teacher who has traveled the world.  Her artwork is influenced by the folk art, cultures, and traditions of the many places all over the globe where she has visited and lived.

Daniel Finds a Poem has rich, vibrant collage illustrations.  It's a beautiful picturebook for children.  The story is told in concise, evocative prose in a text font that seamlessly integrates with the illustration style.

Inspired by a sign reading "poetry in the park on Sunday," a boy named Daniel embarks on a week long mission to find out what is poetry.  Like all young children, Daniel proceeds to ask questions.  Every animal and insect he encounters in the park is asked, 'what is poetry?'  Each animal answers with what poetry is to them.  From "crisp leaves crunch[ing]" to "sun-warmed sand" the answers are as varied as the fauna providing them.  By the end of the story Daniel has both learned what poetry is in nature and composed a lovely poem to read at poetry in the park.

This book is available to borrow from the library.

--Reviewed by Ms. Angie