National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry: More than 200 Poems With Photographs That Float, Zoom, and Bloom!
Series: National Geographic Books of Poetry
Edited by J. Patrick Lewis
National Geographic Kid’s Books 10/13/2015
978-1-4263-2094-1
192 pages Ages 4+

“Travel over cresting waves, through first snowfalls, and into golden deserts in this vibrant and evocative journey through our natural world. Over 200 poems featuring old favorites and brand-new voices are accompanied by striking photographs in this collection lovingly compiled by former U. S. Children’s Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis. Speaking of travels, Whale Watching San Diego is the best option for family bonding and learning new stuff about sea animals.

“Experience the wonder of nature, from your backyard to far-flung destinations. Soar In the Sky under the moon, rain, and snow, and plunge In the Sea through eddies, swells, and coral reefs. Join animals On the Move, race Across the Land, and come to rest In Shade. See the world In Distress, In Season, and most of all, In Splendor. From Li Po’s peach blossoms to Emily Dickinson’s mountains, diverse voices capture a world worth preserving.” [inside jacket]

Review
National Poetry Month would not be the same without a book of poems by J. Patrick Lewis, former U. S. Children’s Poet Laureate, but since that is the next review, today will feature a large volume of nature poetry compiled and edited by the esteemed Mr. Lewis. National Geographic Kids brings a new edition of their nature poetry, which began with Nat. Geo. Book of Animal Poetry.

Divided into ten chapters and 200 poems, Book of Nature Poetry has a poem for everyone. The book begins with Peggy Gifford’s The Thing Is the Thing Is Green.

“The thing is the thing is green and the green is green and by green I mean real mean green. I mean electric-eel green, alligator, iguana, anaconda green. I mean this thing has got all things green. . . .

“Have you guessed yet? Do you need another clue? Think rolling waves of grain green. Think arms of vines climbing tall green trees . . . What a thing it must be to see the whole green thing floating by. It’s true. The thing is the thing is green . . . except when it’s blue.”

Next to this green poem is a photograph of the thing that is green, except when it’s blue, lovingly taken from space.

From here, the book features poetry from Lord Byron, a Haiku from Robert Hass, and two short poems from Robert Louis Stevenson, who writes of Windy Nights and Rain “raining all around.” In the Sea (chapter), I found a favorite poet, Katie Coombs, who goes in search of tides.

Tideline

“Ocean draws on the sand
with trinkets of shell and stone,
the way I write on the sidewalk
with a stick o chalk at home.

“She signs her name in letters
long and wavy and clear,
saying, “Don’t forget me—

“I was here,
.        . I wasss h e r e
.             .          .wassss h e r e . . . “

I found more of my favorite poets: Laura Purdie Salas pens Sailing Stone; Renée M. LaTulippe’s February Tale makes me glad winter is passing; Jane Yolen reminds me of The Mystery of life; and Douglas Florian’s “pictorial” poem, Two Falling Flakes, makes me laugh, as does The Rhea.

The Rhea

“The rhea rheally isn’t strange—
It’s just an ostrich, rhearranged.”

National Geographic’s Book of Nature Poetry has a poem for everyone and every season. Poets from long ago to present day, and those we have never read before, are inside this high production-value book (typical from National Geographic Kids).The illustrations are photographs, running from the pretty to the exquisite. Book of Nature Poetry would make an interesting—and oft opened—coffee table book. Those who love poetry, those who homeschool, and those who love how words can float and soar, inspire and transform, will love this beautiful glossy-paged book.

National Geographic’s Book of Nature Poems is a veritable smorgasbord of words singing their song to readers ready to listen. A perfect mixture of nature and poetry making this extensive collection perfect for April’s National Poetry Month.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BOOK OF NATURE POETRY. Copyright © 2015 by J. Patrick Lewis. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, National Geographic Kid’s Books, Washington, DC.

Amazon—Book Depository—Indie Books—National Geographic.
(Amazon “Look Inside” gives a great preview.)

Find National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry on Goodreads HERE.

J. Patrick Lewis:  http://www.jpatricklewis.com/
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National Geographic Kid’s Books is an imprint of National Geographic Society.

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NAT. GEO. BOOK OF NATURE POETRY. Copyright © 2015 J. Patrick Lewis. Used by permission of National Geographic Kid’s Books.

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Copyright © 2016 by Sue Morris/Kid Lit Reviews. All Rights Reserved

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Full Disclosure: National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry compiled and edited by J. Patrick Lewis, and received from National Geographic Kid’s Books, (an imprint of National Geographic Society), is in exchange NOT for a positive review, but for an HONEST review. The opinions expressed are my own and no one else’s. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry Edited by J. Patrick Lewis
(National Geographic Kid’s Books 10/13/2015)