Member Reviews
This book of poems merged with comics was really playful and easy to follow and enjoy. It follows two characters through the four seasons and utilizes a variety of panel set-ups and poetry forms. I thought the art was adorable and it was the highlight of this book for me. I did specifically enjoy a few of the poems, but I found that several felt like they relied too much on the artwork and did not give enough creativity to the writing itself. I think many kids will still really love this book though, and it's a palatable entry point to introduce poetry in a way that minimizes intimidation. I'd definitely recommend it for any kid recreationally, and think it would be especially great as an educational resource in classrooms.
Thank you to Grant Snider, Chronicle Books, and Netgalley for this free advanced reader copy of "Poetry Comics" for an honest review.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this one. The journey you make through it evokes childlike wonder, and I hope there will be more in this series.
Grant Snider's "Poetry Comics" is a delightful fusion of visual art and poetic expression. As someone who enjoys poetry and comics, this book was a pleasant surprise that exceeded my expectations.
Snider's work stands out for its whimsical and thought-provoking nature. Each page is a new adventure, where his clever illustrations breathe life into his poetry, making complex emotions and ideas accessible and engaging. The simplicity of his drawings complements the depth of his words, creating a harmonious balance that invites readers to ponder and reflect.
One of the highlights of "Poetry Comics" is its ability to evoke a wide range of emotions. Snider's work resonates on a personal level. The book is perfect for those moments when you need a quick escape into a world where words and images dance together in perfect harmony.
However, the only reason I’m not giving it a full 5 stars is that, at times, the brevity of the comics left me wanting more. Some pieces felt like they ended too soon; this minor drawback doesn't significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.
This was quite a special poetry book. The way the author coupled pictures and words was beautiful. This would be a great addition to a school library and a great book to introduce poetry with. It also shows how one can create poetry with more than words.
A really cute illustrated book that will get you smiling untill the very end! Poetry comics is a perfect book for younger readers looking for something that will introduce them to poetry while simultaneously keeping them interested. The illustrations are vividly colourful making it ideal for children whose attention spun is.... Well kind of iffy. Absolutely adorable and would absolutely recommend for any parent to invest in this.
Having read another book by this author, I thought this one was going to be aimed at an older audience but it is very clearly for early readers.
With that in mind, it is a good first approach to poetry and rhymes and the illustrations are very simple and quite beautiful!
Poetry Comics is a creative poetry collection that is told through simple, vivid illustrations. This would be a great introduction to poetry for children who rely on pictures in their books or who are just learning to read. I don't think the poems can hold the attention of children who already love poetry. They are too simple and lack any depth.
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.
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.
Organized by seasons, the author takes the reader on a journey of discovering poetry and its many formats, such as in Haiku. Set up like panels I h a comic book, it is an easy read with bright inviting illustrations.
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 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.
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.
This is a nice poetry book in the form of a graphic novel/comic. It may be labeled under Children’s, but adults can benefit from its reflections, as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will seek out other works from Grant Snider! Many people think poetry to be complex and overly complicated or just random words tossed onto the page and organized is some fancy way and called it a day, but really, it doesn’t have to be that way.
This is an ARC read obtained from NetGalley. Everything in this review is honest and my words. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read and review such a beautiful book.
Kids love to be entertained and while I love poetry not all kids have fallen in love. This book is what you need to hand young readers to help them open up the door to loving poetry. I loved the whimsy of the poems, the seasonal approach to the book, and the feelings Snider captured. The joy of using your imagination comes to life in this comic approach to poetry. Fans of Shel Silverstein will recall the ridiculous, but Snider captures the ordinary and finds the extraordinary and joy of just being in nature and in living a well lived life. So many kids today forget what it is or don't know what it is to be joyful in rain, explore a tree, play in the outdoors, and reveal in being creative. I especially enjoyed the repeating series in each season of how to write a poem. This is a great choice for celebrating poetry month and in celebrating life and being imaginative. I am adding this book to my school library and will be sharing this review and talking up this book to anyone who will listen. We need poetry and this book meets youth in the comic aisle exactly where they are.
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.
'becoming' and 'joy' were my favorite poetry illustrations in the book. wow. reminds me a lot of something my mother used to read to me as a kid. this was a beautiful book that i would recommend to anyone with kids looking to read something a little deeper. a very cute story with amazing illustrations. loved it so much!
I think this children’s mixed media poetry book is SO wonderful! My daughter is too young for it but I will absolutely buy a physical copy for her. I loved how the poems are easy to read in the comic strips and panels and how the illustrations are simple and add to the poem. I loved how so many poems are rooted in nature and promote a healthy relationship with the outside world through a child’s point of view.
This was a really cute poem book, it would be good for both Young and older kids. Even some adults would enjoy reading this poem book. It would be a great introduction into poems. The art really goes with each and every poem making it an interesting read. Love the use of things that kids do or feel.
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.