How to Write a Poem

In this evocative and playful companion to their New York Times bestselling picture book How to Read a Book, Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander teams up with poet Deanna Nikaido and Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet to celebrate the magic of discovering your very own poetry in the world around you.

Begin

with a question

like an acorn

waiting for spring.

From this first stanza, readers are invited to pay attention—and to see that paying attention itself is poetry. Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido’s playful text and Melissa Sweet’s dynamic, inventive artwork are paired together to encourage readers to listen, feel, and discover the words that dance in the world around them—poems just waiting to be written down.

Winner of New York Times Best Illustrated Book (United States). Winner of Kirkus Reviews Best Children’s Book (United States).

"An exquisite guide that inspires and encapsulates the essence of poetry." — Booklist (starred review)"Both a teaching tool for writing poetry as well as an ode to poetry itself. Highly recommended." — School Library Journal (starred review)"Marvelously crafted to inspire blooming writers." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"A highly welcoming invitation to write that makes clear poetry is for everyone—reader and writer alike." — Publishers Weekly

Melissa Sweet is one of Australia's most respected specialist health journalists, and has been covering health and medical issues for over 15 years. She is a columnist and feature writer with The Bulletin and Australian Doctor magazines. She has also published widely in medical literature, with articles appearing in the British Medical Journal, The Medical Journal of Australia, and Australian Prescriber. Previously, Sweet has worked for the Sydney Morning Herald and Australian Associated Press. This is her third book. Kwame Alexander is the New York Times Bestselling author of 32 books, including The Undefeated; How to Read a Book; Solo; Swing; Rebound, which was shortlisted for prestigious Carnegie Medal; and his Newbery medal-winning middle grade novel, The Crossover. He's also the founding editor of Versify, an imprint that aims to Change the World One Word at a Time. Visit him at KwameAlexander.com

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