Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

A year's worth of nature poems and illustrations for all ages in a massive collaboration between two Brits.Measuring approximately 10 by 11 inches high and over 1 inch thick, Waters' collected 366 lyric selections hail from more than 90 poets recognized as pillars of the Western canon—Shakespeare, Dickinson, Wordsworth, Blake, Cummings—as well as a handful of poets from other cultures as well as modern children's stalwarts. While the age-old celebration of seasons and passage of time must be among the most common ways nature anthologies are organized, what sets this collection apart is how the differing perspectives work together. Waters makes sure, whether nature's many creatures or states of being happen to be personified or objectified, that the unifying themes of environmental conservation and respect for creatures great and small ("Hurt no living thing," advises Christina Rossetti) come clearly across. This isn't to say the volume doesn't offer numerous examples of light verse, such as Tony Mitton's salute to a plum—"Don't feel beaten. / You were made / to be eaten"—or selections from fun masters Ogden Nash and JonArno Lawson. Alongside these playful stanzas are hundreds of reflective poems, showcasing natural wonders often with mere syllables, as in "White Sound" by Julie O'Callaghan: "When rain / whispers / it is snow."Paired throughout with Preston-Gannon's evocative, vibrantly textured digital illustrations, Waters' superbly curated poems offer something for everyone: majestic and inspiring as nature itself. (Poetry. 5-adult)

Horn Book (Mon Apr 01 00:00:00 CDT 2019)

This hefty, vividly illustrated anthology includes a seasonal poem from a variety of poets, one for each day of the year. The selections range from humorous to poignant, some rhyming and some in free verse, often several to a spread. The mixed-media art depicts brilliant flowers, expansive skies, and leafy meadows by turn. A keepsake volume, ideal for one-on-one daily sharing. Several helpful indices are included.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A year's worth of nature poems and illustrations for all ages in a massive collaboration between two Brits.Measuring approximately 10 by 11 inches high and over 1 inch thick, Waters' collected 366 lyric selections hail from more than 90 poets recognized as pillars of the Western canon—Shakespeare, Dickinson, Wordsworth, Blake, Cummings—as well as a handful of poets from other cultures as well as modern children's stalwarts. While the age-old celebration of seasons and passage of time must be among the most common ways nature anthologies are organized, what sets this collection apart is how the differing perspectives work together. Waters makes sure, whether nature's many creatures or states of being happen to be personified or objectified, that the unifying themes of environmental conservation and respect for creatures great and small ("Hurt no living thing," advises Christina Rossetti) come clearly across. This isn't to say the volume doesn't offer numerous examples of light verse, such as Tony Mitton's salute to a plum—"Don't feel beaten. / You were made / to be eaten"—or selections from fun masters Ogden Nash and JonArno Lawson. Alongside these playful stanzas are hundreds of reflective poems, showcasing natural wonders often with mere syllables, as in "White Sound" by Julie O'Callaghan: "When rain / whispers / it is snow."Paired throughout with Preston-Gannon's evocative, vibrantly textured digital illustrations, Waters' superbly curated poems offer something for everyone: majestic and inspiring as nature itself. (Poetry. 5-adult)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In a wide-ranging volume, Waters presents 366 poems (by writers as varied as Christina Rossetti and Margaret Wise Brown) devoted to nature and the seasons. There-s a poem for every day of the year, beginning in January and ending in December. Two poems to be read in November are imbued with melancholy. Rachel Field writes: -Do skyscrapers ever grow tired/ Of holding themselves up high?/ Do they shiver on frosty nights/ With their tops against the sky?- Alongside it, a work by Eleanor Farjeon reads: -The night will never stay,/ The night will still go by,/ Though with a million stars/ You pin it to the sky.- Preston-Gannon offers a cohesive visual thread, with gentle mixed-media renderings of animals as well as urban and pastoral scenes. Readers are likely to discover greater nuances behind the accessible poems with each visit. All ages. (Oct.)

School Library Journal (Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Gr 3 Up-This beautiful anthology of nature poems delivers just what it promises: a poem for each day of the year, organized by date, from January through December. The poems vary in length, format, and structure, and the volume lends itself well to casual browsing, independent and shared reading, read-alouds, and/or direct instruction. There is, however, a preponderance of white male poets; writers of color are woefully underrepresented. Further, the majority of contributors are either British or American, and many are known for their 19th- and early 20th-century work. While the entries are evocative and rich with figurative language, the mixed media illustrations really steal the show. The artwork charmingly complements the selected poems, and is sure to capture the attention of young readers. Physically, the book is quite heavy, and might be a bit unwieldy for kids to carry or fit in their backpacks. The collection also includes indices of poets, poems, and first lines. VERDICT Libraries seeking an inclusive sampling of contemporary poets will be better served elsewhere. Lauren Strohecker, McKinley Elementary School, Elkins Park, PA