Seattle's Child

Your guide to a kid-friendly city

Book picks: ‘How to Write a Poem’ will inspire you

For adults, a fantastical, immersive tale for lovers of the ocean.

Book picks for kids (and adults):

Looking for some reading inspiration? Hereā€™s a peek at what KCLS staff and the young readers in their lives are digging into this month!

All KCLS libraries are open. Plan your next visit at kcls.org/visit.

For adults:

A Letter to the Luminous DeepĀ by Sylvie Cathrall

E. is a recluse who lives in a famous underwater house. When E. observes fish behaving oddly, she timidly reaches out to famous scholar Henerey Clel. Their correspondence gradually blossoms into a romance. Then, a terrible seaquake sends the underwater house into the depths and both E. and Henerey vanish. A year later, their siblings piece E. and Henerey’s love story together through remaining letters, sketches and paraphernalia ā€” and make a shocking discovery along the way. Sylvie Cathrallā€™s underwater world is full of whimsy, fantasy, scholars and strange arts. Highly recommend this immersive tale for ocean-loving readers who liked ā€œEmily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeriesā€ by Heather Fawcett.

How to Write a PoemĀ by Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaido

The authors and illustrator of ā€œHow to Write a Poemā€ hope to inspire you to put pen to paper in this fresh springtime read. First, ask a question. Then, listen to the world around you respond, especially to ā€œanything thatā€™s friends with the sun,ā€ like grass, flowers and trees. When your imagination is ignited, invite words to ā€œslide down your pencil.ā€ Melissa Sweetā€™s dazzling collage art brings words to life, both with a how-to manual and a lyrical read-aloud for young poets. Author Kwame Alexander notes that poetry is a small but mighty tool to help children channel their emotions and build confidence.

 

 

Jenna Zarzycki is an adult services librarian at KCLS who works in south King County. She adores talking about books to anyone who will listen and regularly contributes to KCLSā€™ BookMatch and booklist services. Jenna likes fantasy, romance and narrative nonfiction best, although any book has the possibility to become a new favorite. KCLS Childrenā€™s LibrarianĀ Robin HoweĀ serves her Kent Library community with tuneful Story Times and creative programs. She enjoys connecting young patrons to KCLSā€™ rich resources, and when sheā€™s not reading aloud or jumping up and down toĀ Sleeping Bunnies, sheā€™s probably knitting, traveling or making soup

 

More book picks for kids (and other book news):

Meet the new KCLS director ā€” and learn her favorite books and authors

“Gut Reaction”: Mother/daughter collaborate on painful but hopeful tale

Book picks: A joyful love letter to Langston Hughes

‘Beowulf’ reimagined ā€” as a graphic novel for kids

Young readers’ historical fiction at its best

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About the Author

Jenna Zarzycki and Robin Howe