Rocks, fossils, earthquakes.Seventeen short syllables?Earth Science haiku!In a stunning combination of haiku and impressionistic (but accurate) art, this one-of-a-kind book encourages readers to think playfully about our planet and its wondrous processes. Sibert Medal–winning author Sally M. Walker covers Earth’s many marvels — fossilized skeletons of plants and animals, terrific volcanic eruptions, the never-ending hydrologic cycle — in sometimes straightforward, sometimes metaphoric three-line haikus. Expertly drawn art by William Grill, author-illustrator of
Shackleton’s Journey, provides a visual reference for each poem. In clear and creative back matter, Walker and Grill further use their skills to provide additional detailed explanations for the science behind each concept. A unique, artistic intersection of poetry and science,
Earth Verse is sure to enthrall any and all readers interested in the world around them.
On sale: February 13, 2018
Age: 7-9 years
Grade: Grades 2-4
Page count: 48 Pages
ISBN: 9780763675127
Sally M. Walker majored in geology and is the author of Sibert Medal winner
Secrets of a Civil War Submarine as well as many other nonfiction books, including
Boundaries: How the Mason-Dixon Line Settled a Family Feud and Divided a Nation and
Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh. Sally M. Walker lives in Illinois.
William Grill is the author-illustrator of
Shackleton’s Journey, a
New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year and winner of a Kate Greenaway Medal, and
The Wolves of Currumpaw. He lives in England.
Throughout the collection, Walker's pithy portraits are accompanied by Gill's trademark colored-pencil illustrations, here expressively and somewhat abstractly rendered in muted tones...a provocative verse introduction to what lies on and deep below the Earth's surface.
—Kirkus Reviews
The combination of Walker’s tiny jewels of poetry and Grill’s oversize pictures will draw children into contemplating the natural wonders of the world.
—Horn Book
A lovely melding of science and art, perfectly positioned for our age of STEAM.
—Booklist Online
The noted nonfiction writer turns from prose to poetry here in nearly thirty haiku about the planet Earth...The verses could...pique the interest of young scientists.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
