A Year of Nature Poems

I bought this book after seeing it on a homeschoolers Instagram. I thought it would be a nice gift for my step children (ages 10 & 11) for Christmas. The artwork is very pretty but I did not like the poetry at all! I do hope they will enjoy it. Their mother is an artist so I thought she would appreciate the book as well.The stars are just because the illustrations are so pretty.

Poorly written poetry, if you can call it poetry at all, and the illustrations while not terrible aren't noteworthy.If I could give this book zero stars I would.

Disappointed that its only a single poem per month. Not like other nature poetry books at all. Waste of money. :(

I was hoping for more a year around sort of poetry book but it’a short.

Beautiful poems and illustrations.

Such a lovely book. Beautiful art, sweet poems.

This is a gorgeously illustrated collection of twelve nature poems, one for each month of the year. A short introduction to each poem gives some brief background information on the subject of the poems. The poems are a mix of themes: some are odes to seasons, plants, or animals, while some are more personal poems about experiences from the author's childhood, such as digging a pond and picking fruit. I thought the strongest aspect of this collection was the illustrations, actually - they're like a peek into an artist's nature journal, and they frame the poems beautifully.While this was a nice collection of various nature poems, a few things kept me from really loving this...#1: Poetry is a really subjective thing, I have found, and what some people love, others do not. I'll admit I didn't love the poetry, but I'm quickly adding that that is my own personal opinion and I'm sure that will not be the case for many other readers!#2: I'm a little confused on the intended audience. It was listed under "children's nonfiction" on NetGalley, and it technically is a picture book, but Barnes & Noble has it listed for middle grade readers ages 8-12, which I think is more accurate. I found the poems too complicated and wordy to be intended as a read-aloud picture book to younger readers; I think they'd enjoy looking at the pictures, but the poems would probably go right over most of their heads. However, for middle grade readers who have probably started reading and evaluating poetry in school, I think the poems would be just right, especially for those who are particularly interested in poetry or nature - perhaps even better if read with a parent or other caring adult who could help them with certain words or concepts they might not be familiar with.#3: I wish the words about how nature has been negatively affected by humans had been accompanied by some words about how we can help. There are a few poems that mention issues such as habitat destruction, climate change, and humans' effect on population numbers. For example, the introduction to one poem states, "The number of amphibians are in decline, they have suffered from an increase in disease and a lack of habitat as we build and bulldoze." The poem talks about how the author used to collect tadpoles and watch them grown, but now it's "too dangerous" to do that because there aren't many frogs left and their habitats are disappearing. ... Ok, and?? Here's a perfect chance to introduce young readers to conservation, and the idea that they can make a difference! What about asking their parents/caregivers to help them add a frog-friendly space to their yard? It could be as complex as building a pond to as easy as making hiding places like a small garden or a toad abode. What about helping to conserve water where frogs and other animals make their homes by turning off the faucet in between brushing your teeth or washing the dishes, or collecting rainwater to use for watering your plants instead of using the hose? What about checking out books from the library to learn more about how to help protect frogs and their habitats, or finding websites like this one from the National Wildlife Federation blog? There are so many ideas! It would have been so easy to add a few lines or bullet points with brief ideas for actions at the end of a poem, or add some back matter with more resources.Those 3 things being said, I still did like it, I just didn't love it like I expected to love a collection of nature poems with that gorgeous cover to go with it. For the right audience (in my opinion, a reader in the "middle grade" range rather than younger picture book readers, who is interested in poetry and the environment), I think this would be a hit.Final verdict: I liked it! I thought this book was good! I enjoyed reading it and I would probably recommend it to others.{ Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy. Review originally posted on my blog, PidginPea's Book Nook. My reviews are honest and my opinions are my own; your reading experience may vary, so give it a read and see what you think. :) }

The illustrations are just beautiful in this book and perfectly capture the heart of each month. In many of the poems themselves, the vivid imagery only worked hand-in-hand with the illustrations to re-create familiar and treasured scenes. The late summer through December months were my favorite lines.“The grey of cold teasesto explode into something worthwhile,into a dream of cold,a starlight shower you can taste,a cold that does not chill.I've lost my memoryof my first snow--did I gasp at a field of white?Or scream at the freezeuntil my cheeks reddened?The crunch underfoot is satisfyingand the thrill of virgin snownear leaves.The exaltation of beingfirst to leave footprintson a place often trod.” –from “December”Some quibbles I might have with the writing is how the author would occasionally take a very particular childhood memory with specific details about his family or location to write about, which jarred me a bit. I was confused who the target audience for this book because, for much of the poetry, an older audience would probably best understand and relate with, but the introduction to each month’s poem started with some science or seasonal fact which seems directed to younger children.3.75 stars

Joseph Coelho's poetry is beautiful and this anthology perfectly describes each season.

Not at all as expected. Wanted a gift for my mother but this seemed to be more of an older child's book. Very short. Illustration is nice but more suited to children. Missed the opportunity to return it so will probably re-sell as I don't think it is suitable for gifting.

Brought as a gift and receiver was very pleased. Quick delivery and was few pounds cheaper than most high street bookshops

I gave 2 stars for the illustrations alone. The poems are not suitable for children under 12, they would be unable up understand most of them and some of the writing is most definitely unsuitable for them. A real disappointment.