Here is the last review celebrating Poetry Month and I’ve collected some outstanding poetry picture books that showcase rhythm and rhyme in story form – and the languid liquidity of word usage.

The first two books are filled with serious and glorious poems. A Mirror to Nature:  Poems About Reflection, by Jane Yolen, and photographed by Jason Stemple, exemplifies the beauty in nature, surrounded by water and words. Mother and son team up again to present a reflection in photos and poems that will surely breathe renewed awareness of all that surrounds us. Ms. Yolen has also placed a factual tidbit about each animal near each photo. And be sure to read her introductory note at the beginning where she describes the reflections for you to decipher.

African Acrostics:  A Word in Edgeways, by Avis Harley, and photographed by Deborah Noyes, may very well be my favorite poetry book of the year because of the unique and beautifully devised way to place descriptive words that seem to linger. Each poem seems to poignantly point out the nobility of a beast yet touches upon the mildness and meekness of their manner. Ms. Noyes has captured each photo magnificently as you peek at the prowess of her subjects as they peer through the lens. I especially enjoyed reading about her joy of being in Africa taking pictures side-by-side with nature as found on the last page. And the acrostic wordplay makes this a willing book to enjoy, savor and learn from. Check out the “Nature Notes” and more acrostic information located at the back of the book.

Now here are stories in a poetic scheme. Stanza, by Jill Esbaum, and brightly illustrated by Jack E. Davis, is a story in rhyme about Stanza, a pug of a thug, who willfully carouses around the streets with his dog-pals during the day and bullies and harasses the neighborhood. But during the night, his softer side comes out as he sneaks into the back alleys and writes beautiful poems full of imagery and form. He likes this part of himself better, but doesn’t want it to be discovered.  His poetic life is about to change when he secretly enters a poetry contest. This wonderfully told tale through rhyme brings out the importance and acceptance of poetry. The vibrant illustrations, done in acrylic and watercolor, move the story along perfectly.

Cats’ Night Out, by Caroline Stutson, and illustrated by J. Klassen, will get your foot tappin’, your hands clappin’ and your fingers snappin’ as you read through this hip-hoppin’ feline poppin’ night as the cats head out on the town. These city cats are groovin’ onto rooftops where they show off their multi dance moves. The digitally illustrated pictures cover the entire page giving off the feeling of a nighttime happenin’.  And the rhythm seems to jump off the pages. You’ll be dancin’ by the end.

Boom Boom Go Away!, by Laura Geringer, and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline, is a perfect little story that marries poetry with music thereby showing that these two go together naturally. The story begins with a  little gnome being told it’s time for bed. He makes a sound on his drum with the text showing a large bold boom, boom and exclaims, “Go Away!” Each page brings another toy making a new sound which is added with the previous sound. It’s not until the end when you see who is actually making the sounds. Youngsters will enjoy the story and likely desire to make their own musical sounds. The bright watercolor and acrylic illustrations cover the entire page.

Odd Owls & Stout Pigs:  A Book of Nonsense, by Arnold Lobel, and with color enhancement by his daughter Adrianne Lobel, is another collection found by Adrianne from her late father’s collections and tiny books given as gifts. The first chapter is dedicated to a variety of owls with the inscription of nonsensical activities that are pure fun in their rhyme and reason. The second chapter is hilarious in the dealings of pigs. If these poems don’t motivate your youngster to want to make up a quick rhyme, I don’t know what will!

Bunnion Burt, by Marsha Hayles, and illustrated by Jack E. Davis, is a fun and funny rhyming story to get the giggles and wiggles all out as you read it. Burt’s feet hurt awfully bad and his entire family set out with the weirdest and humorous ways to cure it. It’s not until Pappy comes up with the solutions that poor Burt will finally get relief! The illustrations are a perfect match to the text as all of Burt’s family is painted with clever and fun wit.

Button Up! Wrinkled Rhymes, Alice Schertle, and illustrated by Petra Mathers, is the most unique and funniest of the bunch!  Each poem takes a part of clothing, and through the viewpoint of the article, it conveys its relationship to its owner. There’s “Bertie’s Shoelaces” that poetically proclaim that they just hang, “we don’t do bows”.  And “Wanda’s Swimsuit” exclaims “wetter is better.” The soft watercolors match the undertones of this anamorphotic clothing with these delightful poems. If our clothing could just talk – or not!

And finally there’s Silly Street, by Jeff Foxworthy, and fancifully illustrated by Steve Bjorkman. This pleasing book of fantastical poems is likely to become a favorite in your family. There’s the “Bubble Gum Tree” where the crows are “blowing bubbles in flight” or “The Biggest Tree House” that is the perfect gathering place for all your friends where “The fun never ends.”