Today’s poetry picture book is another one of my absolute favorite finds this year!

THE CITY SINGS GREEN is a collection of poems about the impact we humans and our cities have on the wildlife around us. Yet, as the title would imply, it doesn’t stop there. Instead, it sings of hope. Each poem (each page!) highlights somewhere around the world where people are helping to protect wildlife or rewild their cities. This nonfiction poetry gives me hope (not the cloning of dire wolves) that we might be able to save and help some of the plants and animals around us). Erica Silverman highlights work all around the globe (Norway, Australia, and in the US too!) with such lyrical beauty that I had to read several of these poems over and over again. The illustrations by Ginnie Hsu are a whimsical and colorful addition that really highlight the poems in the best possible way. This book is truly a delight.

The one poem I chose to highlight is a creature I only learned about myself in the last year or so: did you know that there are little blue penguins in our world?! Yes, there are! (And their poop sparkles like glitter from fish scales because of the incredible amount of fish they must eat! You probably didn’t need to know that fact, but I just find that fascinating and had to share. Sorry, not sorry!)

Regardless, they are in danger because of crossing streets in their habitat. Read the poem from today’s book about what New Zealand did to try and save them. 

And if you’re looking for more poetry fun this month, be sure to check out the Kidlitosphere Event Roundup!  Thank you for stopping by!