Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer is almost a poem itself. It has some great illustrations that pop off the page. The colors (especially on the very last page) tell the story boldly. The idea of what a poem is more modern, flowery and more based in nature. While any age can have it read to them, due to the fact Daniel’s story is just his adventure to find what a poem is, the older child might appreciate the fact that a poem can be found any place and can include anything.
The animal friends of Daniel know what to say when he asks them what a poem is. They tell him the glistening due on spider webs, the home in the rock wall and so much more. Daniel wakes up on the day of the Poetry Reading with his poem ready. On the very last page, he adds one more thing: the sunset with dragonfly.
Archer won the Ezra Jack Keats Award in 2017 for their illustrations. Her imagery captures the innocence and wonder of a child. The sunset at the end is every red, orange, pink and yellow one has ever seen in a sunset. The droplets of the web almost due glisten. The art work is engaging and allows you to read the story in them. The child will enjoy looking for the items mentioned as well as looking for other details on each page.
Hopefully this will encourage you and your child to look around and find the poetry around them.
