Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets

Winner of the 2018 Coretta Scott King Illustrator award for stunning mixed-media collage images created by Ekua Holmes, this iconographic-animated adaptation of Kwame Alexander’s 2017 picture book—co-authored by poets Chris Colderly and Marjory Wentworth—is an eye-catching way to introduce poetry to young viewers. Divided into three parts and featuring narration by Ron Butler, Erin Bennet, and MacLeod Andrews, Out of Wonder celebrates 20 poets (including Robert Frost, Nikki Giovanni, Billy Collins, Chief Dan George, Maya Angelou, Bashō, Emily Dickinson, and Langston Hughes) through original poems written by the co-authors. Background music—ranging from serene to jazzy—is both reflective of the profiled poets’ style and era and nicely matches Holmes’s vibrantly colorful artwork. Following the main presentation is an alphabetically arranged "About the Poets" segment that introduces each poet with comprehensive background information on their lives and poetic styles. For example, viewers learn that Emily Dickinson is remembered for her wit and precision and that none of her nearly 2,000 poems were titled. While it might have been valuable to include some examples of the poets’ works, this is still a fine introduction to a group of multicultural poets as well as an inspiring celebration of the art of poetry. Also featuring a read-along option, this is recommended. Aud: I, J, P. (S. Beauregard)