I’m thrilled to be doing the cover reveal and giveaway for The Writers’ Loft newest anthology. This is a writing group that I joined a few years ago when I started writing picture books. I love the supportive atmosphere and the opportunity to join picture book critique groups, writing seminars, and lectures about a range of topics on children’s book publishing.
The newest poetry anthology is called …
AN ASSORTMENT OF ANIMALS: A Children’s Poetry Anthology by Members of The Writers’ Loft
An illustrated collection of never-before-seen poems about animals from Members of The Writers’ Loft.
From a shoe-shopping centipede to an endearing baby flamingo to a stealthy barracuda, the characters dazzle. Kids will want to cuddle with the pangolin, dance with the rhinos, and eavesdrop on the conversation between a bee and a flower. Three seek and find activities in the back matter makes this book a great addition for teachers, librarians, and families.
It’s truly a labor of love by everyone involved including these folks who did the heavy lifting:
- Edited by Kristen Wixted and Heather Kelly
- Book Design by Doreen Buchinski
- Cover Art by Brian Lies
- Creative Team: Sally Hinkley and Priscilla Alpaugh
What is this poetry anthology all about, you ask? Thank you for asking!
It’s fun…
There’s a centipede that goes shoe shopping, a cat that dreams of haute cuisine, a dramatic dog, a hipster hamster.
Sweet…
A conversation between a bee and a flower. A swan’s elegance and an albatross’s lack of it. Moms and babies: deer, pangolins, giraffes, elephants—with art that makes you want to cuddle.
A little bit scary…
Some of the predators in the book may … or may not … eat other characters. An anteater and an ant. A wolverine and a fox. A grizzly bear and a boy. You get the idea.
And what else?
A giant turkey vulture peering right at you from the page, a peacock giving away jewels, a slug on a slip-n-slide!
Three seek and find activities in the back matter makes this book a necessary addition for teachers, librarians, and families alike.
And here it is …
Available for purchase 11/1 (pre-order now!):
List of contributors with books coming or recently out:
Hayley Barrett: Babymoon, April 2019, What Miss Mitchell Saw out Fall 2019
Josh Funk Lady Pancake series, Lost in the Library, etc.
Brian Lies, of the Bats Series, (Bats in the Library, Bats at the Beach…) New out this fall, The Rough Patch and this winter, Got to Get to Bear’s!
Bob Thibeault, (illustrator), Phony Moral Guidance from the Mouth of President Trump (This is not a kids’ book.)
Jane Sutton, Doreen Buchinski (illustrator) Me and the Weirdos, Oct. 2018
Jane Yolen, (of Owl Moon and How do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? fame). New book with Heidi Stemple, out this fall, Fly with Me, a treasury celebrating the world of birds.
Jane Kohuth’s book Who’s Got the Etrog? came out this fall.
Other contributors (not mentioned above) are: Kari Allen, Jodie Apeseche, Sandy Budiansky, Ellen Cohen, Elaine D’Alessandro, Audrey Day-Williams, Alice Fulgione, Bonnie Gold, Luke Hargrave, Helen Kampion, Caitlyn Kelly, Jane Kohuth, Marty Lapointe-Malchik, Megan Litwin, Deb O’Brien, Dave Pasquantonio, Charlotte Sheer, Cathy Stenquist, Pam Vaughan, Robin Brett Wechsler, and Joy Wieder.
AN ASSORTMENT OF ANIMALS: A Children’s Poetry Anthology Giveaway!
Please fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter. We can only ship to U.S. mailing addresses.
The Writers’ Loft is a community in Sherborn, MA, founded by Heather Kelly, dedicated to helping writers improve their craft. We have a quiet, drop-in writing space and a community room for all kinds of events from free craft chats to day-long workshops taught by editors, to classes taught by published writers. Because writing doesn’t have to be a solitary pursuit!
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
That does sound like a wonderful anthology and I love the cover art. So inviting! Pinned.
Thanks for sharing Mother of 3!
“What are your favorite books about animals or poetry?” Beatrix Potter books–I didn’t have enough of those in my childhood!
Hi John,
Beatrix Potter books are so wonderful! Thanks for your great book recommendation!
Thanks Mia!! We’re so proud of this book!
Hi Heather,
It’s an amazing collection of poems and illustrations. The book looks amazing including the cover by Brian Lies. I’m so impressed with this book and you all should be proud! It’s quite an achievement! Congrats!!!
Looks like another wonderful kid’s poetry book about animals – everyone loves animals!
Hi Yvona,
It’s a wonderful collection of animal poems and illustrations!
Love this!! I recognized Brian’s art immediately! Becoming a member of the Writer’s Loft is one of the first things I’ll do when I move back to MA! I see all of these wonderful events there, and I’m sad to be so far away! Congrats to all the contributors–it looks like my cup of tea!!
Hi Maria,
I love The Writers’ Loft! I’m so grateful to discover it through the kind invitation of Josh Funk! This book is an amazing group project that should grace every library!
Wow, can’t wait to buy this book in support of The Writers Loft, and all of the talented writers and illustrators who contributed. Beautiful job everyone and thanks for this reveal, Mia.
Thanks Shirley! It’s out now!!!
I just purchased a DK encyclopedia of animals as a holiday present for my daughter that looks fabulous! This one looks great, too!
Hi Kathleen,
The DK books are so wonderful. I’m sure your daughter will love it! This is a nice complement as it has poems.
I absolutely loved a picture book called Aska’s birds which was poetry and gorgeous artwork.
Finding Winnie is great.
Hi Debra,
You might really like An Assortment of Animals. It sounds similar to Aska’s birds.
This book is a gorgeous celebration of eye-popping nature AND ear-dazzling poetry.
Hi Jane,
It’s a wonderful book. Congrats!!
So excited for all the Lofters I know. Congrats son this great poetry anthology.
Hi Kathy,
Congrats to everyone involved. The book is amazing!
Good question! I’m fond of Jan Brett’s “The Mitten” for books about animals. This one looks fabulous! I may have to find a copy for my poetry-loving, animal-adoring daughter.
Hi Maryanne,
Your daughter might really like this book. Let her know it was a group effort by the members of The Writers’ Loft, a group of people who love children’s books and write picture book manuscripts. Some illustrate as well.
Can’t wait to read this book!
Hi Kathleen,
It’s a wonderful book and it’s out now!!!
Sounds like so much fun and I love Brian Lies art!
FAVORITE ANIMALS BOOKS for kids? too many to list… realistic ones, anthropomorphic ones – Little Bear, Corduroy, Velveteen Rabbit to Old Yeller, Black Stallion, Stuart Little and Charlotte’s Web
Poetry – “On little cat’s feet…
Hi Bonnie,
Thanks for sharing your great book list! Love these classics!! Hope you enjoy An Assortment of Animals as well!
Had the great pleasure of attending a Loft workshop a few years ago. Such a supportive resource for #kidlit authors & illustrators & a talented bunch. Congratulations on the new book!
Thanks so much Patricia! It’s a very special place! A lot of love and support for writers there!!
Looing forward to reading this book!
Thanks Viviane!
A children’s poetry collection I love is “Read-Aloud Rhymes for the Very Young”.
Hi Beth,
Sounds like a great pairing with An Assortment of Animals!
One of my favorite poetry books about animals is Animal Poems of the Igazu by Francisco X. Alarcon.
Thanks for your great addition Jennifer!
I love the book Stellaluna!
One of our favorites! Thanks for adding to this list Natalie!