Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets

Original poems and vibrant mixed media illustrations

This is an eye-catching fabulous poetry collection featuring works by Alexander, Chris Colderley and Marjory Wentworth all paying homage to the poets that have influenced them. The original poets illustrate the unique styles of writers such as Robert Frost and Langston Hughes. A section is devoted observes how artists such as Billy Collins and Walter Dean Myers went composed their work. And the final section offers the poet’s gratitude for the pieces that have touched us all and made us wonder for years—including pieces dedicated to Gwendolyn Brooks, Rumi, and Maya Angelou.

In all 20 poets are celebrated with original compositions and vibrant mixed media illustrations by Ekua Holmes. This book is flat out beautiful! This is a case where the cover caught my eye first and I was not disappointed. The full graphic is a dervish-style dancer paired with the Poem “Spin a Song: celebrating Rumi” by Marjory Wentworth which speaks to my heart which offers the line, “Dance until your feet lift off the ground like wings.” Another favorite is “The Music of the Earth: celebrating Pablo Neruda” by Marjory Wentworth.