Book Review: Ivy in Bloom

Book: Ivy in Bloom: The Poetry of Spring from Great Poets and writers of the Past by Vanita Oelschlager with illustrations by Kristin Blackwood

Source: Borrowed from Publisher/NetGalley for an honest review

Publication: Available now

Publisher: VanitaBooks, LLC

Description:

Ivy in Bloom captures the weariness of a young girl tired of a long winter. "I stare out the window," she says on the first spread of brown and gray, "looking for birds or flowers / or even warm showers / but I don't see any such thing." But then Spring comes when "March is out of breath snow melting to flowery waters and watery flowers spring rose from its wintry rest." And Ivy's "heart dances with daffodils." As these words also dance across each spread, Ivy's world erupts into a riot of color.

Ivy in Bloom introduces the poetry of Dickinson, Longfellow, Browning, Wordsworth, Frost and others. Excerpts from their writings, as seen through Ivy's eyes, will open up poetry as a way for children to express their own feelings about the changing of seasons. This book includes longer excerpts and brief bios of each author.



Rating: 5 stars

Review:

A beautifully written book with equally beautiful artwork.

This is a very cute story that was told through poem verses, it's about Ivy Van Allsberg, a young girl who can't wait for spring to finally show up. She's tired of the dark and dreary winter, she just wants the return of the beautiful and vibrant spring. I love how the artwork reflects Ivy's feelings, the color for the artwork goes from grayish to rich and bold as spring approaches.

I like that what words that author didn't write she credited them in the bibliography and she not only included the names of the authors but also what poems the words were from.

This is a book I would have loved when I was a kid because who doesn't enjoy it when winter is finally gone and spring appears. It shows Ivy trying her best to enjoy the remainder of winter but once spring is here she can't wait to enjoy it including walking in the rain.

I would recommend this not only to read but it would be great as a cute little spring time gift.