View on Biblioguides
I found Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold at a library sale and was immediately drawn to it by the illustration. Though I don’t recall having read anything else by Joyce Sidman or Rick Allen, this one caught me at just the right moment.
I don’t typically seek out poetry for poetry’s sake, but I’ve come to find that children’s poems organized around a strong theme can be utterly enchanting. Winter Bees is one of those lovely examples. This marvelous picture book pairs a winter-themed animal poem with a stunning illustration and a fascinating scientific explanation on each two-page spread. The result is both lyrical and educational, beautiful and intriguing.
I would recommend this book to homeschoolers looking for a poetic companion to their winter morning baskets. Each spread invites thoughtful reflection—read a poem a day or a week, linger over the illustrations, and delve into the scientific notes to deepen understanding. Nature-loving children of all kinds will find something to admire in these pages, but I think even poetry-resistant readers might be surprised by the magic tucked into this frosty gem.
