When Green Becomes Tomatoes: Poems for All Seasons

The spring equinox is, to many, the beginning of the new year. Plants sprout, animal young arrive, flowers bloom, birds return, spring rains fall, and more sweet sights and sounds of a freshening are apparent. This journal of sorts, carrying readers from one spring equinox to the next, is filled with charming writings on various, random days reflecting the times of the year and changes of the seasons. Poet Julie Fogliano observes all that is around her with lyrical language and a childlike sense of wonder. This marvelous collection of poems for young people, and any others lucky enough to find it, will satisfy anyone who enjoys nature and simple but elegant poetry. Some poems are only two or three lines long and others may range close to twenty lines, and yet, each and every one is full and rich, complete and perfectly enchanting. Equally enchanting are the beautifully detailed illustrations by Julie Morstad filled with colorful flowers, berries, birds, butterflies, and children enjoying all nature has to offer. The combination of these quiet poems and illustrations makes for one of the most stunning books of children’s poetry to be published recently.