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You're a Poet: Ways to Start Writing Poems
In five warm and cozy tales, children can delight in the world of Piglet, his family, and his friends—while learning five fun and easy ways to write a poem.
When Piglet picks up a stone and drops it into a puddle, words seem to splash out: wet, fresh, earthy, sploshing, sunshiny, puddle. Is Piglet a poet? Each of five charming stories captures a warm snapshot into some happy moment in childhood while demonstrating how to create a different kind of poem: a puddle poem, a comparing poem, a making-a-person-out-of-something poem, an if-I-was poem, and an I-would-give-you poem. With plenty of tips and tricks after each story and fresh illustrations by Sam Usher, author Sean Taylor makes poetry writing accessible, inspiring even the youngest of children to find their voice and call themselves poets.
When Piglet picks up a stone and drops it into a puddle, words seem to splash out: wet, fresh, earthy, sploshing, sunshiny, puddle. Is Piglet a poet? Each of five charming stories captures a warm snapshot into some happy moment in childhood while demonstrating how to create a different kind of poem: a puddle poem, a comparing poem, a making-a-person-out-of-something poem, an if-I-was poem, and an I-would-give-you poem. With plenty of tips and tricks after each story and fresh illustrations by Sam Usher, author Sean Taylor makes poetry writing accessible, inspiring even the youngest of children to find their voice and call themselves poets.
72 pages, Hardcover
Published March 4, 2025
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Sean Taylor
185 books2 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
For other authors of this name, see:
Sean Taylor - Children's Books
Sean Taylor - Short Stories, Comics & Graphic Novels, Horror
Sean Taylor - Fiction, Creative, Whimsical
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name
For other authors of this name, see:
Sean Taylor - Children's Books
Sean Taylor - Short Stories, Comics & Graphic Novels, Horror
Sean Taylor - Fiction, Creative, Whimsical
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 1, 2024
Such a lovely way to encourage younger readers to think about poetry, but also to understand and recognise what poetry they are seeing and how to create a basic version of that. I like the idea - it’s almost like the “see one, do one” concept.
Also, there are pigs and they are super cute pigs so we were already on to a winner!
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Also, there are pigs and they are super cute pigs so we were already on to a winner!
ARC provided from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2024
**Review for BooksforKeeps**
Introducing young readers to the magic of wordplay and poetry, this collection serves as an engaging guide to creating verse. Led by the delightful character of Piglet, Taylor presents five types of poems, each introduced in a playful, highly-accessible way. The large, square format of the book is perfect for sharing, with each page moving between Piglet’s free-verse adventures and excited reflections on his own poetic creations. After each journey, the narrator steps in to show readers how they, too, can compose a similar poem, making the process inviting and fun.
Taylor’s narrative is simple yet layered with meaning, as Piglet discovers the joy of shaping words from his observations and experiences. The author’s talent for capturing childlike wonder makes this book an inspiring tool for sparking creativity and showing any reader or listener that they, too, can create poetry. Piglet’s journey mirrors the experiences of young readers, presenting poetry as playful and inviting rather than intimidating.
Equally, Usher’s watercolour illustrations complement the text, bringing vibrancy and warmth to Piglet’s world. There are also sweet moments where the illustrator goes beyond embellishment, adding depth to Piglet’s experiences - these often occur on those spreads where poetry exercises and ideas are shared. These moments of love and exploration encourage readers to look closely, inviting them to discover something new with each reading—just like a poem.
The book’s most powerful quality is its ability to demystify poetry, revealing it as a vessel for holding thoughts, emotions, and observations. Taylor gently emphasises that there’s no right or wrong way to write a poem, making it a wonderful tool for inspiring creativity and self-expression. Both instructional and inspiring, this book is an ideal choice for young readers ready to explore the world of poetry, offering them the encouragement to find their own voices and the joy of capturing their unique experiences on paper.
Introducing young readers to the magic of wordplay and poetry, this collection serves as an engaging guide to creating verse. Led by the delightful character of Piglet, Taylor presents five types of poems, each introduced in a playful, highly-accessible way. The large, square format of the book is perfect for sharing, with each page moving between Piglet’s free-verse adventures and excited reflections on his own poetic creations. After each journey, the narrator steps in to show readers how they, too, can compose a similar poem, making the process inviting and fun.
Taylor’s narrative is simple yet layered with meaning, as Piglet discovers the joy of shaping words from his observations and experiences. The author’s talent for capturing childlike wonder makes this book an inspiring tool for sparking creativity and showing any reader or listener that they, too, can create poetry. Piglet’s journey mirrors the experiences of young readers, presenting poetry as playful and inviting rather than intimidating.
Equally, Usher’s watercolour illustrations complement the text, bringing vibrancy and warmth to Piglet’s world. There are also sweet moments where the illustrator goes beyond embellishment, adding depth to Piglet’s experiences - these often occur on those spreads where poetry exercises and ideas are shared. These moments of love and exploration encourage readers to look closely, inviting them to discover something new with each reading—just like a poem.
The book’s most powerful quality is its ability to demystify poetry, revealing it as a vessel for holding thoughts, emotions, and observations. Taylor gently emphasises that there’s no right or wrong way to write a poem, making it a wonderful tool for inspiring creativity and self-expression. Both instructional and inspiring, this book is an ideal choice for young readers ready to explore the world of poetry, offering them the encouragement to find their own voices and the joy of capturing their unique experiences on paper.
April 30, 2025
Poetry is an essential skill for young children. It helps them develop language skills and creativity while also encouraging word play and exploring the rhythm of words and sentences. Poetry can also help kids learn to read and comprehend, especially when a poem rhymes. On this last day of Poetry Month, I hope you choose to expose your child or classroom to different types of poetry and maybe even write a few poems together.
With a story and a how-to guide for writing poems, Piglet, his mom, and his friend Squirrel get together to have fun, play, and create a few poems together. The how-to guide allows the reader to join in and create poems just like Piglet does. From a puddle poem to a comparison poem to a made-up poem to an If-I-Was poem, kids will learn how easy it can be to create their own poem. The final poem is a perfect heartfelt poem for kids to write for their Mom, Dad, Grandparent, or teacher.
In a puddle poem, Piglet throws a rock into a puddle, and suddenly words pop up like “Sunshiny, Fresh, Earth, Wet, Sploshing, and Puddle“. All those words describe a puddle and give the reader a visual and sensational experience when hearing the words. Using circles and spokes out from the circle while creating helps kids see the poem come together.
Throughout the book, Piglet, his mom, and Squirrel explore and play while creating poems. Kids will love the story and the illustrations and will find that they want to write poems just like Piglet does. Piglet makes writing fun in this great new children’s book that encourages a love of poetry.
With a story and a how-to guide for writing poems, Piglet, his mom, and his friend Squirrel get together to have fun, play, and create a few poems together. The how-to guide allows the reader to join in and create poems just like Piglet does. From a puddle poem to a comparison poem to a made-up poem to an If-I-Was poem, kids will learn how easy it can be to create their own poem. The final poem is a perfect heartfelt poem for kids to write for their Mom, Dad, Grandparent, or teacher.
In a puddle poem, Piglet throws a rock into a puddle, and suddenly words pop up like “Sunshiny, Fresh, Earth, Wet, Sploshing, and Puddle“. All those words describe a puddle and give the reader a visual and sensational experience when hearing the words. Using circles and spokes out from the circle while creating helps kids see the poem come together.
Throughout the book, Piglet, his mom, and Squirrel explore and play while creating poems. Kids will love the story and the illustrations and will find that they want to write poems just like Piglet does. Piglet makes writing fun in this great new children’s book that encourages a love of poetry.
March 28, 2025
Our friend Piglet, sometimes with his BFF Squirrel, goes on five different adventures to explore five different ways to write a poem. Each vignette is followed by instructions on how the reader can try writing a similar poem, along with writing tips from the author.
I was quite charmed by this picture book that makes writing poetry more approachable for younger students. I think this could be used as a mentor text for a poetry unit for elementary, middle, and even high school students. The illustrations are also sweet, perfectly capturing the innocence of childhood and childlike wonder at the world around them.
I was quite charmed by this picture book that makes writing poetry more approachable for younger students. I think this could be used as a mentor text for a poetry unit for elementary, middle, and even high school students. The illustrations are also sweet, perfectly capturing the innocence of childhood and childlike wonder at the world around them.
March 31, 2025
You’re a Poet is a book brimming with inspiration for beginning poets. Readers follow Piglet, his Mom and Dad, and his best friend Squirrel on a series of adventures that result in unique poems. Each of the book’s five chapters features an introductory story, instructions for writing your own poem, and “writing secrets” (tips for writing better poems). Budding poets can try their hand at writing a “Puddle Poem” (creating a word association web), a “Comparing” poem, “A Making-a-Person-Out-of-Something” poem, an “If-I-Was” poem, or an “I-Would-Give-You” poem. Sean Taylor has done an excellent job here of making poetry simple, accessible, and fun. Instead of focusing on naming types of poems and the figurative language that defines them, Taylor simply shows how we naturally turn to language to communicate our experiences to others. With Piglet, he makes word finding and poem-making seem fun and effortless. “It’s just a few words, but they’re true words,” Piglet says in the first story. His mom chimes in: “They were true words for you. And they made me feel something true, too!” In another chapter, his dad asks Piglet how he made up his poem. Piglet says: “I just thought of the best words to say what I was feeling.” This book is a fantastic resource for reluctant and eager poets alike! Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
April 28, 2025
First sentence: It was bright. It was warm. And Piglet's mom said it would be a good day to go for a walk up the hill.
Premise/plot: You're A Poet wears many hats. You're a Poet IS a fictional story starring a young pig, Piglet, who discovers through the help of his family that he is a poet, that he has a gift for words. It isn't just one fictional story but a series of stories. So one could say perhaps that in some ways it is a chapter book as well. You're a Poet is a nonfiction book teaching children HOW to write their own poems. The fictional stories are the jumping off point. But step by step instructions follow each story. These bonus activities are for children and don't always use the technical poetry terms, however, they are for the most part meaty activities.
My thoughts: This one would be a good fit, in my opinion, for elementary aged students. I don't necessarily see it as a read aloud as is, though one could just read the fictional stories. I take that back--slightly. I think if teachers are teaching a poetry unit, then I think they could read the story and share/teach/do the activity perhaps breaking up the book over a series of lessons. OR a teacher could have this one in the classroom for students to read on their own. I talk about school instruction, but I am not excluding homeschool environments. (That is never my intent).
Premise/plot: You're A Poet wears many hats. You're a Poet IS a fictional story starring a young pig, Piglet, who discovers through the help of his family that he is a poet, that he has a gift for words. It isn't just one fictional story but a series of stories. So one could say perhaps that in some ways it is a chapter book as well. You're a Poet is a nonfiction book teaching children HOW to write their own poems. The fictional stories are the jumping off point. But step by step instructions follow each story. These bonus activities are for children and don't always use the technical poetry terms, however, they are for the most part meaty activities.
My thoughts: This one would be a good fit, in my opinion, for elementary aged students. I don't necessarily see it as a read aloud as is, though one could just read the fictional stories. I take that back--slightly. I think if teachers are teaching a poetry unit, then I think they could read the story and share/teach/do the activity perhaps breaking up the book over a series of lessons. OR a teacher could have this one in the classroom for students to read on their own. I talk about school instruction, but I am not excluding homeschool environments. (That is never my intent).
April 8, 2025
YOU'RE A POET: WAYS TO START WRITING POEMS is an ambitious picture book. It sets out to teach young children about poetry and offer a launch pad for young poet's to get starting writing their own poem. I think it does a solid job of accomplishing these goals. The book is broken up into 5 sections or chapters. Each one starts with a short story about Piglet. The stories are sweet and show how poems can be inspired by regular experiences like going on a walk and stomping in a puddle. Then the author prompts the reader to write a poem like Piglet did in the story. The directions are straight forward and simple to follow. The next spread offers a "Writing Secret" which encourages the reader (now a writer too) to think a little more about words or what they are writing. Without ever using the words this book covers things like personification and similes while keeping the tone light and playful. I think young kids who like to write would love being gifted this book, but I also think you could use it with a classroom. Each chapter could be it's own lesson with a chance to practice together and then on your own or with a partner. Older students could use it to review poetry terms they've learned and would still enjoy the playful writing prompts.
April 16, 2025
The endearing Piglet, the story’s narrative protagonist, guides the young poet through step-by-step written and visual instructions on how to construct a poem. With both written and visual aides, these steps are easy to follow and are more accessible. I love how the author blends a story and a how-to guide. These poetry-writing lessons are a great tool for the classroom as this can help to make listening to, understanding and creating poetry less daunting. This book is delightful, engaging and encouraging. Best of all is Piglet. He and all the other illustrations are utterly whimsical. They are hand-drawn in ink and then colored with gouache, an opaque, water-soluble paint made from crushed up rocks, mud, insects, and other natural pigments. The characters leap, swirl and dance of each 2-page spread bringing each poetry lesson to life. I especially love the spreads of “secrets” on how to enrich your poetry. Very cute indeed!
January 20, 2025
What a perfect way to engage children in writing poetry creatively - particularly young or reluctant learners. Having spent some time considering how poetry can be better delivered to our youngest learners, I think this story may be the perfect gateway to exciting and playful word play.
This gorgeous narrative, led by Piglet, introduces children to five new means of word play. Throughout each section, a new poetry style is introduced in a playful short story. Within this, Piglet recites a new style of poetry. The narrator then steps in to directly address the reader and how they could write verse in a similar style. I especially loved that the text included tips and tricks for the reader.
I especially loved how accessible this text is, ensuring that poetry is demystified and and becomes playful for children. I can't wait to discuss this text at book club!
This gorgeous narrative, led by Piglet, introduces children to five new means of word play. Throughout each section, a new poetry style is introduced in a playful short story. Within this, Piglet recites a new style of poetry. The narrator then steps in to directly address the reader and how they could write verse in a similar style. I especially loved that the text included tips and tricks for the reader.
I especially loved how accessible this text is, ensuring that poetry is demystified and and becomes playful for children. I can't wait to discuss this text at book club!
November 10, 2025
Every young writer or those who teach or mentor them, can have a delightful time introducing poetry by using this book, the exact pages, or just an inspiring piece along the way of reading it. Sean Taylor used Piglet, sometimes Mom and Dad, then along the way, friend Squirrel, to introduce numerous ways that poems can BE! These include "A Puddle Poem", "The Breeze is My Friend", and "If I Was A Tree", and more! It is for younger writers, yet I can imagine changing some of the experiences to fit middle grade poets, too. It's clever and with Sam Usher's illuminating illustrations, poetry will appear from everyone! You'll enjoy the ideas of having adventures as Piglet and Squirrel do, while writing, and while seeing what Usher does to help inspire the words! It's terrific!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for my copy!
Thanks to Candlewick Press for my copy!
April 16, 2024
A blend of non-fiction and fiction, Sean Taylor has created a simple manual to explain poetry and writing poetry to early elementary students. The book switches between cozy storytelling and poetry writing how-to. Explaining poetry and what it “is” to elementary students is fairly difficult, but this book makes that problem less messy and gives them a way to voice what poetry is and how they can create their own. I think this title is not only cute (adorable artwork!), helpful to learn about poetry, and helpful to write their own verse, but it has a fun and compelling narrative that shows characters students will enjoy. I absolutely love it and can’t wait to buy a copy for our library and all the teachers it will benefit in our school!
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC.
April 3, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for this book; I am happy to share my honest thoughts!
📖 Book Review 📖 In a world where every day feels like like we could all scream our heads off, I think we all could use a way to express our self in a healthy, cathartic manner! Sure, You’re a Poet is beautifully written and illustrated for the younger crowd, we could all gain something from this simply inspiring book. With relatably endearing short stories and tips on how to craft poems, this book lays it all out for hopeful writers of all ages. Grab a writing utensil, some paper, your imagination, and some emotions and get ready to lay it all down!
📖 Book Review 📖 In a world where every day feels like like we could all scream our heads off, I think we all could use a way to express our self in a healthy, cathartic manner! Sure, You’re a Poet is beautifully written and illustrated for the younger crowd, we could all gain something from this simply inspiring book. With relatably endearing short stories and tips on how to craft poems, this book lays it all out for hopeful writers of all ages. Grab a writing utensil, some paper, your imagination, and some emotions and get ready to lay it all down!
May 4, 2025
This is a brilliant introduction to not only the art form of poetry but a "how-to" to help children begin to write their own poems. Through a series of short vignettes, Piglet discovers the power of words and poetry and explains where to find inspiration and how to begin to write. I love everything about this book and its message.
January 17, 2026
Loved this charming blend of story and how-to. Usher's illustrations add a nice, light feel. So many writing tool images (pencils, erasers, paper, tape) make their presence known on the endpapers and throughout the story; the call to write by author Taylor is thus a visual and fun game.
February 2, 2026
What a great resource to teach about poetry and how to "make" poems.
We made it through the first section on "puddle poems" but did not progress much from there. I think we will definitely be revisiting this one as kids get older to learn about poetry.
We made it through the first section on "puddle poems" but did not progress much from there. I think we will definitely be revisiting this one as kids get older to learn about poetry.
March 28, 2025
👧🏻reviews: this is so cute and funny. Piglet is everyone of us when it comes to pursuing our dreams to be a poet. Piglet is a cutie pie and colorful illustrations to make this book a great read.
July 24, 2025
A wonderful and easy way to introduce poetry to a very young audience.
August 11, 2025
Loved this. Piglet, through little stories, shows us 5 ways with tips to write poems.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews