A
Year of Nature Poems is a stunning gift book that draws on the seasons
of the Northern Hemisphere. The glorious decorative illustrations begin on the
covers where images of nature abound.
Each month is allocated a double spread
with a poem that signifies and salutes the season it reflects. A factual
paragraph describes the main subject within the month.
January remembers a legend about flocks of warring
starlings in Ireland during the 1600s. Black images of the birds in flight play
against an orange sky as the sun sinks behind the hills.
February has environmental elements and refers to the declining amphibians due to Man’s progressive construction.
March is an ode to the 12 types of daffodil. Their
names and description fill a single page while the opposite side shows a full
page image of daffodils amongst a forest of trees. Butterflies and a rabbit
share the joyous yellow blooms.
April is the
undecided month. Rain and strong winds are caused by unnatural climate
change and erratic weather patterns. On the contrary, May sings her song to the
incredible Mayfly and her evolutionary pattern of life.
June heralds the Summer Solstice when the sun is at
its highest, while July brings an onslaught of jelly fish to the beach.
August is fruit season while September reminds us
of red poisonous toadstools, fairytales and goblins.
October embraces autumn, abscission, log fires and
dormancy while chestnuts and empty spiky cases cover the ground beneath and
around.
November sees the leafless trees enter a type of
hibernation. December pushes it away to accommodate the snow that forces the
recollection of memories past, as the white covering brings home the fragility
of life.
Author: Joseph Coelho
Illustrator: Kelly Louise Judd
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $22.99
Publication Date: January 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781786035820
For ages: 8+
Type: Poetry/Picture Book
