How to Write a Poem
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Begin
with a question
like an acorn
waiting for spring.
From this first stanza, readers are invited to pay attentionโand to see that paying attention itself is poetry. Kwame Alexander and Deanna Nikaidoโs playful text and Melissa Sweetโs dynamic, inventive artwork are paired together to encourage readers to listen, feel, and discover the words that dance in the world around themโpoems just waiting to be written down.
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Kwame Alexander is a poet, an educator, and the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty-five books, including his Newbery Medalโwinning middle grade novel The Crossover. Some of his other works include Booked, which was longlisted for the National Book Award; The Playbook: 52 Rules to Aim, Shoot, and Score in This Game Called Life; Swing; the picture books How to Read a Book and How to Write a Poem (coauthored with Deanna Nikaido), both illustrated by Melissa Sweet; and The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, which was longlisted for the National Book Award and won the Caldecott Medal, a Newbery Honor, and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. He is a regular contributor to NPRโs Morning Edition, currently serving as their poet ambassador. He lives in Virginia with his family. Visit his website at kwamealexander.com.
Melissa Sweet has illustrated more than one hundred books, including Kwame Alexanderโs How to Read a Book and How to Write a Poem, and has written and illustrated her own work. Her work has been featured in magazines, on greeting cards, and on living room walls. Melissa has received the Caldecott Honor Medal twice, among many other awards, including the Sibert Award, and is a New York Times bestselling author and artist. Melissa lives in Maine. You can visit her at melissasweet.net.
