by Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Georgia Heard
illustrated by Deborah Freedman
Astra Publishing / Wordsong, 2023
ISBN 978-1-63592-762-7 (hardcover)

This collection of poems, creatively presented in the format of an allegorical house, will engage anyone who has ever wondered “why?” as it shows young readers that wonder is everywhere—in yourself and in the world around you.

Welcome to the Wonder House, a place to explore the cornerstone of every great thinker—a sense of wonder. This Wonder House has many rooms—one for nature, one for quiet, and one for mystery, among others. Each room is filled with poems and objects covering a wide variety of STEAM topics, including geology, paleontology, physics, astronomy, creative writing, and drawing, that will inspire curiosity in young readers.

This enchanting book written by award-winning poets Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Georgia Heard both sparks wonder and shows readers how to kindle it in themselves.

Reviews

"Crisp and concise, with internal rhymes and alliteration, these poems beg to be shared and read aloud. Freedman's illustrations complement and add whimsical details, including a stargazing penguin and a scaly, red dragon glimpsed amidst a jumble of blocks...Thoughtful readers will relish the figurative language and imagery, and pore over the well-crafted illustrations. An excellent resource for teachers looking to inspire students in an array of topics, from science and nature studies to creative writing." (School Library Journal, starred review)

"Set within 12 ethereal 'rooms, ' 29 poems contemplate the wonders of Earth, sea, sky, and beyond...The poets infuse their verse with vibrant, child-accessible imagery....This slim volume teems with STEAM extensions, from exploring poetic forms and devices to investigating scientific facts and hypotheses. A beautifully conceived invitation: to look, see, wonder." (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

"Twenty-nine poems in a lovely mix of forms and styles populate this book, presented as a 'house' with twelve double-page-spread 'rooms. '...Freedman's intriguing mixed-media illustrations use wide washes of color in shades of blue, green, gold, or purple with subtle hints to the objects referenced in the poems." (The Horn Book)