Taylor Mali

The Teachers I Loved Best. Taylor Mali. Illustrated by Erica Root. 2023. [March] 32 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: Easy teachers who gave easy tests
are not the teachers I loved the best.
No, I loved the teachers who made me work hard
in the classroom, the science lab, the theater, and the schoolyard.
Those are the teachers who stand out from all the rest.
Those are the teachers that I loved the best.

Premise/plot: This picture book celebrates teachers. It is written in rhyming verse. show more It particularly pays tribute to the arts--art teachers, music teachers, theater teachers, etc. The narrator of the poem concludes that the best teachers are the ones who love their students and are loved in return.

My thoughts: I wanted to love, love, love this one. I didn't quite. Not because I don't love and appreciate teachers. (I do). I just thought the rhythm was slightly off throughout this picture book written in verse. Just a personal opinion, I know. At times it felt a little clunky. Still, I appreciate the premise of this one. show less

This chapbook broke my heart. What makes it even more heartbreaking is that the departed belovèd's name is Rebecca. 😩 Just plunge that knife in and twist.

This book was fantastic and really challenged my preconceived notions of the teaching profession, a must read for anyone considering becoming a teacher, who is already an educator, or simply wants to read a good book!

If you have not read anything by Taylor Mali or even heard of Taylor Mali, then you need to read this book right away! Thsi man is a genius when it comes to spoken word and if you ever get the chance to hear him live, do it! He used to be a teacher and a majority of his poems reflect his experience with children or as an educator. This is why I can relate so well to his poems. He also has a way of writing that hits you so clearly and moves you in a way that is inspiring. He is such an show more amazing writer! show less