How to Read a Book

Poet Kwame Alexander and illustrator Melissa Sweet celebrate the wonder of reading in this vivid, joyous collaboration.

Alexander compares opening a book to sectioning and eating a delicious clementine. This is a good start, but some of Alexander's poetic choices are odd. For example, he starts off by mentioning reading under uncommon trees such as "a black tupelo or dawn redwood," then doesn't return to the "tree" motif at all. And why did Alexander throw in Langston Hughes's preference for stoop-sitting (as opposed to sitting under trees) seemingly at random?

Sweet's playful illustrations accentuate Alexander’s poetic imagery through their vibrant colors, most notably orange and fuchsia (not my favorite color combination). Mixed show more media techniques add contrast and intrigue to the artwork, although, I'll admit, I found the recurrent use of of printed pages from an aged copy of Bambi distracting.

Like many children's books, the book ends with an admonition to "go to sleep," but how can one sleep with all that orange and fuchsia on one's mind?

I liked this book better before I gave it much thought. Nonetheless, this book does a good job of describing the appeal of reading as a feast for the imagination. show less

This book is not just a poem about how to read a book, but really something entirely more. Its a whole body experience that comes from reading through the mind, the eyes, the soul, the heart, and the imagination. This book relates reading to opening a clementine orange and the experience of eating a juicy delicious fruit and its similarities it has to the experience of how someone should read and enjoy a book. In this poetry the author takes the reader on a journey through the joys of reading and what it means to truly enjoy a book. Melissa Sweet’s illustrations are a visual experience of its own. The complex collage art of the illustrations will enchant and delight the reader with added treats along the way.

The author and illustrator both shine in this inspired picture book. It begs repeated readings. It was after reading the poem out loud, that the wonder of the words sprang forth. That is the way with me and poetry. The collage art is a perfect match. Both the words and the art are open enough to accept what you bring to the reading. This book is such a joy.

Kwame Alexander, the recipient of many awards and honors and the author of 32 books, many of which have also won awards, wrote the poem that forms the narrative of this book. It is a testament to the joy and power of reading.

He advises readers to “get real cozy between the covers and let your fingers wonder as they wander…” He suggests they “squeeze every morsel of each plump line until the last drop of magic drips from the infinite sky….”

“Don’t rush through,” he admonishes: “Your eyes need time to taste. Your soul needs room to bloom.”

Melissa Sweet adds a creative mix of collage and watercolor illustrations which include neon colors. She writes in a note at the end of the book that she was inspired by a warn-out show more copy of the beloved children’s book Bambi as well as a poem about poetry by Nikki Giovanni. Intermittent gatefolds mimic the surprises awaiting readers as they delve into books.

Evaluation: The combination of Alexander’s evocative poetry and Sweet’s playful and detailed artwork provides a treat for both the eyes and ears. Readers (age 4 and up) will find much to discover on every page, and will want to go through the book over and over. show less

Beautifully presented and very poetic, but my kids had a hard time appreciating it.

This book simplifies what it means to be able to read by describing the beauty of reading with metaphors and similes. The use of these literary elements help simplify and make reading seem like a less daunting task than it really is. Overall this book is a fun way to engage students in an English classroom to inspire them to read more.

This book speaks joy. Joy of the written word, and joy of the amazing ways that those words can be illustrated. A must read for any child old enough to understand the joy of stories, and language and how powerful a book can be.