World Make Way: New Poems Inspired by Art from The Metropolitan Museum edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins

                     During this unprecedented time in history it is easy to forget what day it is or in my case what month. I totally forgot that it is April, which means it is National Poetry Month.  At this point in time I am missing The Met Bookshop even more, it is my little corner of a great institution where I get to talk about things I love. While I enjoy talking about the museum itself, I love talking about books even more.  I especially love to talk about children's books.  I miss making book displays and introducing visitors and staff to all the wonderful titles we have to offer.  When visitors come into the store asking for a book that can introduce The Met to a child, it makes my day.  We have so many books to choose from that I take them to look at each and every one of them.

World Make Way: New Poems Inspired by Art from The Metropolitan Museum of Art   and edited by acclaimed poet Lee Bennett Hopkins is one of my favorite books to recommend.  It was one of the first books published after I started working at The Met which makes it very special in my memory.  More importantly, it is a wonderful book for the whole family.  It's the ideal gift for a family that has children of different ages.  Poetry is perfect....it is neither too young nor too old.

I also love this book because the poets involved really did write about actual art from The Met.  When the book was first released we celebrated by inviting a few poets to speak about the source of their inspiration.  Hearing the joy each poet had in writing their poetry was truly special.  Though Mr Hopkins has sadly passed away,  I am grateful that one of his last anthologies was for The Met. World Make Way is a beautiful legacy. 

Tomorrow Most Likely by Dave Eggers illustrated by Lane Smith

What a strange world we are living in today.  A year ago who would have thought that the world would be in lockdown a year later?  It is hard to imagine the world going back to the way we were. While this is a new normal, we will hopefully have a newer normal soon.

Tomorrow Most Likely by Dave Eggers, illustrated by Lane Smith and published by Chronicle Books came out one year ago.  It is categorized  as a bedtime story but not a typical bedtime story.  I think it makes a perfect book for kids in this new world we live in.  The little boy in the story is tasked with thinking of what "tomorrow" can bring,  how it can bring adventure and wonder with the promise of a new day.  In todays environment it is important for children to realize that things will get better and that at some point they will be able to go out and have adventures with their friends. They will once again laugh and play and learn. I was struck by the simple text and whimsical thoughts plus I have always loved Lane Smith's illustrations. He never disappoints.
I know it is be a spoiler but the meaning and message of the book can be wrapped up in the final thoughts of the story: "Tomorrow most likely/will be a great day/because you are in it".


Again during these unsettling times this is a message we all need---that every day is great because you are in it and we shouldn't give up on dreams of a wondrous tomorrow!