MAGNIFICENT WORDS TO LIVE BY

In their debut children’s book, Brower and Martin select a single word for each letter of the alphabet as part of their poetry about living a life full of compassion and integrity.

Tackling such complex concepts as consequence, focus, moderation and negotiating, Brower and Martin give each topic a thoughtful poetic definition. With considerable care in word choice, the authors convert simple words into a meditative exercise by distilling each idea into pleasing, cogent rhymes. In many cases, the poems simply illuminate lessons, such as “kindness”: “It’s showing concern when another’s in pain / And offering help though you’ve nothing to gain” or “yourself”: “You, yourself, and only you can build you or can break you / No matter how you’re treated, in the end it’s you who’ll make you.” To strengthen comprehension, a few empty pages at the end urge readers to write about ways the lessons might be enacted, thus turning the book from an exercise in learning into one of sharing and growing as well. However familiar the words may be, the authors find ways to make the concepts fresh by bringing new perspectives. Although categorized as a children’s book, the inspiring poems and lovely, full-color photography of people, places, animals and landmarks will also appeal to an older audience, even if the connection between the image and poetry isn’t always immediately clear. The poetry’s soothing meter makes this collection a perfect bedtime read and one that can be revisited as age brings a new understanding of the noble sentiments.

An inspiring poetry book for all ages.