Eloise Greenfield’s exceptional poetry pays tribute to the richness of words. Twenty-one poems, some reprinted from earlier books, others appearing for the first time, celebrate the power of poetic language. Part I focuses on poets and poems, including thoughts on new babies, music, friendship, and family. Part II, titled “In the Land,” looks directly at words as they are used in stories, books, jokes, riddles, and poetry. In this picture book illustrated with sewn fabric collages, a renowned poet invites children join her in “... the land of words, / for I am at home there, / and never leave / for long.” (Ages 6–11)

The words can come from a memory, or a dream, or something I see or hear or wonder about or imagine. . . . Maybe there's a place where words live, where our minds and hearts can go and find them when we want to write or read. I like to imagine that there is such a place. I call it "The Land of Words."

In this collection of twenty-one poems, National Council of Teachers of English Excellence in Poetry for Children Award winner Eloise Greenfield journeys to a place where words, creativity, and imagination abound. Featuring the poems "In the Land of Words," "Books," and "Poem," as well as favorites such as "Nathaniel's Rap" and "Way Down in the Music," this tribute to the written word invites readers to look within themselves and discover what inspires them.