Mary Oliver, Holding on to Wonder

By Erin Frankel, Jasu Hu (Illustrator)

A young poet finds inspiration in nature's silent whispers.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 146 ratings

48 pages

$18.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Young Mary Oliver is captivated by nature's silent wonders, sparking her lifelong journey into poetry. As she explores the forest, she questions how the unspeaking world speaks to her heart. This enchanting tale reveals how Mary's childhood curiosity and love for nature shaped her into a celebrated poet. With lush illustrations, this story invites readers to discover the magic of words and the beauty of the natural world. How did Mary's wonder transform into poetry that resonates with so many? Dive into her world and find out.

From the publisher

ABA 2025 Best Book for Young ReadersCCBC Choices 2026 This lyrical picture book biography of beloved American poet Mary Oliver shows young readers ages 7 - 10 how her love of nature and sense of wonder inspired her art. Young Mary Oliver was enthralled by nature. In the forest, she wondered about the birds and the lilies and the water in the stream–about all the things that cannot speak yet somehow spoke to Mary. She wondered, too, about poetry, about how words pieced together filled her with light and how some poems felt like they were written just for her. How could this be? Author Erin Frankel shows how Mary Oliver held on to that sense of wonder from her childhood, channeling it into some of the most beloved poems of the past hundred years. Illustrator Jasu Hu’s lush nature scenes beautifully complement Frankel’s soulful writing about the creative process. Together text and art honor Mary Oliver and her astonishing poetry.

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