Woods & Words The Story of Poet Mary Oliver

This inspiring and enriching picture book biography explores the life and work of beloved poet Mary Oliver in its own uniquely lyrical way, shining a light on Mary’s belief that there are treasures and poems all around us in nature waiting to be discovered.

Young Mary Oliver spent all the time she could outdoors noticing natural wonders like alluring birdsong, velvety leaves, and glittering beams of sunlight. There were treasures all around if you paid attention. Eventually, she began writing about those treasures, filling up stacks of notebooks and capturing the world around her. There were always poems if you paid attention.

As Mary grew up and gained acclaim for her poetry, some critics said her poems were too simple, too ordinary. But Mary believed poems were for everyone. So she wrapped herself in woods and in woods, and kept on searching for what else and where else a poem might be…

Sara Holly Ackerman is an early childhood educator and children’s book author based in Brooklyn, New York. She is the author of the picture book Not Just the Driver!, illustrated by Robert Neubecker, and Woods & Words, illustrated by Naoko Stoop. Visit her at SaraHollyAckerman.com.

Naoko Stoop is an artist based in Brooklyn, New York. Her love of drawing began when she was a young child growing up in Japan. She uses found materials including plywood and brown paper bags as her canvas. She is the creator of picture books including Red Knit Cap Girl, which was a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book, and the illustrator Woods & Words by Sara Holly Ackerman and more.