This Is Us: Essential Poems for Young People (ed Libby Hathorn & Jude Fell, illus Tull Suwannakit, NLA Publishing)

In This Is Us: Essential Poems for Young People, editors Libby Hathorn and Jude Fell bring together writers from around Australia in a companion volume to the enduringly popular This Is Home. This latest collection, for readers aged 10+, is a poetic love letter to the people, settings, sounds and experiences that shape the places we call home. The book can be navigated by chapters, such as ‘Connect!’, ‘Look!’ and ‘Celebrate!’, or by the type of poem, whether you ‘want a giggle’, are ‘looking for adventure’, or ‘long to be immersed in nature’. The selected poems invite readers to consider different ways of defining connection to lineage and land. Moments and memories are paired with Tull Suwannakit’s vibrant and dreamy full-colour watercolour illustrations, each carefully tailored to enhance the words on the page. Beloved writers, including Jackie French and Banjo Patterson, sit alongside newer voices such as Evelyn Araluen and Hasib Hourani. An inspired choice is the inclusion of Sarah Mansour’s striking ‘My Australia’ as the second poem. Its exploration of community and culture highlights Australia’s diversity – even in the face of adversity – and sets the tone for what’s to come. Perfect for primary school classrooms, libraries and home bookshelves, This Is Us will encourage a new generation of poets and artists to share their own creative musings.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Vuma Phiri is a Zambian-born storyteller. Their poetry was recently published in the Centre for Stories anthology Under the Paving Stones, the Beach. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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Category: Reviews