Julie Fogliano, Children’s Poet

Julie Fogliano’s poetry for children expects them to read between the lines, to appreciate a delicate, spare language. And it works. She understands the essence of childhood.

*A House That Once Was by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Lane Smith. Roaring Brook Press, 2018, 48 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 0-4

Recommended for: ages 2-10

Once my friend and I stumbled onto an old cottage in the middle of the woods. My housemate and I were seniors in college, and we lived not far from this magical place. Who had lived here? Why did we not know about this house? What happened to the people who used to live there? We tromped all through the little place, pondering all the things.

Fogliano captures that feeling perfectly in this deceptively simple picture book. Smith’s illustrations ably echo the mystery. Two children discover an old house and climb through a window to explore. They ponder some of the same questions I asked when I discovered my own old house. You’ll be inspired to head out on your own adventure after reading (or to seek out historical ruins that might be lurking nearby). Watch for the little blue bird in the illustrations!

Overall Rating: 4.75

• Worldview/moral value: 4.5
• Artistic/literary value: 5

*My Best Friend by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki. Atheneum, 2020. 32 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 0-4

Recommended for: ages 0-4

Has your child ever come up to you after playing on the playground, wanting to tell you everything about her new best friend? And then, it turns out, your child doesn’t even know that child’s name? It certainly happened to me when my children were young!

Once again, Fogliano captures a moment of childlikeness with tenderness and delight: a first “best friend.” The narrator is reflecting on this new friendship of hers throughout the book, realizing that they can be friends even if they don’t like the same ice cream flavor, and that they can play pretend together, and that they can sit quietly together … except that at the end of the day, she doesn’t know her friend’s name! But that’s okay because she can ask her tomorrow.

What a delight when children are friends. Names aren’t as important as we adults think they are. The essence of friendship transcends names. Tamaki’s limited palette works wonders with this gentle, poetic tale. Although the idea of friendship is not limited to young girls, little girls are the best audience for this charming book. Look for it in your local library, or find it on Amazon at the link below.

Overall Rating: 5

• Worldview/moral value: 4.75
• Artistic/literary value: 5

Just in Case You Want to Fly by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Christian Robinson. Neal Porter, 2019. 40 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 0-8

Recommended for: ages 0-8

Fogliano offers up the impossible: flying! But she grounds it in the very ordinary, offering the reader all the things he or she might need in case they want to fly. Does your back itch? Do you need a feather? What about an umbrella?

This is not Fogliano’s best, partly because it’s not as story driven or poetry-focused as her others. Still, it’s a fun read aloud. Robinson’s vibrant illustrations add much to the cheery, fun experience of dreaming of the impossible.

Overall Rating: 3.75

• Worldview/moral value: 3.75
• Artistic/literary value: 3.75

I Don’t Care by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Molly Idle and Juan Martinez-Neal. Neal Porter, 2022, 40 pages.

Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8

Recommended for: ages 4-8

Two little girls, each speaking to the other (in poetry, not with speech tags and such). I don’t care if you don’t like my singing, think my clothes are funny, or that my ears are too big…. I do care that you like to have picnics, that you smile, … that we’re friends.

A summary can’t express the rhythm of this text nor do the illustrations justice. Two real life best friends (and talented illustrators!) drew the pictures together, and they complement Fogliano’s spare text beautifully. Two favorite colors (teal and yellow) are the only colors, but they mix and separate in ways that subtly add to the text. This is a lively celebration of friendship, but the drawings invite quiet contemplation.

Overall Rating: 4.25

• Worldview/moral value: 4.25
• Artistic/literary value: 4.25

Read more about our ratings here.

Also at Redeemed Reader:

• Review: One of my favorite Julie Fogliano titles is When Green Becomes Tomatoes. Another Fogliano gem that’s perfect for spring-time and growing things is And Then It’s Spring.
• Review: Marshmallow Clouds is another child-friendly poetry gem. We gave it a starred review!
• Resource: Browse our Poetry book reviews for more books to read with your littles!

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Purchase A House That Once Was from Amazon.

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